Finding work in the UK has become more difficult for Indians and other international workers as a result of the UK government’s tougher immigration laws. The government is working to lower net migration and match visa pathways with the UK’s long-term security and skills goals.
Important changes:
– Higher Skill Threshold: RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) will no longer be the minimum skill level required for skilled worker visas, instead, RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) will be the new standard. The goal of this shift is to guarantee that “skilled means skilled” and move economic migration toward positions with more difficult entrance requirements.
– Higher Salary Thresholds: In order to reflect the improved qualification requirements, salary minimums will be raised. Prior to its elimination, the Immigration Salary List provided salary threshold discounts.
– Temporary Shortage List: For vocations below RQF 6, a new Temporary Shortage List will be created to grant temporary access to the Points-Based immigration system. Only those sectors that are vital to the industrial strategy or providing vital infrastructure will have the chance to be added to the list.
– Immigration Skills Charge: To keep the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) up to date with inflation, it will be raised by 32%. Workers sponsored in the UK under the Skilled Worker method are subject to this fee.
– Care Visas: Citing systemic misuse, the government aims to restrict access to visas for foreign care workers. In the UK, current carers will be able to keep their visas until 2028.
– Graduate Visa: In an effort to lessen the UK’s perceived appeal as a study destination only for post-study employment prospects, the Graduate Visa’s two-year term will be shortened to 18 months.
– English Language Proficiency: Higher English language proficiency standards will be introduced for migrants and their dependents. Adult dependents will face a tiered English language requirement, starting from CEFR Level A1 (basic user) at first application.
– Settlement and Citizenship: The standard qualifying period for settlement, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), will double from five years to ten years. An “earned settlement” system will be introduced, allowing some migrants to qualify for ILR sooner based on contribution-focused criteria.
The new rules will impact Indian and overseas workers, particularly those in lower-skilled occupations. The closure of care visas will affect migrant care workers, with approximately 39,000 Indian care visas issued in 2023. The increased skill threshold and salary requirements will also make it more challenging for workers to qualify for Skilled Worker visas.
