TIMELINE AND EXPLANATION OF NEW CHANGES TO THE UK IMMIGRATION RULES!

For those who prefer a quick summary, the key dates and relevant changes to the Immigration Rules to be aware of are follows:

1 January 2024: UK Student Visa rules amended to prevent most international students from being accompanied or joined by a dependent whilst studying in the UK;
31 January 2024: Permitted activities for Visitors expanded, right to work conditions for Visitors amended to allow remote working, Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor route merged into the Standard Visitor route and new Appendix Bereaved Partner, Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse and Appendix Statelessness introduced;
1 February 2024: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) application process opened for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan;
6 February 2024: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will increase by 66%;
13 February 2024: Fines for illegal working will triple under a new Civil Penalty regime;
11 March 2024: Care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) will not be permitted to bring dependents to the UK and care homes in England will be required to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in order to sponsor migrants under the Health and Care Worker visa route;
14 March 2024: A new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliament which will replace the existing Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with a new Immigration Salary List;
4 April 2024: The minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum;
6 April 2024: The requirement to renew Sponsor Licences will be removed;
11 April 2024: The minimum income requirement for partners applying under Appendix FM will be increased from £18,600 to £29,000.



6 February 2024: Increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The Immigration Health Surcharge is an upfront cost paid alongside the submission of (most) visa applications so that the individual is entitled to have full access to the National Health Service (NHS) whilst in the UK. There is no limit to how often one can access the NHS. Additionally, there is no option to opt out of the Immigration Health Surcharge even if an applicant believes that they will not use the NHS or would prefer to pay for private health care.

On 13 October 2023, the UK Government announced a substantial 66% increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). A delegated legislation committee of the House of Commons approved the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023 on 16 January 2024. It has now been confirmed that the increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will take effect from 6th February 2024.

On 6 February 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge is increasing for students, student dependants, those applying for entry clearance or leave to remain under the Youth Mobility Scheme, and applications made by children under the age of 18 from £470 per year to £776 per year.

For all other relevant immigration categories for entry clearance or leave to remain in respect of persons aged 18 years or over at the date of application the Immigration Health Surcharge is increasing from £624 per year to £1,035 per year.

11 March 2024: Changes to Health and Care Worker Visa Rules For Dependants
The Health and Care Worker Visa is open to qualified doctors, nurses and other health and adult social care professionals who wish to undertake an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Currently, all Health and Care Workers may be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and/or a dependent child under the age of 18.

However, from 11 March 2024, care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) will not be permitted to bring dependents to the UK.

Care workers and senior care workers already in the Health and Care Worker route will be able to remain with their dependants, including extending, changing employer (within the above SOC codes) and settlement.​

Where a care worker or senior care worker is in the route before the Immigration Rules change, but has not yet brought dependents, they will still be allowed to bring dependents during their sponsorship on the route.

Additionally, from 11 March 2024, care homes in England will be required to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in order to sponsor migrants under the Health and Care Worker visa route.

Care providers who were sponsoring workers in exclusively non-regulated activities (and therefore were not required to be registered with the CQC) before the rules change will be able to continue to sponsor these workers, including for extensions to their visa on those terms, but not hire new ones.

These changes to the Health and Care Worker route will be brought in on 11 March 2024 via a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules that will be laid before Parliament on 19 February 2024.

14 March 2024: Introduction of a New Immigration Salary List
On 14 March 2024, a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliament which will replace the existing Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with a new Immigration Salary List.

The new Immigration Salary List will remove the 20% going rate discount to the minimum salary for shortage occupation roles.

This follows a recommendation from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which will now advise the government on which occupations should be temporarily added to the new list.

Employers should anticipate a reduction in the number of occupations on the list, potentially impacting recruitment strategies in specific industries.

4 April 2024: Increase in Skilled Worker Minimum Salary Threshold
On 4 April 2024, the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum and individual occupation ‘going rate’ thresholds will rise in line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs in 2023.

