The Home Office has issued further clarification on the changes to UK business immigration
Following the UK Government’s policy to reduce net migration, the Immigration Health Surcharge (“IHS”), occupation-related going rates of pay and the general salary thresholds are set to increase.
Visa applicants will also be seeing an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (“IHS”) coming into effect on 6 February 2024. The charge is set to rise by 66%, namely from £624 a year to £1,035 a year, for all the relevant categories for entry clearance or leave to remain applications in respect of persons aged 18 or over. Children under the age of 18 will be seeing an increase from £470 a year to £776 a year.
Other changes to business immigration are due to come into effect in April 2024, when the new general salary threshold is set to increase from £26,200 to £38,700 for all jobs at Level 3 or above on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Following this change, it is likely that employers will only be willing to sponsor more senior roles in order to avoid paying over the market rate for more junior roles. This increase, however, will not apply to individuals on Health and Care visas and education workers on national pay scales.
Another change is that those on Health and Care visas will no longer be able to bring their dependants to the UK. Those already holding this visa will be allowed to remain with their dependants when extending, changing employment and applying for settlement.
If you would like to know how these changes apply to you, please contact a member of our UK Inbound Immigration Team who will be happy to assist you with your immigration queries.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2024