James Cleverly, the home secretary, unveiled a plan to restrict immigration on December 4, 2023, which included potential revisions to visa regulations. On December 21, the Home Office published new details, some of which differed from the first announcement, including information on the new salary threshold for immigrants. In this post, we will assess the impact of UK immigration policy updates.
In compliance with two amendments to the Immigration Rules published on February 19 and March 14, the modifications have already taken effect, incorporating the new immigration salary list. Let’s examine the Impact of UK immigration policy updates and how it affects you,
Major Changes in the Updated Immigration Policy?
- Social workers are no longer permitted to travel with dependents on their visa, such as spouses and kids, due to the immigration changes preventing care workers from bringing their families, exemplifying a stricter stance against the potential abuse of the immigration system.
- The “going rate” minimum wage for each position has grown dramatically, and the baseline minimum salary to be sponsored for a skilled worker visa has increased from £26,200 to £38,700.
- The Immigration Income List is now a shorter list of occupations for which an individual may sponsor someone for a skilled worker visa at a lower minimum income.
- The minimum income requirement to sponsor someone for a spouse or partner visa under the UK visa system has increased from £18,600 to £29,000.
When Did the Modifications Take Place?
On March 11, 2024, the restriction on new caregivers bringing their close family members into the UK went into effect. This affected their ability to bring dependants to the UK and made them subject to the new policy changes.
- On April 4, 2024, the minimum salary hikes for skilled workers went into effect.
- On April 4, 2024, the Shortage Occupation List was replaced with an interim Immigration Salary List, which will be reviewed later this year.
- On April 11, 2024, the minimum income required for a spouse or partner visa was raised to £29,000. There are plans to increase the new salary threshold to around £34,500 at a later date in 2024 and to approximately £38,700 by early 2025 as part of the new immigration salary list adjustments, considering the best interests of the UK.
- The Home Secretary has requested a report by May 14, 2024, marking the start of the review process for the Graduate visa.
Evaluation of the Impact of UK Immigration Policy Updates
The UK government’s recent immigration policy updates have sparked discussions on their potential Impact on various sectors, particularly healthcare, with a significant focus on the ramifications for migrant health and care workers.
These updates, implemented in stages since early 2024, aim to influence net migration levels in line with the UK government’s strategy to manage the impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy announced recently. While the policy’s effectiveness in achieving its goal remains to be seen, a closer look reveals potential challenges and areas for further impact evaluation of the recent immigration changes. We’ve broken them into four important points: subject to the new amendments.
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Changes to Skilled Worker Visa: Health and Care Visa System
The term “Skilled Worker Visa” refers to positions sponsored by an NHS trust but ineligible for a Health and Care Visa (generally known as a skilled worker visa), such as administrative personnel and IT and finance specialists.
Salary threshold
New applications must now reach the higher general salary level of £38,700 as of April 4, 2024, reflecting the recent adjustments on the latest immigration salary list. This won’t be raised gradually. When they change their occupation, sponsor, or place of residence, people who were already in the skilled worker route before the changes in immigration laws have to be released from the new median pay levels.
When they apply again to change jobs, extend their stay, or settle, the revised 25th percentiles based on the most recent pay data will be used because the Home Office anticipates their income advancing at the same rate as resident workers in the same role. This is consistent with standard procedure.
Immigration Salary List
- A threshold of £30,960 or the occupation-specific threshold, whichever is higher, is now assessed against the current income standards for occupations on the ISL.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: This topic is now more scrutinized for potential abuse of the immigration system. As of February 2024, each applicant must pay the higher immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 annually, a significant rule change.
Pay threshold
For jobs involving health and care workers not covered by a national pay scale, the general wage barrier will rise to £29,000. This will hold for fresh applications and visa extensions already in place.
2. Increased Minimum Income Requirement for Family Sponsorship
The increased minimum income requirement for sponsoring family members under the family visa category (Report on immigration policy changes) has also drawn attention, particularly amongst those who are not British citizens but wish to bring dependants.
This policy, to be implemented in stages throughout 2024, could disproportionately affect lower-income Britons seeking to reunite with family abroad due to the rules change on dependants coming to the UK. An Immigration impact report would be valuable in assessing the social consequences of these proposed changes.
3. Changes as Regards Dependents
Suppose the primary visa holder satisfies the relevant general income criterion. In that case, dependents of individuals on a Health and Care Visa and a Skilled Worker Visa are eligible to work for an NHS trust in any capacity, regardless of skill level or pay requirement.
British nationals bringing dependents to the UK are eligible for family visas. The minimum income criterion will gradually climb from £29,000 on April 11 to £38,700 in early 2025. Care and senior care workers applying for a Health and Care Visa will not be permitted to include dependents in their application starting on March 11, 2024.
Senior care workers and caregivers currently on the route will be permitted to stay with their dependents, even for settlement, extensions, and employer changes (as long as they remain within their SOC code).
A care worker or senior care worker regulated by the Care Quality Commission may bring dependents during their sponsorship (on this visa) if they were on the route before March 11, 2024, but they have yet to get any with them.
After March 11, 2024, those in the UK on any other route (including those that allow dependents) who change to a Health and Care Visa and work as caregivers or senior caregivers will not be allowed to remain with (or bring over) dependents.
Before the regulations changed, care providers sponsoring workers in non-regulated activities (and so exempt from CQC registration requirements) should be allowed to keep sponsoring these workers, even if it means extending their visas under those conditions. Still, they should not be allowed to hire new employees.
