During the initial five months of 2024, the United Kingdom implemented more stringent immigration policies aimed at lowering net migration figures and prioritizing British workers.
These measures included tightening rules for student visas, raising the salary threshold for Skilled Worker Visas, and addressing policies concerning foreign healthcare workers, as reported by VisaGuide.World.
While these actions have led to a decline in migration figures, authorities cautioned that additional measures may be necessary if deemed appropriate.
“The plan is yielding results, yet migration levels remain elevated, prompting us to take further steps,” stated Rishi Sunak, UK’s Prime Minister.
The UK government has introduced stricter regulations to address the misuse of student visas, emphasizing their intended use for genuine educational purposes. Proposed changes include heightened financial requirements for international students and more stringent criteria for institutions recruiting overseas. Additionally, there is a review of English language proficiency assessments to ensure understanding of course materials.
In April 2024, the minimum salary requirement for the UK Skilled Worker Visa was raised by 48%, from £26,200 to £38,700, aimed at discouraging the hiring of foreign workers over British employees and reducing reliance on foreign labor in specific sectors.
Furthermore, foreign care workers are now prohibited from bringing dependents to the UK, a decision influenced by the significant number of dependents accompanying workers in 2023. These measures have resulted in a 25% decrease in visa applications during the first quarter of 2024, particularly affecting student and dependent visa applications. These policies are aligned with the Home Secretary’s objective of decreasing legal migration.