Spring is finally here. The sun is out, as are snowdrops, daffodils, floral shirts and the government’s 132-page spring Statement of Changes to the UK’s Immigration Rules.
The changes outlined below are (unless otherwise stated) set to be implemented on 9 April 2025.
Employers will be relieved to know these aren’t anything like the sweeping changes we outlined last Spring, which massively hiked up salary thresholds for sponsoring migrants. That’s because an immigration White Paper is expected in the next few weeks, to spell out the government’s direction of travel as the government balances its stated priorities, such as further reducing immigration as well as tackling employers’ skills gaps to fuel economic growth.
Minimum salary threshold rises for skilled workers on discounted rates
Skilled workers must be sponsored on a wage which is the highest of the general salary threshold (generally 38,700, unless a discount applies), the going rate of pay for that particular occupation as defined by the UK government (based on the 50th percentile for pay in that occupation), as well as complying with national minimum wage rules. Employers may sponsor certain categories of skilled workers on discounted minimum rates of pay.
Read more: Skills gap: UK needs one million migrants a year
The general salary threshold for skilled workers on the most discounted rates (those applying for health and care worker visas, as well as those who entered the skilled worker route before April 2024...
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