Japa: All you Need to know about UK’s new Visa Rules

In a move to address immigration concerns, the UK government has introduced a comprehensive five-point plan, drawing mixed reactions. The plan, spearheaded by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, includes measures such as restricting care workers from relocating with their families and elevating the minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas.

Newly appointed Home Secretary, James Cleverly, emphasized the need for a fair, legal, and sustainable immigration policy. The government faces pressure following a setback in the Supreme Court, which declared the proposed Rwanda deportation scheme illegal.

According to recent reports, net migration reached 745,000 last year, with 1,180,000 individuals intending to stay in the UK for at least a year. A significant majority, approximately 968,000, are from non-EU countries, with the top five nationalities being Indian (253,000), Nigerian (141,000), Chinese (89,000), Pakistani (55,000), and Ukrainian (35,000).

Here’s a breakdown of the UK’s five-point plan to reduce immigration:

1. Health and Care Visas: The plan aims to curb the “abuse of the health and care visa” by prohibiting overseas care workers from bringing dependents, defined as spouses, civil partners, or children under eighteen.

2. Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary Change: The minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas sees a substantial increase from £26,000 to £38,700, representing a 50% hike.

3. Shortage Occupation List: Changes in this policy eliminate the 20% minimum wage reduction for visas in shortage occupations. The list will be reviewed and trimmed to ensure jobs are not easily filled by UK residents.

4. Family Visas: The minimum requirement for family visas rises to £38,700 from £18,600, aiming to ensure financial stability for dependents.

5. Student Visas: The package includes a reduction in student dependents, with the government requesting a review of the graduate route from the Migration Advisory Committee.

Cleverly stated that these changes would result in approximately 300,000 fewer people entering the UK in the coming years. Further adjustments to student visas are expected following the review of the graduate route.