On 4 December 2023, the UK government introduced changes to the immigration system, set to take effect in March and April 2024.
- Official Information Source: The most up-to-date information is available on the GOV.UK website.
Principal Updates:
- Restrictions on Dependants:
- From 11 March 2024, care workers and senior care workers will be prohibited from bringing dependants to the UK.
- Only providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England will be allowed to sponsor Health and Care Visa applicants. Other professions can continue to bring dependants as usual.
- Salary Thresholds for Visas:
- Effective from 4 April 2024, Certificates of Sponsorship for Health and Care Visa applications must conform to the national pay scale or meet the new minimum salary of £23,200 (previously £20,960).
- Positions not on a national pay scale must meet a general salary threshold of £29,000 for both new applications and visa extensions.
- Holders of the Health and Care Visa will remain exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Certificates of Sponsorship for general Skilled Worker Visa applications (e.g., data analysts and IT professionals) sponsored by an NHS organisation must meet a new salary threshold of £38,700 from 4 April 2024.
- Existing Skilled Worker Visa holders will be exempt from new salary thresholds if they change jobs or sponsors, or if they settle in the UK.
- Immigration Salary List:
- The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) as of 4 April 2024, allowing recruitment at salaries below the general threshold but requiring specific minimums.
- Immigration Health Surcharge Increase:
- As of 6 February 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge has increased to £1,035 per person annually.
- Minimum Income for Family Visas:
- The minimum income requirement for family visas is set to increase in stages, starting at £29,000 from 11 April 2024, reaching £38,700 by early 2025. Only financially supported dependants will be allowed into the UK.
Visa Specifics:
- Health and Care Visa:
- Applies to roles such as nurses and doctors, listed on GOV.UK.
- This visa is a subset of the Skilled Worker Visa, requiring confirmation during the application process.
- Only CQC-registered providers can sponsor care workers and senior care workers.
- Salary Thresholds:
- For roles on national pay scales, the minimum salary threshold is rising to £23,200.
- For roles not on national pay scales, the threshold will increase to £29,000.
- For occupations on the ISL, salaries must meet either £23,200 or the occupation-specific threshold, whichever is higher.
- Immigration Health Surcharge:
- Current and future visa holders remain exempt from the IHS.
- Dependants:
- Health and Care Visa holders can bring dependants to the UK, except care workers and senior care workers from 11 March 2024.
- Dependants have a general right to work, permitting employment by the NHS or in other sectors.
- Skilled Worker Visa:
- Applicable to non-Health and Care Visa roles sponsored by an NHS trust, such as IT and finance professionals.
- New applications must meet the increased general salary threshold of £38,700 from 4 April 2024.
- Existing visa holders can qualify for a lower rate when changing sponsors or job roles.
- Social Care:
- Only CQC-registered providers in England can sponsor care workers and senior care workers.
- The general salary threshold for health and care worker occupations not on a national pay scale is increasing to £29,000.
- Health and Care Visa holders are no longer able to bring dependants from 11 March 2024.