What are the new rules of the UK immigration
Changes in 2024?

The UK is looking to hire healthcare professionals from India

There have been new immigration rules for the UK Skilled Worker Visa and they have become effective from 4 April 2024. These changes will change the political and economic UK market and will effect Immigrations.
Some of the changes that have been introduced are -

Minimum Salary Slab

• The minimum salary required for eligibility has been significantly increased from £26,200 per year to £38,700.
• For healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and care workers, the increase is more modest, rising from £26,200 to £29,000.
• Those paid according to a UK national pay scale will not need to meet these median salary requirements.
• New entrants continue to benefit from a 30% lower minimum salary requirement, necessitating a salary of at least £30,960 per year (discounted from £38,700) or 70% of the going rate for their occupation.
• Those already holding a Skilled Worker Visa before the rule change will face a lower minimum salary increase if applying for an extension, changing employers, or settling in the UK.
• They will need a salary of at least £29,000 or the updated going rate for their occupation, rather than the new threshold of £38,700.

New Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaced the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)

• The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is being replaced by a new Immigration Salary List (ISL)
• The intent is to give the Home Office greater control over occupations with lower salary requirements.
• The ISL will feature fewer eligible SOC codes than the SOL, and occupations listed will have a 20% discount compared to the general salary threshold.
• Under the updated rules, the Home Office will transition to the SOC 2020 system, phasing out SOC 2010.
• Consequently, some SOC codes currently eligible for sponsorship will no longer qualify from 4 April 2024 because they fall below the minimum skill level of RQF Level 3.
• This includes roles such as nannies, concierges, fashion stylists, and car salesmen. Existing visa holders in these occupations can still apply for extensions but cannot change their employer.

No care workers and Senior workers can bring dependents in the UK

• While regular Skilled Worker Visa holders can still bring their families to the UK on a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa, care workers and senior care workers can no longer bring dependants from 11 March 2024.
• For the UK Spouse Visa, new rules from 11 April 2024 require first-time applicants to show their UK partner earns at least £29,000. This threshold is set to increase to £34,500 and then £38,700, although the timing of these increases is not yet confirmed.
• The separate child element in the minimum income requirement will be removed.
• Those relying on cash savings to meet the financial requirement will need £88,500, up from £62,500.
• However, these increased requirements do not apply to those already on the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or those who were granted a fiancé visa prior to the change.

Only P.HD international students can bring spouse or children to the UK

From 1 January 2024 there has been limitations for the international students bringing their loved ones in the UK. Now only those will only be able to bring their partners and children if they are studying for a PhD or other doctorate (at RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree.