The United Kingdom (UK) Home Secretary James Cleverly announced changes in the regulations for immigrants from different countries in the world who intended to move to the UK for work on December 5, 2023.
According to Cleverly, the move was meant to reduce migration levels and stop the abuse of the immigration system.
To achieve this, the home secretary stated that the government will be increasing the minimum salaries that overseas workers and British or settled people sponsoring family members must earn.
Additionally, the government announced that it would tighten the Health and Care visa, noting that it would prevent a significant number of care workers and their dependents from getting visas.
“In the year ending September 2023, 101,000 Health and Care visas were issued to care workers and senior care workers, with an estimated 120,000 visas granted to associated dependents, the majority of whom we estimate don’t work, but still make use of public services,” the statement read in part.
This means that if one is planning to move or work in the UK, they will have to take the following into consideration.
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Effect on Individuals Moving with Dependents to UK
First, the new regulation means that care providers in England will only be able to sponsor migrant workers if they are undertaking activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
The UK government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of Ksh4 million (£26,200) to Ksh7 million (£38,700).
This will encourage businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their workforce, instead of over-relying on migration.
At the same time, the government noted that it will increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them.
“Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live here must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state,” added the statement.
How Salaries for Different occupations Are Affected
On the other hand, the UK government will end the 20 percent salary rate discount for shortage occupations replacing it with a new list of salaries.
According to Home Secretary Cleverly, “the Migration Advisory Committee will review the new list against the increased salary thresholds in order to reduce the number of occupations on the list.”
However, those moving to the UK on the Health and Care visa route will be exempted from the increase in the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
“We will also exempt those on national pay scales, for example teachers,” added the statement.
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Impact on Sponsored Students
On students going to study in the United Kingdom under scholarships or different kinds of sponsorship, the same regulations will apply.
According to Cleverly, the UK government granted 153,000 visas to dependents of sponsored students in 2023.
“We expect this change will have a tangible impact on net migration, with around 153,000 visas granted to dependents of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023.
“This, along with the changes announced today, will further protect the integrity and quality of higher education in the UK,” he explained.
