Understanding Home office April 2 – 4th
In recent correspondence from the UK Home Office, signi...
The UKVI are making some immigration changes in 2024. These changes are driven by the government’s overarching objective of reducing net migration and not only mirror the current administration’s priorities but also carry significant implications for individuals, businesses, and families.
This post outlines a timeline highlighting the major amendments made to the UK’s Immigration Rules in the initial months of this year how it affects Nigerians in the UK.
Furthermore, our aim is to provide Nigerians with a clear understanding of the scheduled implementation dates for upcoming changes to the UK Immigration system in 2024 how it will affect our existing people and Intending people in Care Visa, Student Visa and Work Visa.
The following are key dates and relevant changes to the UK Immigration Rules in 2024 that should be noted:
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2024 | UK Student Visa rules amended; Only PHD (research) students can bring in their dependents while studying in the UK. “If your postgraduate level course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either: a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8) a research-based higher degree” |
| 31 January 2024 | Right to work conditions for Visitors amended to allow remote working; Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor route merged into the Standard Visitor route; new Appendices introduced (Bereaved Partner, Victim of Domestic Abuse, Statelessness). |
| 1 February 2024 | Citizens of Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia) and Jordan must apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit or transit the UK, effective from February 22, 2024. All other non-visa nationals will also need an ETA by the end of 2024. |
| 6 February 2024 | Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) increased by 66%. |
| 13 February 2024 | Increased Fines for illegal working The current penalty for employing an illegal worker is up to £15,000 for a first-time offense and up to £20,000 for repeat offenses. Under the new regime, first-time offenders may face a maximum fine of £45,000 per illegal worker, while repeat offenders could be fined up to £60,000 per illegal worker |
| 11 March 2024 | Care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) not permitted to bring dependents to the UK; care homes in England required to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to sponsor migrants under the Health and Care Worker visa route. |
| 14 March 2024 | New Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament; existing Shortage Occupation List (SOL) replaced with a new Immigration Salary List. |
| 4 April 2024 | Minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa increased from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum. On April 4, 2024, the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa will increase from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum, and occupation-specific thresholds will align with the median full-time wage for equivalent roles in 2023. Existing Skilled Worker visa holders won’t be affected by the new threshold when changing jobs, extending stay, or settling, but their pay is expected to progress similarly to resident workers. Health and Care Visa holders and education workers in national pay-scale occupations are exempt from the £38,700 threshold. These changes will be implemented through a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules on March 14, 2024. There is a New Entrant Discounted Threshold for people under 26, Graduate Visa holders switching to Skilled Worker Visa in less than 2 years that thier student visa expired, PHD students this threshold will be reduced for them by 20% |
| 6 April 2024 | Sponsors (Employers) Do not need to renew their licences Currently, Sponsor Licences are valid for four years, requiring a paid renewal application for extensions. However, starting from April 6, 2024, Sponsor Licence holders will no longer need to renew or pay a fee. Instead, all sponsor licences expiring on or after this date will automatically be extended to expire in 10 years. This change applies universally, affecting both existing and new licences, with the extension being automatic and requiring no action from sponsors. |
| 11 April 2024 | Minimum income requirement for partners applying under Appendix FM increased from £18,600 to £29,000. |
FAQ
Can Undergraduate and Masters Bring in Dependents to UK
NO: As from January 2024, Undergraduates and Masters Students with courses starting from that date cannot bring in their family,
Care Visa Law can existing Care Visa Holder bring in Dependant
Yes existing people on care visa can still bring in their depenant and sponsor dependant already living in the UK after the time
If the new carer after 11 march is in UK already Can they bring in Dependant
New carers after 11 march cannot bring in dependant, even if they have been on Care visa before but has changed and now coming back to care visa after 11 march
If the new carer after 11 march is in UK already Can they sponsor Dependant already in the UK
No they cannot.
As a Care visa holder If I change employer after 11 march will it affect my dependants
No, it will not. You can switch your employer anytime and you will be able to sponsor your dependants.
As a Care visa holder existing before 11 march can I bring in dependants after 11 march
Yes you can. The law doesn’t affect you. You can still bring in dependants from Nigeria.
My Course finished almost 2 years ago, I’m still on graduate I’m I still qualified a New Entrant?
Yes, you are so far you are still in graduate visa and less than 2 years since your student visa expires
My course finished more than 2 years ago, I’m still qualified a New Entrant?
No. The rule says less than 2 years since student visa expires
I have switched to Care visa and want to switch back to Skilled worker I’m I qualified as new entrant?
No. your recent visa must be student or graduate visa to be qualified except you are learning towards a chartered profession.
What is New Entrant Scheme?
New Entrant allows you to be paid up to 20% less than the Salary threshold to be sponsored in the skilled worker scheme (this is different from Care Visa) the Skilled worker threshold will be increased to 38,700. so a new entrant will still be able to be sponsored if their salary is 20% lesser than 30,960
Does the 38,700 affect those on skilled worker already?
No, it only affects new applicants, those already on the the skilled worker visa are exempt from it, even if they change employers/sponsor
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