Stricter Visa Regulations Revealed as Part of Migration Reduction Plan
The UK government has introduced stricter visa requirements to reduce immigration following the surge to a record 745,000 net migrants in 2022.
Home Secretary James Cleverly announced a plan intended to significantly decrease immigration, deeming current levels too high. Key changes will include an increase in the minimum salary for skilled foreign workers from £26,200 to £38,700, and a set of measures to close loopholes and toughen entry requirements.
This includes:
- Prohibiting health and care workers from bringing dependents to the UK,
- Removing the option for employers to pay 20% below standard rates for shortage-listed occupations,
- Raising the NHS surcharge for foreign workers from £624 to £1,035,
- Increasing the minimum income threshold for family visas to £38,700,
- Reviewing the graduate visa route for potential abuses.
The plan comes after the Conservatives faced pressure to fulfill their long-standing promise to reduce net migration and assert control over borders post-Brexit. Immigration issues are gaining focus as the next general election looms in 2024 and the Labor party leads in polls.
Critics argue the measures admit to the Conservative's past inefficiencies and fail to address systemic issues like skill shortages. The care sector, reliant on foreign workers amid staffing shortages, is particularly concerned these policies will exacerbate the crisis.
This includes:
- Prohibiting health and care workers from bringing dependents to the UK,
- Removing the option for employers to pay 20% below standard rates for shortage-listed occupations,
- Raising the NHS surcharge for foreign workers from £624 to £1,035,
- Increasing the minimum income threshold for family visas to £38,700,
- Reviewing the graduate visa route for potential abuses.
The plan comes after the Conservatives faced pressure to fulfill their long-standing promise to reduce net migration and assert control over borders post-Brexit. Immigration issues are gaining focus as the next general election looms in 2024 and the Labor party leads in polls.
Critics argue the measures admit to the Conservative's past inefficiencies and fail to address systemic issues like skill shortages. The care sector, reliant on foreign workers amid staffing shortages, is particularly concerned these policies will exacerbate the crisis.
