UK Tightens Rules on Foreign Workers to Curb Migration

The government of United Kingdom has introduced new measures aimed at reducing the number of foreign workers entering the country. This move is part of its broader strategy to lower net migration and reduce dependence on international recruitment in sectors heavily reliant on overseas talent.

Key Changes for Foreign Workers

The UK government has tightened visa rules for foreign workers, increased investigations, and raised the minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas.

1. Reduced Visa Sponsorship

The UK government has introduced stricter rules for visa sponsorship, making it harder for employers to hire foreign workers. These changes require employers to adhere to more rigorous employment standards to secure or maintain their sponsorship licenses, limiting access to overseas talent.

2. Increased Investigations

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is intensifying its scrutiny of employers sponsoring foreign workers. This includes increased site visits and more thorough investigations, with penalties such as suspension or revocation of sponsor licenses for non-compliance, ensuring stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

3. Higher Salary Threshold

The minimum salary requirement for the UK Skilled Worker visa has been significantly raised, from £26,200 to £38,700. This higher threshold reduces the number of lower-wage foreign workers eligible for the visa, pushing employers to offer higher wages to attract overseas talent.

4. Sector-Specific Monitoring

The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee will closely monitor sectors facing skill shortages, providing annual assessments to guide future immigration policies. This sector-specific monitoring aims to address critical workforce needs while enforcing the government’s goal to reduce net migration.

Impact on Healthcare and Social Care

The UK’s health and social care sector, which has long relied on international workers, is already feeling the effects of these restrictions.

• In the year ending June 2024, the UK granted 89,095 health and care worker visas—a 26% drop compared to the previous year.
• During the period from April to June 2024, visa approvals for these workers plummeted by 81%.

Marley Morris, associate director for migration, trade, and communities at the Institute for Public Policy Research, expressed concern over these changes. “The social care sector is still struggling with recruitment, and the government will need to monitor the situation closely to avoid a further staffing crisis,” Morris told Reuters.

Monitoring of Key Sectors

The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee will continue to assess sectors facing critical skill shortages. Their yearly reports will guide future decisions on immigration policies, helping ministers address the country’s workforce needs while maintaining strict immigration controls.

Final Words

These new restrictions, while aiming to reduce net migration, could worsen staff shortages in critical sectors like health and social care, further complicating the country’s efforts to fill vacancies in these essential fields.

(With Inputs from Reuters)