The UK recent immigration reforms are significantly changing the environment. For immigrants and international students. The first effects of these policies are starting to show. With the Home Office releasing new data this week that indicates a significant. Shift in the patterns of immigration and visa applications.
Effects on Foreign Students
The goal of the UK government’s revisions to immigration and international. Student enrollment regulations is to lower the net migration rate. Tighter regulations on student-dependent visas are. A key change that was implemented in January 2024. As a result, applications for these visas. Have dropped by an astounding 80% when compared to the same period in 2023. This is because students are no longer eligible to apply for spouse visas.
Dependent and Student Visas of UK
UK universities are placing more stringent restrictions on the issuance of dependent. Visas in light of the revised visa policies. Enrolling family members or dependents in government-subsidized postgraduate. Research programs is now restricted for international students.
Furthermore, laws that forbid changing visas before finishing a course are meant. To stop universities from taking advantage of immigration loopholes. Rather than focusing on delivering high-quality instruction.
Visa for Health and Care
The information also reveals a noteworthy difference between primary applicants. And dependents for the Health and Care visa. Although healthcare workers, nurses, and doctors are still permitted. To bring dependents, the government has recently taken steps to address. The excessive and unmanageable number of dependents in this category.
Strikes Against Worker Exploitation
Care providers in England are now required to register with the Care Quality. Commission (CQC) if they act as sponsors for migrants. As part of an initiative to combat worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.
Concerns about cases where visas were given to care workers on false pretenses. Have been raised by the government, which emphasizes the need for regulations. To protect both foreign workers and British citizens.
Salary Ceiling and Upcoming Changes
In addition, future migration statistics will be impacted by the recent increase. In the salary threshold for skilled worker visas, which went from £26,200 to £38,700.
In order to guard against misuse and maintain the caliber of UK higher education. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has also been entrusted. With examining the Graduate route for overseas students. The goal of replacing the Shortage Occupation List with. An Immigration Salary List is to guarantee that immigrants in. Shortage occupations receive wages comparable to those of UK workers.
Although these preliminary findings are encouraging. The government recognizes the need for additional analysis. Future data releases will give us a better idea of how these reforms will affect things in the long run.