Those already on the Skilled Worker visa route before the Immigration Rules change will not be subject to the new threshold when they change employment, extend their stay or settle in the UK. The Home Office will, however, expect their pay to progress at the same rate as resident workers when they next make an application to change employment, extend their stay, or settle.

Those coming on the Health and Care Visa route will be exempt from the £38,700 salary threshold applicable to Skilled Workers, as will education workers in national pay-scale occupations.

These changes to the Skilled Worker route will be brought in on 4 April 2024 via a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules that will be laid before Parliament on 14 March 2024.

Source: https://immigrationbarrister.co.uk/timeline-of-recent-and-forthcoming-uk-immigration-rule-changes-in-2024/

obynocute:
Standard..

Wow! Congratulations 🎉.

Good day everyone and kudos to all the resource person here. Please I need assistance on this…..My wife in the UK changed Sponsor and got another COS from her new Sponsor in the UK last year December and she applied for new visa by Jan this year and was successful. I’m presently with my BRP because my business is here, do I need to travel to the UK for application to switch from her old COS to the new one for me to get new BRP or I can apply online from Nigeria. Please 🙏 I need urgent assistance or response.

Could you please advise on what further steps can be taken following the court order?this is the second refusal and It seems like the UK authorities are determined to make this process difficult for individuals. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, I would be grateful for recommendations for an immigration lawyer who can assist with this matter as am considering administrative review

Content of refusal below





originally submitted with your visa application:
• Your passport issued 3
• Letter of consent from your mother
• Tenancy agreement
• Copy of your mother’s bank statement
• Birth certificate
• Letter from Secretary Welfare Office
• Court document dated 16/11/2023
• Letter from your school
• Copy of text message sent to Green-Coat Nursery
• School fees receipt only child’s name on but a bank copy of transaction.
I note that your mother’s visa was granted on February 2023 and you applied for
a visa on December 2023.
The birth certificate that you submitted shows *****as your father and
*********** as your mother.
I note that you have supplied a letter of consent from your mother along with a copy
of your mother’s tenancy agreement. I also note that you have supplied a copy of
your mother’s bank statement and a copy of transaction’s that shows your mother
has paid your school fees for September 2023 and January 2024. However, these
are not visible on your mother’s statements you have supplied. Also, the payment of

these fees is dated after you was refused a visa in February 2023. You have not
supplied any evidence that shows your mother has paid you school fees before
September 2023.
The Home Office wrote to you using the email address provided with your visa
application on the 24th January 2024 to ask if you wanted to provide any more
information, documents or evidence that you wish to be considered with your
application.
We received a reply on 29th January 2024 where you supplied the following
information:
• Another copy of the letter from Secretary Welfare Office and Court document
I acknowledge the letter from Secretary Welfare Office. This letter states: “you (your
mother) are a fit and proper person to take sole custody/guardianship” this does not
show that your mother has sole responsibility for your care only that they think she is
a fit person to be allowed to care for you. I also acknowledge the court document that
you have supplied. However, in paragraph 9 of this document, it states:
“That when the Applicant (your mother) informed the Respondent (your father) of the
need to allow the minor to be under his care while she is away; to give him the
fatherly love and care since the Applicant is not in the country; the Respondent
suggested that the best solution is for the minor to go with the Applicant’.
This document does not show that your father has relinquished his responsibilities for
your care. Also, your father has not provided any evidence relating to any serious or
compelling reasons why he cannot care for you. It was your mother’s personal
decision to depart for the UK and you have not provided sufficient evidence to grant
your visa on serious or compelling grounds under paragraph SW 30.2 (d).
Therefore, I am satisfied that the evidence you have provided does not demonstrates
that your father has no involvement in your upbringing.
I therefore refuse your application under paragraphs SW32A.1 with reference to
paragraph CHI3 (a) and CHI3 (c) of Appendix Children of Immigration Rules

aylagos:
Good day everyone and kudos to all the resource person here. Please I need assistance on this…..My wife in the UK changed Sponsor and got another COS from her new Sponsor in the UK last year December and she applied for new visa by Jan this year and was successful. I’m presently with my BRP because my business is here, do I need to travel to the UK for application to switch from her old COS to the new one for me to get new BRP or I can apply online from Nigeria. Please 🙏 I need urgent assistance or response.

