New UK Immigration Rules Explained: What You Need to Know

Are you considering coming over to the UK for work, studying, or maybe joining family? If that’s the case, we would like to bring your attention to the fact that the UK has implemented some modifications to its immigration policies in the years 2024 and 2025. These alterations impact employers, international students, family members of citizens residing in the UK, and even healthcare professionals.

Changes to Skilled Worker Visa

Higher Salary Needed for Work Visas

If working in the UK as a Skilled Worker visa holder is your goal, you will have to adjust your expectations, as things have gotten tougher financially. The government has increased the bar from £26,200 to £38,700 per year.

In simple words, you have to be ready to accept a job that pays you a minimum of £38,700 if you wish to obtain a visa. This policy came into effect in April 2024.

New Job List for Skilled Workers

The UK now has the Immigration Salary List. Previously, if your job was on the list, you could get a visa even if you earned 20% less than the required salary.

Now that discount is gone. You must be paid the full salary as mentioned on the new list.

Family Visas Are Now Harder to Get

You Must Earn More to Bring Your Partner

In essence, individuals wanting to bring their partners or spouses to the UK will now require a significantly higher income than they did prior.

The minimum income required increased from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024. It is also expected to go up further to £38,700 later this year.

Student Visa Rules Are Now Stricter

Most Students Cannot Bring Family Members

Before 2024, many international students could bring their husbands, wives, or children with them to the UK. Now, the rule has changed. Only certain students can do this:

• Those on government-sponsored courses that are longer than six months.
• Students taking research-based master’s or PhD courses.

If you are coming to study a normal master’s or undergraduate course, you can no longer bring your family with you. This rule started in January 2024.

More Checks on Student Visas

The UK now checks more carefully if students are really coming to study. Schools must also show that they are following the rules properly. If a school or college has had problems before, it may not be allowed to sponsor new students.

Changes for Health and Care Workers

No More Dependents for Care Workers

In the past, care workers could bring their family members with them. Now, as of March 2024, this is no longer allowed.

This means if you are coming to work as a care worker in the UK, your partner and children cannot come with you on your visa.

Also, only care homes that are checked and approved by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) can hire workers from outside the UK.

Higher Fees and Charges

More Expensive Health Surcharge

If you are coming to the UK for more than six months, you need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This gives you access to the NHS (National Health Service).

The cost has gone up in February 2024:

• For most people: £1,035 per year (before it was £624).
• For students and children: £776 per year (before it was £470).

This must be paid every year of your visa, and it adds up fast, especially for families.

Higher Fines for Hiring Illegal Workers

The UK is also making sure that companies do not hire workers who are not allowed to work in the country. Starting February 2024, the fines for breaking this rule have gone up:

• First-time offence: £45,000 per worker (was £15,000).
• Repeat offence: £60,000 per worker (was £20,000).

This means companies must check visas properly before hiring anyone.

Fewer People Moving to the UK

Because of all these new rules, fewer people are now moving to the UK. In 2023, the number of people coming was around 860,000, but after these changes, it dropped to about 431,000 in 2024. That is almost half.

The biggest drops were seen in student numbers and their family members. Work visa numbers have also gone down because of the higher pay rules.

What This Means for You

If you are thinking of moving to the UK, here’s what you need to remember:

• Make sure your job offer pays enough — at least £38,700 unless you’re in health, care, or education.
• If you want to bring a partner, you need to earn at least £29,000 (and soon maybe more).
• Most students cannot bring family members anymore.
• Health and care workers cannot bring dependents.
• Visa fees and health costs are now much higher.
• If you are in the UK without a valid visa, it’s now much riskier.

A New Era for International Students and Professionals in the UK

Due to its high-quality education, excellent job opportunities, and rich culture, the United Kingdom has always been an attractive place to visit for international students and skilled workers. However, recent changes in immigration policies by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government could change this. The newly published Immigration White Paper has provided precise details around the new policies aimed at making restrictions more severe.

Key Changes Affecting Migrants

1. Extended Settlement Period
   One key aspect of the new policy is extending the indentured period of the “Indefinite Leave to Remain” (popularly known as ILR) to a decade from five years.
2. Tougher English Language Requirements
   The rigour for English examinations has been made stricter for the primary applicants and their dependents.
3. Shortened Post-Study Work Opportunities
   Due to the changes in the Graduate Route policy, the time provided for student retention post-education has also been shortened. Doctoral graduates can now stay for three years, but other students will be capped at eighteen months.
4. Closure of the Health and Care Worker Visa
   The Health and Care Worker Visa will be cancelled alongside other international routes for the health and social care sector professionals.

This change is part of the government’s plans to lessen net migration, reduce reliance on foreign workers, and make immigration routes more restrictive. While these changes seek to achieve the government’s aim of restructuring the UK labour market, they also put into jeopardy the UK’s competitiveness and its ability to attract international skilled professionals.

Final Thoughts

The UK has changed its immigration rules to make it harder for people to come without strong reasons, like high-paid jobs or research-based studies. These rules affect thousands of people, including students, workers, and families.

If you plan to live, work, or study in the UK, it’s very important to check the latest visa rules and prepare carefully. A small mistake could cost you a lot of money — or even the chance to move.

Always use the official gov uk website for the most up-to-date information, and if you are unsure, talk to a qualified immigration adviser.