UK Government has announced New Visa Rules

The UK government has implemented new rules to manage The Migration along with the minimum salary requirements.

 

UK Visa
image credit:getgoldenvisa

 

The government is implementing measures to reduce the number of people coming to the UK.
Home Secretary “James Cleverly” announced these changes, scheduled to begin next spring, aiming for the most significant decrease in net migration.

The UK government is introducing stricter rules for obtaining visas as part of a plan to decrease migration.

Minimum income requirement for family visas is set to rise.
It’s getting more challenging for British citizens to bring family members or partners from another country to live with them in the UK because the required minimum income is increasing. Previously £18,600, it will now be £38,700 per year. This change will particularly impact people with lower incomes, including women, younger individuals, and those residing outside London and southeast England.

The minimum salary for a UK skilled worker visa is scheduled to increase.
To be eligible for a skilled worker visa to come to the UK, your job offer must meet a minimum salary requirement. Currently, this is the highest of £26,200 per year, £10.75 per hour, or the “going rate” for your job. Starting next spring, this will increase to £38,700 per year.

It’s crucial to note that health and care workers, who make up almost half of people on work visas, and those on national pay scales like teachers, will not be affected by this increase. The Migration Observatory suggests that the primary impact will likely be on middle-skilled jobs such as butchers or chefs, where pay is typically less than £30,000.

Care workers are not allowed to bring their family members with them to the UK.
Care workers from other countries won’t be allowed to bring their partners or children to the UK anymore. The government thinks that health and care workers often bring their families, more than people with other jobs. In the past year, around 101,000 visas were given to care workers, and about 120,000 visas were given to their family members. Care companies worry that not letting family members come along might make it hard to find enough staff. However, the government believes that many workers from other countries will still want to work in care roles in the UK, even if they can’t bring their families with them.

The elimination of salary discounts for positions on the shortage occupation list has been declared.
Currently, if a job is on a list of positions that don’t have enough workers, employers can pay 80% of the regular salary and still qualify for a skilled worker visa. This list covers jobs in health, education, care work, and construction, making it easier for employers to fill vacancies. The government is planning to remove this 20% discount to ensure that immigrants are not paid less than British workers.

Healthcare surcharge to rise
The annual fee for NHS access, known as the immigration health surcharge, is set to increase from £624 to £1,035 for visa holders. Certain individuals, such as health and care workers, are exempt from paying this fee, and there is a reduced rate for students and those under 18. These adjustments are in line with the current healthcare policy in the UK. For the latest and most accurate information, it is advisable to refer to official government sources or relevant healthcare authorities.

Graduate Visa For Student:
A graduate visa allows individuals to stay in the UK for a minimum of two years after completing their studies. To address concerns about potential misuse, the government is reviewing this visa program. In the year ending June, over 98,000 graduate visas were granted. Starting in January, the government plans to restrict the number of students allowed to bring family members to the UK. Under the new rules, only students enrolled in postgraduate research courses will have this privilege. Additionally, a new regulation prevents students from switching to work visas before completing their studies. These changes are part of the government’s broader strategy to manage immigration and ensure the proper use of the visa system.

 

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