UK announces stricter visa rules for foreign workers and health professionals
The initiative, designed to cut down the nation's immigration tally, institutes increased salary prerequisites for skilled visas and curbs the practice of bringing family members as dependents.
This Monday saw the UK government introducing stringent visa regulations targeted at foreign workers. The initiative, designed to cut down the nation’s immigration tally, institutes increased salary prerequisites for skilled visas and curbs the practice of bringing family members as dependents.
“Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down. These steps will make sure that immigration always benefits the UK,” UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said via a tweet.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a tweet, expressed the necessity for radical action to bring down immigration levels. He aims to achieve the most significant reduction in net migration ever witnessed by a UK Prime Minister, emphasizing the need for immigration to always benefit the UK.
“We’ve just announced the biggest-ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history. But the level of net migration is too high and it has to change. I am determined to do it.”, Sunak added.
But what do these reforms really mean?
- Salary thresholds for skilled worker visas will jump from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700.
- Medics on Health and Care visas won’t be allowed to bring along family members.
- The family visa category too will be regulated by the new salary threshold, a stark increase from the earlier GBP 18,600.
Joining the fight, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the necessity for a lawful, enduring, equitable, and uniform immigration policy. He unveiled that these measures, in combination with a decrease in student dependents, could lead to around 300,000 fewer people making their home later compared to the prior year.
Cleverly’s announcement of these rules, part of a five-point plan, is scheduled for implementation from the first half of 2024. A review of the Graduate Route visa highlights efforts to protect the reputation of higher education. Furthermore, potent changes to the entry procedures for sectors facing labour shortfalls are under review. These would eradicate the 20% discount on the lowest salary for visas for occupations in short supply, whilst revamping the Shortage Occupation List.
The introduction of this visa overhaul aligns with unprecedented immigration rates as per the Office for National Statistics. Recent data showcases record-high immigration into the UK with a net migration of 672,000! A closer look at the data highlights India as a key contributor in the categories of skilled workers, medical professionals, and students, with notable increases in Health and Care visa applications and sponsored study visa grants.
You might also be intersted in – First in the world, gene therapy for blood diseases approved in the UK