please oooo

aylagos:
please oooo

According to gov UK website, as a dependant, you do not need to apply to switch your visa when the main applicant update his/her VIsa, if your current BRP is still valid. For more explanation
Check out this link
https://www.whiterosevisas.co.uk/blog/post.html?s=does-my-family-need-a-new-visa-when-i-change-jobs

NiceLegs:


And u think am not in UK?

And you gave somebody this kind advise? I doubt that you are in UK because if u are, you will know how the system works. Even if you know someone, you must apply online before anything can be done.

Childofgrace18:


And you gave somebody this kind advise? I doubt that you are in UK because if u are, you will know how the system works. Even if you know someone, you must apply online before anything can be done.

Keep doubting dear.

Your problem. Not mine.

I have given a solid advice that can help somebody.

They can take it or leave it.

Who cares?

I have nothing to loose.

Please does anyone know if an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Nigeria to the UK, with a lay over in Geneva Airport (Switzerland) require a transit visa?

NiceLegs:


Keep doubting dear.

Your problem. Not mine.

I have given a solid advice that can help somebody.

They can take it or leave it.

Who cares?

I have nothing to loose.

You will not last long here if you don't stop this sort of advice here.

Goodly1:
Please does anyone know if an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Nigeria to the UK, with a lay over in Geneva Airport (Switzerland) require a transit visa?

no transit Visa ..your not coming out from the plane

Childofgrace18:


And you gave somebody this kind advise? I doubt that you are in UK because if u are, you will know how the system works. Even if you know someone, you must apply online before anything can be done.

not all jobs are applied online

okeysoninv:
no transit Visa ..your not coming out from the plane

Oh really? Thank you so much.

Please is a Nigerian ATM card (MasterCard or Visa card) useful in the UK? Can it be used to make withdrawals from ATM's in the UK? Thanks.

Goodly1:
Please is a Nigerian ATM card (MasterCard or Visa card) useful in the UK? Can it be used to make withdrawals from ATM's in the UK? Thanks.

That used to be the case years ago (2014 thereabouts)

As of right now, it does not work
The only cards that work from Nigeria are dollar and pounds denominated Mastercard/ Visa

That's what I have using over the years

RodgersAkpafu:


That used to be the case years ago (2014 thereabouts)

As of right now, it does not work
The only cards that work from Nigeria are dollar and pounds denominated Mastercard/ Visa

That's what I have using over the years

Thank you very much for your sane and meaningful response. Someone else is looking for a way to display their immaturity and insolence.

Goodly1:

Thank you very much for your sane and meaningful response. Someone else is looking for a way to display their immaturity and insolence.

Cheers mate

What I will advise is to open a GBP domiciliary account and pay the money inside

RodgersAkpafu:

Cheers mate

What I will advise is to open a GBP domiciliary account and pay the money inside

OK. Thanks.

Goodly1:
Please is a Nigerian ATM card (MasterCard or Visa card) useful in the UK? Can it be used to make withdrawals from ATM's in the UK? Thanks.

yes, uba prepaid dollar card.

okeysoninv:
yes, uba prepaid dollar card.

OK. Thank you so much.

Greetings house and my ogas at the tops,justwise and co.please is it possible for one to receive letter of employment without interview?

Noblesunny:
Greetings house and my ogas at the tops,justwise and co.please is it possible for one to receive letter of employment without interview?

How did you apply for this job? Directly to the company or through an agent?

Noblesunny:
Greetings house and my ogas....please is it possible for one to receive letter of employment without interview?

Na cheap scam

They will tell u to do assessment with one website they will redirect you to for 85£ ..that's if they have not increased it ..

If u lose guard and pay that money...



Ótilor