On Monday, the UK government unveiled a set of more stringent visa regulations aimed at reducing the country's immigration numbers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asserted that these "radical" measures, including an elevated salary threshold for skilled visas and restrictions on bringing family members as dependents, were essential to bring down migration and ensure that it benefits the UK.
Expressing concern over high immigration levels, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to the microblogging site X, stating, "Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down. These steps will make sure that immigration always benefits the UK." In a subsequent post, he declared, "We've just announced the biggest-ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history. But the level of net migration is too high and it has to change. I am determined to do it."
UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, addressing the House of Commons, elaborated on the measures, indicating that Health and Care visa holders would no longer be allowed to bring family members. For other skilled worker visa routes, the salary threshold is set to rise from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, with the family visa category, currently at GBP 18,600, following suit. Cleverly emphasized the need for a fair, consistent, legal, and sustainable immigration policy.
The combined impact of this comprehensive package, along with a reduction in student dependents, is projected to result in approximately 300,000 fewer individuals coming to the UK in the future compared to the previous year. Cleverly's five-point plan, effective from the first half of 2024, outlines measures to review the Graduate Route visa to protect the integrity of UK higher education and potential reforms to the entry process for sectors facing shortages. This includes eliminating the 20% discount on the minimum salary for shortage occupation visas and reviewing the types of jobs on the Shortage Occupation List.
These visa adjustments come in response to record-high immigration figures, revealing a net migration of 672,000 to the UK, as reported by the Office for National Statistics. Notably, India dominates the skilled worker, medical professional, and student categories. Cleverly's measures aim to address these trends and establish a more controlled and sustainable immigration system.