Home Secretery Plans to reduce Legal Migration- Update

Introduction:

This article serves as an update to our previous discussion surrounding the new Legal Migration changes. As of 11^th April 2024, most of these new changes will be in place. Here we have detailed the new changes and how they may affect future applications.

Changes:

As of 11 March 2024, Social care workers have no longer been allowed to bring dependant such as partners or children on their visa. This applies to all immediate family members.

From 4^th April 2024, the minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker Visa is increasing from a minimum of £26,000 to £38,700. This increase, however, does not include Health and Care Worker Visas, including social care or for education workers who are on the national pay scales.

By 4^th April 2024, the government will implement changes to the Shortage Occupation List . It aims to reduce the number of jobs where sponsoring someone for a Skilled Worker Visa will be possible on less than the typical minimum salary.

By early 2025, the minimum income necessary to sponsor someone for a spouse/partner visa will be rising in increasing stages from the current £18,600 to £29,000 by 11^th April 2024, and eventually £38,700.

There will be a review of the Graduate visa, as the Home Secretary has asked for a report by 14^th May 2024.

Result:

The salary changes will not apply to those who have an application for a spouse/partner visa before 11^th April 2024, and will only need to demonstrate the original minimum income. Furthermore, these changes will apply to any further extensions and future applications for settlement. This also applies to those extending their spouse/partner visa on or after 11^th April. The new changes only apply to first time applicants after the 11^th.

The basic savings rule will remain the same. However, as the threshold will be increasing to £29,000, savings needed will increase for new applicants after 11^th April. If a couple have no relevant earnings and are choosing to meet the threshold through savings, they will now need £88,500 instead of £62,500.

The government increase the minimum income for members of the armed force who wish to sponsor a spouse/partner visa. This will only increase to £23,496, the minimum wage for the armed force.