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The government is making it harder for people to get work and family visas for the UK.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described current migration levels as “far too high”, after official figures showed that net migration in 2022 hit a record 745,000.
What are the new immigration rules?
They will need to earn at least £38,700 – an increase of nearly 50% from the current £26,200 minimum.
The threshold will not apply to some jobs – such as in health and social care. But overseas care workers will not be able to bring in family dependants.
A points system was first adopted by the Labour government in 2008, when it applied to migrants from non-EU countries, but it was overhauled by the Conservatives after Brexit.
How does the points-based system work?
The remaining 20 points can come from a higher salary, working in a sector with job shortages, or having a relevant PhD.
The standard fee for a skilled visa is usually between £719 and £1,500.
This will increase to £1,035 a year from spring 2024.
What is the ‘shortage occupation list’?
These jobs have a lower salary threshold, making it easier for applicants to gain enough points to get a visa.
The list currently includes:
Labour has criticised the policy as a “salary discount”, which lets employers undercut local wages.
The 80% rule will be abolished from spring 2024, and the government will also review the list and reduce the number of occupations included.
How are the family visa rules changing?
From spring 2024, the government will raise the minimum income level to qualify for a family visa to £38,700 – a sharp rise from the £18,600 currently required.
Overseas care workers will also no longer be allowed to bring family dependants to the UK.
Speaking in the House of Lords, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby warned the new rules will harm families
How many migrants come to the UK?
In the year ending June 2023, 1,180,000 people came to the UK expecting to stay for at least a year, and an estimated 508,000 departed.
That means net migration – the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving – stood at 672,000.
The vast majority of the 1,180,000 – 968,000 – came from outside the EU.
The top five non-EU nationalities were:
- Indian – 253,000
- Nigerian – 141,000
- Chinese – 89,000
- Pakistani – 55,000
- Ukrainian – 35,000
What are the rules for student visas?
Half of those were granted to Indian and Chinese nationals, with the next most popular countries for student visas being Nigeria, Pakistan and the US.
Those on postgraduate courses could also apply for visas for qualifying dependants: a husband, wife, civil or unmarried partner and children under 18.
In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants.
Students who have already completed their degree can stay in the UK for two years – three years for those with a doctoral degree – to work under a graduate visa.
In the year to the end of September 2023, 104,501 such visas were issued, excluding dependants.
What about seasonal workers?
An application costs £298.
How has Brexit changed immigration?
Before Brexit, EU and UK citizens had the freedom to live, work or study in any EU country without needing a visa.
However, this freedom of movement ended on 1 January 2021 when the UK left the EU.
In the 12 months to June 2023, net EU migration was -86,000, meaning more EU nationals left the UK than arrived.
Net migration of non-EU nationals – the difference between those arriving and those leaving – was 768,000.
Net migration of British nationals was -10,000, meaning more British people left the UK than came back.
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