On 4 December 2023, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced upcoming changes to immigration laws, which he described as a “five-point plan” to reduce immigration. The Home Office has published more information, including some amendments to what was first published on 21 December. At the time of writing, no changes have been implemented, but a deadline of January 30, 2024 has been announced.

What are the five changes?

1. Social workers cannot bring dependents (i,e partners and children) on the visa.
2. The minimum supported wage for the Skilled Worker visa will increase from £26,200 to £38,700 (but not for the Health and Care Worker visa, which includes social care or education workers on the national price scale).
3. The Long-Term Employment List is amended to limit the number of jobs foreign workers can hold below the minimum wage (which is the first item on the list).
4. The minimum income required to support a person for the spouse/partner visa increases in stages from £18,600 a year to £29,000 and finally to £38,700.
5. The Immigration Advisory Committee considers the graduate visa, a two-year sponsored work permit for foreign graduates of British universities.

When will the changes take effect?

The ban on newcomer guardians bringing family members will begin on March 11, 2024.

The increase in the minimum wage for skilled workers will take effect between April 4 and April 2024.

The first schedule changes they will enter into force in April 2024. (about April 4); The Errors Advisory Committee proposes a new line.

The minimum income for passport friends/partners will rise for the first time to £29,000 from 11 April 2024. In some cases it will rise to around £34,500, although it was set at the end of 2024. early 2025″.

The Home Office has asked the Immigration Advisory Committee to start work on the graduate visa review in January 2024 (at the time of writing it has not yet done so), but the Committee is expected to report back in late 2024.

Will lawmakers vote to approve, reject or modify the changes?

Probably not.Changes to visa laws are made by changing immigration laws. The government said it plans to submit two reports to parliament on February 19, 2024 and March 14, 2024. Within 40 days. There is usually no vote, and the Government is not obliged to schedule a vote in Parliament, even if a motion against the amendments is tabled (this can be done by early motion).

If there is a vote on changes to immigration laws, the proposed changes cannot be reversed. All can be approved or rejected in a vote.No rules required.

Why did the government decide to make these changes?

Ministers say immigration rates are ‘too high’. Net migration (number of immigrants minus the number of immigrants) was estimated at 745,000 for the 12 months to 31 December 2022. 4,444 4,444 Net migration of international students, welfare workers and their immediate family (dependents) increased and the increase in the humanitarian visa program and asylum seekers.

The upcoming changes will follow restrictions on dependent student rules that were announced separately in May 2023 and will come into effect from early 2024. According to the Home Office, 300,000 of those who moved to the UK last year they couldn’t come. school.

All these changes were made at that time.

My member is planning to extend their spouse or partner visa by April 11. Does the £29,000 limit apply to them or first time visa applicants?

Apply for the first time. A government spokesman initially said the higher standards would apply to visa extensions, but the Home Office did not announce this on December 21: “For those who have already held a family visa with the company for five years, or who apply before minimum income threshold, if the threshold is increased, applications will continue to be evaluated based on the current income requirements, and those who would increase it will not be required to comply.

People who apply for permanent residence (also known as “residency” or “indefinite residence”) after obtaining a spouse/partner visa must meet the minimum income requirements.As mentioned, this exception also applies to these.We are waiting for more information.

Can the applicant’s and sponsor’s income be calculated on £18,600 / £29,000?

If you are applying for your first visa from outside the UK, the sponsor’s income will count towards the minimum income. For extensions and permanent residence both amounts are calculated. Generally, people must show income for the last six months (although the exact rules are strict). There are also options for people who do not earn the minimum income, and who can access the visa in other ways through savings above £16,000 or in different circumstances. The Home Office said this would still be possible if the threshold were raised.

Does the amount of savings that replace income vary?

Under current regulations, the amount of savings required automatically increases as the income threshold increases. If there are no changes to the rules other than the income threshold rising to £29,000, the maximum savings required will rise from £62,500 to £88,500. However, there is still no news on this and the government may not have decided on the appropriate level of savings. According to the statement “we are discussing whether to increase”. Like the basic income rule, it means people must have a minimum amount of savings in their account for six months before applying.will be fine.

Does the minimum income increase apply to foreign military members seeking to sponsor a spouse or partner visa?

Yes.

Are there similar countries that apply minimum income requirements for spouse visas?Many countries require proof of sufficient financial resources?

Different ways of defining and evaluating requirements make direct comparisons difficult. In countries such as Belgium or Norway that introduce a minimum wage requirement, library research found no examples of thresholds set above or close to £38,700 (the level the UK government aims to reach). Opponents of minimum income policies often cite a list called the Immigrant Integration Program Index (MIPEX). In 2020, the UK was second out of the last 56 countries for the ease of family reunification. Family meeting times take into account the needs of financial resources and other factors when comparing different countries.

What about the higher salary threshold of £38,700 for the Skilled Worker visa? Does this also apply to people holding that visa?

No. According to the Immigration Minister: “People who completed the skilled work route and applied before the law changed will not be subject to the new salary threshold of £38,700 when it changes, delays or takes action decisions.” .In some circumstances, people can earn less than the minimum wage and still have access to skilled worker visa support. This includes “new entrants” to the labor market, such as people under 26 and undocumented. There is no sign of this changing, barring a major shift in public service hours..