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Category: Immigration

You may have seen recent media coverage regarding changes to the Government’s immigration strategy.  Given large increases in net immigration figures, a number of changes are being proposed.

Government are proposing the following changes;

  • Immigrants will need to earn more to get a work visa (minimum salary will be £38,700 p.a. instead of £26,200 currently)
  • It will be harder for Immigrants to bring family members to the UK with the income requirement for a spouse/family visa raising to £38,700
  • Increases to immigration fees for applicants (e.g. a big increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge)
  • A review of the Graduate visa route
  • Changes/reductions to the Shortage Occupation list
  • Firm timescales are uncertain but Spring 2024 has been suggested

In addition, application fees will increase in the 2024/25 Financial Year.

What does this mean for employers?

The above strategic changes could well affect overseas recruitment you have planned for 2024.  You may wish to review your immigration plans and assess whether you are ready to prepare and submit any Skilled Worker applications early in 2024.

Early application submissions may be wise for any planned ‘new hires’ under both the Skilled worker route and ‘new family migrants’ (whose families are not in the UK or family members who have not yet applied.

As at today’s date we are unable to state for certain whether/exactly when the new rules will come into effect, but changes are expected to affect the above applications.

What does this mean for Individuals?

If you or someone you know has been thinking about submitting an application in 2024 we suggest reviewing plans to consider expediting the application if viable.  This would avoid the potentially confusing transition period and new conditions.

The new salary thresholds may be introduced from Spring 2024 but the exact timescales are still uncertain. The government’s changes to the minimum income for family visas mean that people may be blocked from bringing their relatives to stay in the UK under certain circumstances. However, we are unable to state currently whether the new rules will come into effect at all and if they do when and who will be affected.

What next?

We will continue to monitor Government updates and will inform you of their impacts.   If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Lindsey Newman on 0117 325 0526

 

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