The 2024 Changes to UK Immigration Rules

Five significant changes to UK immigration policies in 2024, each addressing a different problem, will be made These cover family reunion, minimum income conditions, and qualification standards for trained professionals.

• Dependants for Social Care Workers: Children of social workers and spouses will no longer be allowed to travel with them on visas.
• Skilled Worker Visa Salary Increase: Previously starting from £26,200, a skilled worker visa now requires a minimum pay of £38,700. The national pay scale for education workers and individuals with a Health and Care Worker visa is exempt from this rise, though.
• Shortage Occupation List Changes: There will be big changes to the shortage occupation list, which is meant to make it easier to support foreign workers who make less than the minimum wage.
• Spouse/Partner Visa Minimum Income: Partner’s or spouse’s visa starting at £18,600, the minimum income needed to sponsor a spouse or partner visa will climb in phases from £29,000 to over £34,500 and lastly reach over £38,700.
• Graduate Visa Review: The Migration Advisory Committee will evaluate the Graduate visa, which is a two-year unsponsored work permit for abroad graduates of British universities.

Although the actual dates of implementation vary, the original claim was that the improvements will be performed in “spring.”

• Care Worker Family Ban: Expected to take effect “as soon as possible in the new year” of 2024.
• Skilled Worker Salary Increase: Set for April 2024.
• Shortage Occupation List Revisions: Also scheduled for April 2024.
• Spouse/Partner Visa Income Hike: The income threshold will increase to £29,000 in “spring 2024,” then rise further, reaching around £38,700 by “early 2025.”
• Graduate Visa Review: Commencing in January and possibly concluding by “late 2024.”

Will there be advance warning of the changes? The government typically follows a convention of at least 21 days between laying out the statement of changes and the new rules taking effect. However, this is not a legal requirement, leaving some room for uncertainty. MPs won’t vote to approve, reject, or amend the changes unless there is active opposition within 40 days. These alterations automatically become law unless challenged.

The government’s primary rationale for these changes is the belief that immigration levels are “far too high.” With a provisional estimate of 745,000 net migrants in the 12 months ending December 2022, the government contends that implementing these alterations would have prevented around 300,000 individuals from entering the UK during that period.

If you or someone you know is extending a spouse/partner visa after spring 2024, rest assured that the £29,000 threshold applies only to first-time applicants. Those with an existing family visa or applying before the threshold increase won’t be affected by the higher requirements.

Applying for a first visa from outside the UK takes just income from the sponsor into account. Though, income of the applicant and sponsor is taken into account for renewals and permanent residency. Should your revenue fall short of the minimal, you should not panic. Still useful are other strategies such cost control or saving for unanticipated expenses.

Are you concerned about the savings threshold? Even while the current rules tie savings requirements to income level, there has been no formal announcement about whether this will alter with the impending changes. It seems the government is holding a consultation over this.

Enquiring about the UK’s position relative to other nations? Different countries have different minimum income requirements for spouse visas, hence meaningful comparisons based on personal judgement are challenging. Based on the Migrant Integration Policy Index, the United Kingdom came in 54th out of 56 nations in 2020 for family reunification ease.

Rest assured, neither current system nor previous applications for Skilled Worker visas will be affected by the new £38,700 salary cap. In other cases, like being a new entrant to the labour market, a relatively lower pay could be reasonable.

Basically, even if these laws seek to solve government issues with high immigration rates, it’s important to recognise how they could affect you or someone you know. Staying informed will help you negotiate these changes when the government publishes more policy specifics.

When negotiating the complexities of immigration issues, SilverOak Solicitors is a consistent buddy. The terrain of immigration policies is continually changing, so our team of committed lawyers is updated on all the most recent changes announced in 2024.

We are here to help whether your application for a Skilled Worker Visa, a spouse or partner visa, or another kind of immigration visa calls for assistance. SilverOak Solicitors guarantees that your immigration path will go without a hitch because of their commitment to provide thorough and tailored legal advice. You can thus concentrate on laying your future in the UK, let us manage the issues.