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UK's Recent Immigration Rule Changes Impact International Job Applicants

The United Kingdom's immigration landscape is undergoing significant transformations with the recent amendments to its immigration rules. We explained some of those proposed changes towards the end of last year. Now, most of those changes are effective from 4th April 2024. These changes, encapsulated in an extensive Statement of Changes released by the Home Office, bring about alterations across various immigration routes, influencing employers and international job applicants. Here, we delve into the essence of these alterations and their implications for those seeking visa-sponsored work opportunities in the UK.

 

Key Changes Overview

The amendments to the UK's immigration rules encompass many modifications, with a notable focus on salary thresholds, occupation codes, and transitional provisions. Among the myriad of alterations, several stand out for their potential impact on organisations and prospective employees:

1. Salary Threshold Adjustments:

One of the most prominent changes involves increases to the general salary threshold, particularly affecting the Skilled Worker route. Effective 4th April 2024, individuals applying for a Skilled Worker visa must meet a minimum salary requirement of £38,700 annually, a significant rise from the previous threshold of £26,200.

Different thresholds apply to specific sectors, such as Health and Care visas. In some cases, you can also be paid less than £38,700 to qualify for the Skilled Worker visa, which is explained below.

2. Revision of Going Rates:

Alongside the general salary threshold adjustments, the minimum salary rates associated with specific job roles, denoted as 'going rates,' have also been revised upwards. For instance, roles falling under the SOC Code for Programmers and Software Development Professionals now require a minimum salary of £49,400 per annum, compared to the previous £34,000.

3. Replacement of Shortage Occupation List:

The conventional Shortage Occupation List has been replaced with a concise Immigration Salaries List (ISL), altering the approach to discounting the going rates for listed roles. While the 20% discount is discontinued, roles on the ISL benefit from a reduced general salary threshold.

4. Updates to SOC Codes:

The list of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Codes eligible for sponsorship has been updated, necessitating employers to ensure accurate code usage and continued eligibility for sponsorship.

 

The New Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

You must meet job and language requirements to be eligible for the skilled worker visa.

1. Regarding Your job

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

  • work for a UK employer that's been approved by the Home Office. On UK Visa Jobs, all job posts are from employers who have been approved by the Home Office.
  • have a 'certificate of sponsorship' (CoS) from your employer with information about the role you've been offered in the UK. CoS can only be obtained once you receive a job offer. In order to have a job offer, you can apply for jobs on UK Visa Jobs and attend interviews.
  • do a job that's on the list of eligible occupations.
  • be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do. But generally, it is £38,700. In some cases, you may be paid less than £38,700 to be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. Details are explained further below.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

2. Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You'll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply. You can find out more about language requirements here.

 

When Can You Be Paid Less?

There are a few ways you might still qualify for a Skilled Worker visa even if your salary is below the standard £38,700 or your job's "going rate." Below are some of the options.

Immigration Salary List (ISL): This list includes specific skilled jobs with lower salary requirements. You'll still need to be paid at least £30,960, but the "going rate" for your job might be lower. There's also a lower visa application fee for jobs on this list.

New Entrants (Under 26, Graduates, Professionals in Training): If you're under 26, a recent graduate, studying for a recognised UK qualification, or working towards professional qualifications, you can qualify with a salary of 70% of the going rate, as long as it's at least £30,960. This applies for up to 4 years total in the UK, including any time on a Graduate visa. This means that most graduate jobs now need to pay you at least £30,960 in order to be able to sponsor you.

PhD Qualifications: Depending on your field, you might qualify for a lower salary based on your PhD. For STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) qualifications, you can earn 80% of the going rate (minimum £30,960). For non-STEM PhDs, it's 90% of the going rate (minimum £34,830). Both require a UK PhD or an equivalent overseas qualification verified by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), and proof your qualification is relevant to the job.

Postdoctoral Positions: If you have a postdoctoral research role in science or higher education, you can qualify with a 70% salary (certain occupation codes apply). This is also limited to a 4-year total stay in the UK, including any time on a Graduate visa.

 

Impact on International Job Applicants

The ramifications of these immigration rule changes extend to international job applicants, particularly those reliant on sponsored visas to work in the UK:

1. Increased Salary Requirements:

Prospective employees must meet elevated salary thresholds, potentially altering the attractiveness of certain job roles and impacting recruitment strategies. An increased salary threshold also means that some jobs may no longer be eligible for visa sponsorship. On UK Visa Jobs, we constantly monitor this and endeavour to provide job applicants with the latest visa-sponsored job opportunities.

2. Navigating Transitional Provisions:

Individuals already holding Skilled Worker visas face transitional arrangements, which could affect their minimum salary thresholds when extending their permissions or changing employers.

3. New Entrant Discounts:

While new entrant discounts remain, they are subject to revised thresholds, potentially affecting the eligibility of graduate roles for sponsorship and necessitating long-term salary adjustments for settlement applications.

4. Enhanced Supplementary Employment Permission:

Skilled Workers benefit from expanded supplementary employment opportunities, offering greater flexibility within certain parameters.

 

Looking Ahead

As the UK's immigration landscape undergoes significant transformations, employers and international job applicants alike must adapt to the evolving regulatory framework. By understanding the implications of the recent rule changes and taking proactive measures to navigate the shifting landscape, organisations and individuals can effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving immigration regime. At UK Visa Jobs, we stay tuned with recent immigration changes and constantly update our listings, reflecting those changes in order to provide reliable and up-to-date visa-sponsored job opportunities for job seekers.