Rishi Sunak Toughens UK Visa Rules to Cut Immigration

Publish Date: 07/12/2023

In a bid to reshape the immigration landscape in the United Kingdom, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a series of measures aimed at toughening visa rules. The changes are poised to have a significant impact on individuals aspiring to migrate to the UK, particularly affecting Indians who have historically been a sizable portion of the immigrant population.

This blog delves the UK Immigration News & Updates into the key modifications proposed by Sunak and explores their potential implications for Indian nationals.

The Policy Shift: UK Immigration News & Updates 2023

Rishi Sunak's push for stricter immigration controls comes as part of a broader effort by the UK government to manage population growth, address economic challenges, and respond to public sentiment. The changes to the visa rules focus on multiple aspects, including work visas, family reunification, and student visas.

1. Here are the five major changes that are made as per the UK Immigration News & Updates:

1) Salary Threshold Increase:

• The government has raised the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas.
• Skilled foreign workers seeking a UK visa must now earn £38,700, a significant increase from the previous £26,200.

2) Family Visa Restrictions:

• Restrictions have been imposed on family visas, with health and social care workers, exempted due to staff shortages, facing limitations.
• Even those eligible will be barred from bringing family dependents, reflecting a more stringent approach to family reunification.

3) International Student Regulations:

As per the UK Immigration News & Updates, The government has announced restrictions on international students bringing dependents, signalling a shift in policies related to student visas. These changes contribute to the broader strategy of reducing overall net migration.

4) Healthcare Surcharge Increase:

• A 66% increase in the surcharge for migrants accessing the National Health Service (NHS) has been confirmed.
• This surcharge now stands at £1,035, a move that has faced criticism for potentially imposing a double financial burden on migrant workers

5) Shortage Occupation List Overhaul:

• The government plans to overhaul the "shortage occupation list," addressing roles where British workers are insufficient.
• This strategic move aims to align with the Conservative Party's pledge to control borders post-Brexit and tackle challenges posed by labor shortages in certain sectors.

What are the new immigration rules?

According to the UK Immigration News & Updates, the Ministers have come under pressure to act on legal migration, after official figures showed that net migration in 2022 hit a record 745,000.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described current migration levels as "far too high". Most people wanting to work in the UK will still have to apply for a visa through a points-based system (PBS).

But from spring 2024, they will have to have a job offer with a higher salary in order to get a work visa. They will need to earn at least £38,700 - this is up by nearly 50% from the current minimum salary of £26,200.

2. As per Current Available June 2023 Report:

TOP 5 Non-EU Migrants In UK are:

• 1. Indian- 253,000
• 2. Nigerian- 141,000
• 3. Chinese- 89,000
• 4. Pakistani- 55,000
• 5. Ukrainian- 35,000

3. UK- India Economic Impact

As per, FICCI Secretary General Shailesh Pathak- The world is looking at highly skilled Indian professionals, especially in IT, engineering and research.

Given the UK's increased salary threshold for foreign skilled worker visas, such Indian professionals would almost certainly choose other economies and this would discourage Indian companies doing business in the UK, since such companies employ both British and Indian professionals.

Indian professionals have contributed their expertise to address critical skill shortages in the UK. This may not continue in future, which would be unfortunate for the British economy's innovation and economic growth.

4. Other Impacts-

• Health sector relies on foreign workers; reducing migration is a challenge.
• 101,000 visas issued to care workers in the year ending September 2023.
• An additional 120,000 visas granted to family dependents of care workers.
• Staffing shortages in the care sector; resistance to curbs on hiring foreign workers.
• Concerns that care workers might be deterred due to new family-related rules.
• Family income threshold raised to £38,700, a surprising move.
• Changes in minimum income may block relatives from staying in the UK under specific circumstances.
• Small share but significant impact on lower-income British citizens, especially women and younger people.

The next United Kingdom general election is scheduled to be held no later than 28 January 2025. It will determine the composition of the House of Commons and the next Government of the United Kingdom. Hence, it would be interesting in seeing what the next or the current authorities will plan the ways of migrants in UK.

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