New Immigration Health Surcharge fee
Published on 3rd February 2024
The new Immigration Health Surcharge fee will come into effect on
6th February 2024. The fee for children, students, their dependants,
and youth mobility workers will be £776 per year. For all other
affected applications, the fee will be £1,035 per year.
Where possible, applicants and employers should try to submit
applications ahead of the rise to benefit from the lower Immigration
Heath Surcharge.
Statement of Changes HC 246
Published on 11th December 2023
On 7 December 2023 the government published a Statement of Changes
in the Immigration Rules. Amongst the changes are:
- Changes to UK Visitor rules
- Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme
- Changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme
-
Introduction of a new route, ‘Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse’
- Introduction of a new route, ‘Appendix Statelessness’
- Introduction of a new route, ‘Appendix Bereaved Partner’
Changes to UK Visitor rules – applicable from 31 January 2024
The UK's list of approved business activities for individuals on a
visit visa has been updated as follows:
-
The prohibition of visitors working directly with clients in an
intra-company context is being removed and visitors will be able
to participate provided it is incidental to their overseas
employment.
-
Remote work is now allowed as a permitted activity, as long as it
is not the primary purpose of the visit.
-
The range of unpaid work activities that legal professionals can
engage in within the UK has been expanded.
-
Scientists, researchers, and academics are now permitted to
conduct research during their visit. However, the changes will not
apply to academics applying for a 12 month visit visa or to extend
their leave within the UK.
-
The Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor route is being incorporated
into the Standard Visitor route, which allows all visitors to
undertake Permitted Paid Engagements without requiring a separate
visa. However, it is important to highlight that individuals
planning to engage in a Permitted Paid Engagement must arrange
their activities prior to their travel to the UK and complete them
within 30 days of their arrival.
Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme – applicable from 16 January
2024
Key changes in the in the EU Settlement Scheme include:
-
Preventing applications as joining family members under the EU
Settlement Scheme from irregular arrivals in the UK (including
small boat arrivals) or entered illegally.
-
Those who enter the UK as visitors and wish to apply as joining
family members under the EU Settlement Scheme will be required to
submit their application within three months of their arrival,
unless they can provide reasonable grounds for a delay in
applying.
-
Curtailment of leave is being extended to include those who had
been granted leave but never met the requirements under the EU
Settlement Scheme. This measure is subject to a right of appeal.
Changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme – applicable from 31 January
2024
Key changes in the in the Youth Mobility Scheme include:
-
Uruguay is being included in the list of participating countries.
-
The number of allocated spots for Japan and South Korea is being
increased.
- The requirement for an invitation letter is being removed.
-
The age limit for South Korean citizens is being raised to 35.
Introduction of Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse – applicable from
31 January 2024
The Home Office will be introducing a new Entry Clearance route
specifically designed for individuals who have been victims of
domestic violence and were left stranded abroad. The new Appendix
will replace the existing rules for bereaved partners and their
dependent children found in Part 8, Appendix FM, and Appendix Armed
Forces of the Immigration Rules. This new route will also be
available for dependent children to apply either concurrently with
or following their parent's application.
Introduction of Appendix Statelessness – applicable from 31 January
2024
Appendix Statelessness will replace the existing rules found in part
14 of the immigration rules. Under the new Appendix partners and
children will no longer be eligible to apply for permission as
dependants. Instead, they will need to meet the requirements
outlined in the family rules of Appendix FM to come to the UK. If
you currently hold leave under the stateless route, you will still
be able to extend your permission under these provisions.
Introduction of Appendix Bereaved Partner – applicable from 31
January 2024
Appendix Bereaved Partner will replace the existing rules found in
part 8, Appendix FM and Appendix Armed Forces. Key changes are:
-
Under the new Appendix, children are also able to apply as
dependants.
-
General grounds for refusal found in part 9 of the rules will
apply.
Should you have any questions relating to these changes, do not
hesitate to contact Migration Advisory Service.
Significant Changes to UK Immigration – Spring 2024
Published on 4th December 2023
On 4 December 2023 the government announced a ‘5 point plan’ to
lower net migration from Spring 2024. These changes are:
Point 1: Reforms to Health and Care visa
-
Care workers under the Health and Care Worker visa will no longer
be able to bring dependants to the UK.
-
Care Homes will have to be regulated by the Care Quality
Commission.
Point 2: Increased general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas
-
The general salary threshold for sponsoring a Skilled Worker will
increase from £26,200 per year to
£38,700 per year. Applications under the Health
and Care visa route will be exempt from the new general threshold.
Point 3: Shortage occupation discount abolished
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The 20% salary discount associated with sponsorship of jobs on the
current Shortage Occupation List will no longer be applicable.
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The government has requested the Migration Advisory Committee
(MAC) to create a new Immigration Salary List, which will replace
the current Shortage Occupation List. The new list will have fewer
occupations compared to the Shortage Occupation List and will
include a general salary discount.
Point 4: Increase in the minimum income for family applications
-
The minimum income threshold for partner visas will be raised from
the current amount of £18,600 to £38,700. The
additional income requirement to sponsor children is yet to be
confirmed.
Point 5: Review of the Graduate route
-
The MAC have been asked by the government to review the Graduate
route to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to
ensure steps are being taken to support pathways into high-quality
jobs for the global talent pool and also to prevent abuse.
The government anticipate that the changes will bring a reduction in
net migration by 300,000 people per year.
Should you have any questions relating to these changes, do not
hesitate to contact Migration Advisory Service.
New Immigration Health Surcharge Set to Come into Effect on 16th
January 2024 or later
Published on 24th October 2023
The planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge will come
into effect no earlier than 16 January 2024 according to
draft regulations. There is an increase for children, students, their dependants,
and youth mobility workers from £470 per year to £776 per year. For
all other effected applications, the fee will rise from £634 per
year to £1,035 per year.
Where possible, applicants and employers should try to submit
applications ahead of the rise to benefit from the lower Immigration
Health Surcharge.