Impact of New UK Immigration Rules: Visa Applications Drop by 33%

The number of overseas workers, students, and their families applying for UK visas has seen a significant decrease of nearly one-third over the past year. This decline coincides with recent rule changes introduced by the Conservative government, aimed at tightening immigration controls.

These new regulations, which came into effect in mid-2023, have notably restricted most international students and health and social care workers from bringing their families to the UK.

Home Office Data Highlights the Impact

Provisional data from the Home Office indicates that visa applications from migrants and their family members dropped from approximately 141,000 in July 2023 to just 91,000 in July 2024.

The health and social care sector took a significant hit, as applications for care worker visas plummeted by 80%, dropping to just 2,900.

Government’s Stance on Immigration

The Home Office spokesperson stated that although immigration brings numerous benefits to the UK, the government must manage it through a fair and controlled system. The government emphasized its commitment to developing a domestic workforce to address skill shortages, reducing the country’s reliance on foreign workers.

Also Read: UK Visa Guide: Updated Visa Options for Students and Workers

Sector Concerns Over Workforce Shortages

The impact of the new immigration rules has raised concerns across the care sector in the UK. Many workers are reportedly returning to their home countries or relocating to regions with more favourable immigration environments.

Experts warn that building a domestic workforce to fill these gaps will take several years, potentially leading to unsustainable vacancy levels in the sector.

Universities and the Decline in Student Visas

The reduction in international student visa applications could have severe consequences for UK universities, which are already facing financial pressures. The Migration Observatory suggests that country-specific issues, such as the Nigerian currency crisis, may also be contributing to the decline in student applications.

Tightened Immigration Rules and Their Effects

The immigration restrictions introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2022 aimed to bring down record-high immigration levels. Although legal net migration reached 764,000 in 2022, it saw a 10% decline in the following year.

However, the Office for National Statistics cautioned that it is too early to determine if this marks the beginning of a sustained downward trend.

Raising the Bar for Skilled Workers

The UK government has raised the minimum salary requirement for skilled overseas workers from £26,200 to £38,700. To qualify as a skilled worker, applicants must now accumulate 70 points under the points-based system introduced in 2020, with points awarded for factors such as job offers in shortage occupations or holding advanced degrees.

While these changes aim to reduce immigration, early data suggests that the higher salary threshold has not yet had a significant impact. The salary threshold for bringing family members to the UK was also proposed to increase, but it was ultimately revised to £29,000, with the current Labour government maintaining this level pending a review.

Key Points:

• The minimum salary for skilled workers raised to £38,700.
• Applicants need 70 points under the points-based system.
• Points awarded for shortage occupation jobs or PhDs.
• No clear impact observed from the higher salary threshold yet.
• The family member salary threshold is set at £29,000, awaiting further review.

Conclusion

As the UK continues to adjust its immigration policies, the effects are being felt across various sectors, from healthcare to education. While the government aims to build a stronger domestic workforce, concerns remain about the short-term impact on industries heavily reliant on overseas talent.

(Source and Inputs from BBC)