4. Broader Impacts of Immigration Policy
The Impact of UK, immigration policy updates, extends beyond immediate numbers and includes necessary adjustments to comply with the cookie policy. The effects of the UK immigration system changes on social care, cultural exchange, and long-term economic growth can be felt deeply, considering the significant number of migrants who came to the UK last year.
A balanced approach that considers both financial needs and social integration is crucial.
The Need for a Comprehensive Impact Evaluation
While the government seeks to control migration levels, a comprehensive UK immigration policy impact evaluation, taking into account the experiences of those who came to the UK last year, is needed.
This evaluation should consider the policy’s effectiveness in achieving its goals while assessing its broader social and economic Impact, including the effects of the salary discount for shortage occupations. Evaluating these factors will help determine whether the policy balances financial objectives and social considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Impact of UK Immigration Policy Updates
1. Who is affected by the changes to the Health and Care Visa?
The changes primarily impact care and senior care workers (SOC codes 6145 & 6146) on Health and Care Visas granted after March 11, 2024. These individuals can no longer bring their dependents with them to the UK.
2. What is the Immigration Salary List (ISL), and how does it affect me?
The ISL replaces the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and sets minimum salary thresholds for skilled worker visas, which are in line with the latest immigration changes announced and subject to new regulations. This could affect you if you are applying for a Skilled Worker Visa in a role related to IT, finance, or other sectors on the ISL, especially with introducing a new salary threshold and changes to the UK immigration system.
3. Can I still sponsor my family members to come to the UK?
You can still sponsor family members under the revised family visa regulations, although the process has become more challenging after January 2024, highlighting the Impact of the latest immigration changes. However, the minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or dependant has increased throughout 2024, as highlighted by the Home Secretary, due to immigration changes to UK immigration policy.
This may make it more difficult for some individuals, including health and care workers, to meet the sponsorship criteria, especially after the latest adjustments in immigration rules and salary requirements were announced on December 4 2023.
4. Where can I find more information on the latest immigration policy updates, including changes to family visa conditions?
You can find the latest information on the NHS Employers website and updates on immigration rules from the Home Office.
5. How can I voice my concerns about the Impact of the immigration policy changes?
Several channels exist to voice your concerns, including those affected by the change in employment rules. You can contact your local Member of Parliament (MP) or relevant advocacy groups for assistance or to express concerns about the ability to bring dependants under the new rules.
6. What are the potential long-term impacts of the immigration policy changes?
The changes, including the new salary threshold, could have long-term consequences for social cohesion, cultural exchange, and economic growth. A comprehensive impact evaluation is needed to understand these broader effects, especially considering the influx of migrants who came to the UK last year, potentially influenced by the recent immigration changes.
7. Is any support available for businesses struggling to recruit talent due to the new immigration policy?
The government may offer support programs or resources to help businesses adapt to the changes, including those related to the new salary threshold for immigrants. It’s advisable to check with relevant government agencies or business associations for updates.
8. How will the effectiveness of the new immigration policy, introduced in January 2024 and how it will affect the ability to bring dependents, be measured?
A comprehensive UK immigration policy impact evaluation, considering the advice of the Migration Advisory Committee, is crucial to assess the policy’s effectiveness in achieving its goals and its broader social and economic Impact.
8. My Dependent is Currently Seeking Employment in the United Kingdom. Are They Able to Work For The NHS?
Those with dependents on a Health and Care Visa are generally permitted to work in the United Kingdom; a status not impacted by the recent changes will affect those already in the UK. Aside from requirements set by the role—a nurse, for example, would need to be registered with the NMC—they are not required to fulfil any skill or income thresholds.
The primary applicant or British citizen would be subject to the minimum income criteria of £29,000 if they were dependents of British citizens or holders of other visa classifications.
Individuals who apply before the minimum income level is raised or already have a family visa under the five-year partner route will still have their applications evaluated based on the existing income criteria and won’t be obliged to meet the higher threshold. This will also apply to kids who want to go with or accompany their parents.
9. What Should I Do if I Get a Job Offer and Some of These Adjustments May Interfere With My Plans?
You must meet the new income levels if you are being hired for a position that requires a Health and Care Visa. Dependents cannot be brought with a care worker or senior care worker as part of their visa application, reflecting the stringent immigration changes announced regarding care workers from bringing family members.
Depending on the function you are taking on and your anticipated arrival date, these changes may affect you if you are being recruited for an NHS position under a general skilled worker visa.
Final Words
The UK government wants to balance social integration and economic demands. Still, the new laws may disproportionately impact those with lower incomes and those who wish to be reunited with family.
A thorough impact study is necessary to evaluate the practical Impacts of UK immigration system changes, including the changes to UK immigration, considering the experiences of migrants and the sectors that depend on their contributions. Such an assessment should gauge the policies’ wider social and economic ramifications, including the new salary discount for shortage occupations and how well they accomplish their declared objectives.
This will ensure that the immigration system meets short-term financial needs and the UK’s long-term growth and social cohesion amidst the recent changes to the immigration policy.
The successful implementation of these policy reforms and the government’s ability to effectively address new challenges will be the ultimate test of whether they can establish a fair and balanced approach to immigration. This approach should meet the demands of the UK’s diverse population and ensure the stability of the country’s economy.