UK Implements New Measures to Reduce Legal Immigration
The UK government has announced changes to visa requirements aimed at reducing net migration. Starting next spring, the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa will increase to £38,700 per year, with exemptions for health and care workers and those on national pay scales. The minimum income requirement for family visas will also rise to £38,700 per year, impacting lower-income groups. Overseas care workers will no longer be able to bring their families to the UK. The 20% salary discount for shortage occupation list jobs will be scrapped, and the healthcare surcharge will rise to £1,035. Additionally, the government is reviewing the graduate visa route to prevent abuse of the system.