Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the UK government has enacted strict visa regulations to reduce skyrocketing immigration rates. The revised rules, announced on Monday, involve a considerable increase in the salary threshold for foreign workers seeking skilled visas and a tightening of regulations concerning family members as dependents.
Attributing the decision to address high immigration levels, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed confidence that these radical measures would contribute to a substantial reduction in migration, ensuring that it aligns with the best interests of the United Kingdom.
In a post on the microblogging site X, Sunak asserted,?"Immigration is excessively high. Today, we are taking decisive action to reduce it. These measures will guarantee that Immigration always serves the best interests of the UK."
In another tweet, he added,?"We've just announced the biggest-ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history."
Addressing the House of Commons, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced a comprehensive immigration crackdown, extending its impact on Indian nationals.?
The new measures include a significant rise in the salary threshold for skilled worker visas, impacting health and care visas, and restricting family members from accompanying medical professionals.
The government's five-point plan, effective in the first half of 2024, aims to address immigration concerns comprehensively. He cleverly outlined vital changes, including salary threshold increases for various visa categories, reviewing the Graduate Route visa, and reforming the entry process for sectors facing staff shortages.
Dependent Restrictions:?
The government aims to reduce migration by restricting the entry of dependents into the UK. This forms a crucial part of their strategy to manage and control Immigration.
Salary Threshold Increases:
Minimum salaries for overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members will substantially increase. The earning threshold for overseas workers will experience a nearly 50% surge, rising from ?26,200 to ?38,700. A similar increase will apply to British citizens sponsoring family members.
Health and Care Visa Tightening:
The Health and Care Visa, previously a significant avenue for care workers and their dependents, will face new restrictions. Overseas care workers will no longer be permitted to bring dependents to the UK.?
Additionally, care providers can only sponsor migrant workers in activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Crackdown on Cut-Price Labor:
The government plans to eliminate the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce an immigration salary list. The Migration Advisory Committee will review this list to make it consistent with the higher salary thresholds and address concerns about cheap labor.
Student Dependent Restrictions:
Measures have been implemented to address the increase in students bringing dependents to the UK. These changes are expected to significantly impact net migration, with approximately 153,000 visas granted to the dependents of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023.
The comprehensive visa crackdown responds to record-high immigration figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which reported a net migration of 672,000 to the UK.?
India dominates several visa categories, including skilled workers, medical professionals, and students. The impact of these measures is anticipated to reshape the immigration landscape, aligning it with the evolving needs and priorities of the United Kingdom.
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