New UK immigration changes Dec 2023.

A new year is awaiting new changes. The resolution for the new year is set for December 2023. The UK government has published on its website its plan to curtail the flow of immigrants to the country.

1. Objective of the Plan:
   • The Home Secretary aims to deliver the most significant reduction in net migration.
   • The plan targets a reduction of around 300,000 people who came to the UK in the previous year.
2. Measures to Reduce Migration:
   • The plan aims to end high numbers of dependants coming to the UK.
   • Minimum salaries for overseas workers and sponsors of family members will increase.
   • Exploitation within the immigration system will be tackled.
3. Changes to Health and Care Visa:
   • Health and Care visas will be tightened to prevent care workers from bringing dependants.
   • Care providers can only sponsor migrant workers for regulated activities.
   • The Health and Care visa review addresses concerns about non-compliance and worker exploitation in the care sector.
4. Increase in Earning Thresholds:
   • The earning threshold for overseas workers will increase by nearly 50%, from £26,200 to £38,700.
   • Minimum income requirements for British citizens sponsoring family members will also rise.
5. Crackdown on Cut-Price Labor:
   • The government will end the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations.
   • A new Immigration Salary List will replace the Shortage Occupation List with a general threshold discount.
   • The Migration Advisory Committee will review the list against increased salary thresholds.
6. Review of Graduate Visa Route:
   • The Migration Advisory Committee will review the Graduate visa route to prevent abuse and ensure it benefits the UK.
7. Financial Contribution by Migrants:
   • The Immigration Health Surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 to ensure migrants make a fair financial contribution to public services.
8. Concerns Addressed:
   • The government responds to concerns about high levels of non-compliance, worker exploitation, and abuse within the adult social care sector.
9. Student Visa Changes:
   • Measures to cut the number of student visas include removing the right for international students to bring dependants (except for postgraduate research courses).
   • International students can no longer switch to work routes before completing their studies.
10. Exemptions:
    • Those on the Health and Care visa route are exempt from the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold increase.
    • Exemptions apply to individuals on national pay scales, such as teachers.
11. Immigration Health Surcharge:
    • The increase in the annual Immigration Health Surcharge is aimed at preventing public services, including the NHS, from being taken advantage of.
12. Statistical Insights:
    • Workers and their dependents constitute a significant proportion of visa grants.
    • Skilled Worker and Health and Care worker visas account for 63% of work grants.
    • The proportion of work-related visas granted to dependants rose to 43% in the year ending September 2023.
13. Timeline:
    • Changes to student visas and the Back to Work Plan are expected to come into force in the new year.
    • The increased earning threshold for overseas workers is set to take effect from the next spring.
14. Government Perspective:
    • Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasizes the need for decisive action to address rising work visa routes and prevent exploitation.
15. Continuation of Carer Measures:
    • The inclusion of carers in the immigration system was initially a response to the urgent need in the adult social care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Today’s measures aim to balance the protection of the NHS and social care systems while addressing concerns about non-compliance and exploitation within the care sector.