New Visa Rules for UK Skilled Workers

In a significant announcement to the House of Commons, Home Secretary James Cleverly outlined plans to curtail family, study, and work-related immigration, responding to official estimates indicating a record-level net migration of 745,000 in 2022. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, echoing recent sentiments, emphasized the need to reduce immigration to sustainable levels.

Key Points of the Five-Point Plan (Effective Spring 2024):

Skilled Worker Salary Increase:

• The minimum salary for foreign skilled workers will surge from £26,200 to £38,700, exempting the health and care sector.

Family and Spouse Visa Requirements:

• The minimum income requirement for spouse or family visas will see a substantial rise from £18,600 to £38,700.

Care Workers and Dependents:

• Care workers will be prohibited from bringing any dependents to the UK.

• Care firms must be registered with the Care Quality Commission to sponsor visas.

Shortage Occupation List Reforms:

• The Shortage Occupation List will undergo reforms, and the existing 20% salary discount for shortage occupations will be eliminated.

Student Visa Regulations:

• Rules governing students bringing family members to the UK will be tightened.

• The Migration Advisory Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the graduate visa route.

Public and Expert Reactions

The announcement of a significant increase in the minimum income requirement for spouse or family visas drew surprise and dismay on social media. Critics, including legal experts and non-profit organizations, expressed concerns about the potential impact on British citizens seeking to bring their partners to the UK. The non-profit organization Reunite Families UK conveyed being "beyond devastated" by the proposed increase, while political journalist Ian Dunt labeled it "an assault on mixed-nationality British families."

Political Response

Downing Street clarified that the objective of the new plan is to achieve the most substantial reduction in net migration on record. Home Secretary Cleverly asserted that these measures would render over 300,000 of the estimated 1.2 million people who moved to the UK in 2022 unable to do so.

In response, Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow Home Secretary, characterized the statement as an admission of years of failure by the Conservative government on immigration and the economy. Cooper highlighted the tripling of net migration as a result of government policies, accusing the Prime Minister of a 'chaotic panic' by opposing his own introduced policies.

As the government aims for a paradigm shift in immigration policy, the debate over the potential social and economic implications of these measures is likely to intensify in the coming months.

Sources:

https://www.ein.org.uk/news/government-announces-major-changes-work-related-immigration-raising-minimum-skilled-worker

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