April 10th, 2024 at 02:13 am

UK Government Makes Radical Changes to Family and Work Visa Requirements 2024

Were you aware that the UK government has changed the regulations about work and family visas? Read up on the most recent and upcoming adjustments.

The UK government announced new laws in December 2023 in response to the high amount of 745,000 migrants in 2022. To reduce the levels of unsustainable legal migration, this policy seeks to decrease net migration and address visa misuse.

What are the New Immigration Rules?

As per the BBC, the majority of professionals who are thinking about taking a job in the UK have to apply for a visa using the points-based system. But starting in the spring of 2024, they will want a better pay offer—from £26,200 to £38,700—for visa applications. This is an almost 50% increase in the professional wage thresholds.

It’s vital to remember that some positions, like those in health and social services, are exempt from this increase. Additionally, foreign workers are prohibited from entering the nation with their dependents.

UK’s New Work and Family Visa Rules in 2024

According to the official government website, the majority of the changes will take effect on April 11, 2024, with some already in place. Let’s examine the five changes that the government has declared will occur.

The minimum sponsored income criterion for the Skilled Worker Visa has increased from £26,200 to £38,700. This does not, however, apply to social workers or educators who are employed on the national pay scale under the health and care worker visa.
Additionally, social workers are prohibited from traveling with partners or children on their visas.

Next, modifications have been made to the Shortage Occupation List to reduce the number of supported positions for skilled worker visas that pay less than the minimum wage.
The minimum income required for a spouse partner visa is also changing; it will eventually rise from £18,600 per year to £29,000 and £38,700.

There will also be a review of the Graduate Visa. For two years, foreign graduates of British universities are granted an unsponsored work permit.

When the new regulations take effect on these crucial dates, please remember them. The increase in the minimum wage for skilled workers will take effect on April 4, 2024. On April 11, 2024, the minimum salary required for a spouse and family visa will increase to £29,000. It will rise to £34,500 later in the year, and it will be approximately £38,700 by early 2025.

Home Secretary James has set a clever date for reporting on the Graduate Visa, with the review process already underway and due for May 14, 2024.

Guidelines for Migrants to Bring Family to the UK

The Home Office has made it clear that extensions requested after April 11, 2024, would not be impacted by the new threshold. If your spouse’s income is less than the new level of £29,000, we advise applying before the deadline.

Apply for UK Work Visas Before the Minimum Salary Requirement Surge In April 2024

The UK intends to modify its visa regulations once more. This time, the minimum salary criterion will increase. For the most recent information on UK immigration, this page is essential reading if you intend to work in the country.

The majority of future applicants will be significantly impacted by the significant increase in the going rate of occupation-based pay thresholds and the general salary criterion of £38,700. Those would be the candidates who would be eligible currently but would not be able to obtain a skilled worker visa after April 4, 2024.

It is therefore advised that employers screen potential hires now to avoid regrets later. Speaking of which, the government’s strategy for lowering net migration is reflected in these significant increases in salary thresholds. The complete scope of pay adjustments to work routes, including the scope of transitional arrangements, will be confirmed by the publishing of new immigration regulations, which are anticipated on March 14, 2024.

Additionally, after April 3rd, 2024, employees will not be able to transfer into or ask for extensions under the skilled worker category. Furthermore, we advise employers to give careful consideration to the immigration status of both prospective hires and current staff members during the hiring process.

Update on Care Workers

The £38,700 General threshold, which is recognized by exemptions for workers under the Health and Care Visa, does not apply to health and care workers. It is anticipated that this profession will be included in the updated immigration wage list, nevertheless.

Furthermore, regardless of the date on or after March 11, 2024, the health and care workers’ initial sponsored employment application will not be accepted for the entry of dependents. We advise workers who are raising families to apply before this becomes operative.

Individuals eligible for the partner route

Certain workers with limited immigration authority may no longer be eligible for the spouse route as of April 11, 2024, when the minimum income criterion is increased from £18,600 to £29,000. Furthermore, under the skilled worker group, an extra raise of £34,000 is scheduled for later in 2024, and an additional boost to 38,700 in early 2025. It is anticipated that these workers will not qualify for sponsorship in the same way