Recent changes in UK immigration rules

The United Kingdom has introduced several significant changes to its immigration policies concerning work, student, and family visas in recent years. Below is a detailed overview of these changes:​

Student Visa Reforms:

• • Dependents:
    • Effective Date: From January 1, 2024, international students commencing courses are generally prohibited from bringing dependents to the UK, except for those enrolled in PhD or research-based higher degree programs.
    • Purpose: This measure aims to reduce net migration by limiting the number of dependents accompanying international students.
  • Switching to Work Visas:
    • Restriction: International students are no longer permitted to switch from the student visa route to work visas before completing their studies.
    • Exceptions: Students on degree-level courses or above may switch to a work route after course completion, provided their employment start date is post-completion. PhD students can switch after 24 months of study.

Work Visa Modifications:

• • Salary Thresholds:
    • Increase: The minimum salary requirement for sponsoring overseas workers has been raised to £38,700, nearly a 50% increase from the previous threshold of £26,200.
    • Implementation: This change aims to ensure that sponsored workers are filling roles that meet the UK’s skill and salary standards.
  • Dependents of Health and Social Care Workers:
    • Restriction: Overseas care workers are no longer allowed to bring family dependents under their visa provisions.
    • Impact: This policy affects many care workers who previously relied on the ability to bring dependents to the UK.

Family Visa Adjustments:

• • Financial Requirements:
    • Increase: The minimum income threshold to sponsor a spouse or partner visa has risen from £18,600 to £29,000, with plans for further increases to £34,500 and £38,700 in the coming years.
    • Savings Option: Applicants can still meet the financial requirement through savings, specifically £62,500.
    • Transition: These changes do not affect individuals already on a spouse or family visa route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or those holding a fiancé visa prior to the changes.

Additional Policy Developments:

• • Visa Application Decline:
    • Statistics: There has been a 37% decrease in visa applications over the past year, with only 772,000 applications recorded compared to 1.24 million in the previous year.
    • Contributing Factors: This decline is attributed to restrictive immigration policies, including bans on dependents accompanying overseas care workers and students, and the increase in the skilled worker salary threshold.
  • Fee Increases for Sponsorship:
    • Change: On April 6, 2025, the Home Office increased fees for digital certificates of sponsorship by 120%, with the fee rising from £25 to £55 for seasonal workers and £525 for skilled workers.
    • Employer Impact: Employers are legally barred from passing this cost onto employees, leading to significant financial implications for businesses reliant on migrant labor.

These policy changes reflect the UK’s efforts to manage immigration, prioritize certain skill sets, and address public concerns about migration levels. Individuals affected by these changes should stay informed and consult official government sources or immigration advisors for personalized guidance.