New Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules
The government has recently released its second Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules for the year on March 14, 2024. This 289-page document outlines several significant reforms that are part of the government’s five-point plan to reduce net migration and address issues of abuse within the immigration system. These reforms reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration processes, strengthen border controls, and ensure that immigration policies align with national priorities and economic needs. The Statement of Changes highlights key updates to visa categories, eligibility criteria, and enforcement measures, emphasising a balanced approach that supports legitimate immigration while deterring misuse and unauthorised activities.
Main points addressed in the Statement of Changes:
- Increase in the minimum salary threshold and going rates for the Skilled Worker Visa, with a nearly 50% rise compared to the current threshold. This adjustment aims to ensure that skilled workers coming to the country are offered competitive wages that reflect market standards and contribute positively to the economy.
- Salary increases for other Work Visa routes, aligning with the government’s focus on attracting highly skilled individuals to fill specific roles and address skill shortages in key sectors. These increases are designed to attract and retain talent, driving innovation and economic growth.
- Higher financial requirements for Family Visas, including the Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, and Civil Partner Visa. These adjustments are intended to ensure that individuals and families seeking to join their loved ones in the country can demonstrate sufficient financial stability to support themselves without relying excessively on public funds.
- Overall, these changes reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to manage immigration effectively, balance economic priorities with immigration policies, and address concerns related to abuse or misuse of the immigration system.
Modifications to the Skilled Worker Visa and skilled worker sponsorship
The recent modifications to the Skilled Worker Visa and skilled worker sponsorship reflect the government’s strategic approach to immigration management and its goal of decreasing net migration in the UK. The specifics outlined in the 14 March 2024 Statement are as follows:
- Minimum salary threshold and going rates increase: Effective from 4 April 2024, the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker Visa rises significantly from £26,200 to £38,700. This adjustment is part of the government’s broader initiative to ensure that skilled workers entering the UK are compensated fairly and in line with market standards. Sponsoring employers must pay the minimum salary threshold or the going rate for the job, choosing the higher of the two. Concurrently, adjustments are made to the going rates based on ONS salary data, spanning from the 25th percentile to the median.
- Replacement of the shortage occupation list with the immigration salary list: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has comprehensively reviewed job categories to determine inclusion in the new immigration salary list. This list enables sponsoring employers to offer a 20% discount from the minimum salary threshold, providing incentives for attracting skilled workers. However, it’s important to note that this discount cannot be applied to the going rate, ensuring equitable compensation for employees and preventing undercutting of wages.
- Health and Care Worker Visa modifications: Recognising the crucial role of health and care workers, the government has introduced specific adjustments for this visa category. Employers hiring workers under this visa or in professions with national pay scale-based going rates are exempt from the new minimum salary threshold requirements. The minimum salary threshold for Health and Care Worker Visa roles is raised from £26,200 to £29,000, with updated going rates derived from national pay scales or ONS data. Jobs listed on the immigration salary list benefit from a reduced minimum salary threshold, unless the going rate surpasses this threshold.
- Standard occupational classification codes revisions: Starting 4 April, sponsoring employers must utilise SOC 2020 numbering on certificates of sponsorship. This transition from SOC 2010 to SOC 2020 ensures compliance with updated classification codes, facilitating accurate job categorisation and sponsorship adherence. The revision also aims to streamline administrative processes and enhance the efficiency of the immigration system for both employers and sponsored workers.
The changes to minimum “going rates” for various roles based on a 37.5-hour working week:
| Role | Current SOC 2010 | Current rate (25th percentile) | Current shortage occupation rate (25th percentile) | New rate (50th percentile) – estimate | New rate – new entrant only (50th percentile) – estimate, or £30,960, whichever is higher |
| Chief executives and senior officials | 1115 | £59,300.00 | N/A | £84,100.00 | £58,870.00 |
| Production managers and directors in mining and energy | 1123 | £38,300.00 | N/A | £51,600.00 | £36,120.00 |
| Financial managers and directors | 1131 | £42,800.00 | N/A | £70,000.00 | £49,000.00 |
| Marketing and sales director | 1132 | £50,000.00 | N/A | £83,000.00 | £58,100.00 |
| Human resource managers and directors | 1135 | £36,500.00 | N/A | £49,400.00 | £34,580.00 |
| Information technology and telecommunications directors | 1136 | £47,900.00 | N/A | £80,000.00 | £56,000.00 |
| Civil engineers | 2121 | £34,700.00 | £27,760.00 | £45,500.00 | £31,850.00 |
| Mechanical engineers | 2122 | £33,000.00 | £26,400.00 | £42,500.00 | £29,750.00 |
| Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified | 2129 | £33,400.00 | £26,720.00 | £42,900.00 | £30,030.00 |
| IT business analysts, architects and system designers | 2135 | £37,600.00 | £30,080.00 | £51,700.00 | £36,190.00 |
| Programmers and software development professionals | 2136 | £34,000.00 | £27,200.00 | £49,400.00 | £34,580.00 |
| Chartered and certified accountants | 2421 | £31,300.00 | N/A | £46,800.00 | £32,760.00 |
| Management consultants and business analysts | 2423 | £32,000.00 | N/A | £46,627.00 | £32,638.90 |
| Business and financial project management professionals | 2424 | £39,100.00 | N/A | £52,900.00 | £37,030.00 |
| Actuaries, economists, and statisticians | 2425 | £33,600.00 | £26,880.00 (bio-informaticians and informaticians only) | £48,000.00 | £33,600.00 |
| Quality control and planning engineers | 2461 | £31,600.00 | £25,280.00 | £40,000.00 | £28,000.00 |
| Quality assurance and regulatory professionals | 2462 | £33,300.00 | N/A | £42,500.00 | £29,750.00 |
| Finance and investment analysts and advisers | 3534 | £28,600.00 | £22,880.00 | £40,600.00 | £28,420.00 |
Contact Claim Time Immigration:
Claim Time Immigration Solicitors offers immigration services for different situations. Whether you’re an employer with a sponsor licence, applying for a Family Visa, or already in the UK on a Family Visa and thinking about extending your Spouse Visa or applying for indefinite leave to remain, you might have questions about how the recent changes in immigration rules could affect you.
Our team of expert Immigration Solicitors can answer all your immigration law questions and help you find the right immigration solutions for your needs. Whether it’s understanding sponsor licence requirements, navigating visa applications, or getting advice on settling in the UK, we’re here to help you with clear and straightforward guidance. Contact us today or call us at 0800 970 2727 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration solicitors.
