A host of new immigration rules could come into force in just weeks. The rules, which were laid out on Tuesday (July 1), are part of plans to cut the number of foreign people coming to live in the UK.
The plans will end foreign recruitment for social care worker roles and raise salary thresholds for skilled foreign workers. The baseline minimum salary to get a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £38,700 to £41,700. Meanwhile, the minimum salary will increase from £34,830 to £37,500 for those with a relevant PhD. The first rules changes will be introduced from Tuesday, July 22 if approved by MPs.
As reported by the Standard, the government will also introduce a new time-limited temporary jobs shortage list. It will be in place for below degree level jobs that support key infrastructure projects until the end of next year.
However, these people will no longer be entitled to salary and visa fee discounts. They will also not be able to bring loves ones with them to the UK.
Politicians have warned that clear plans must be developed to train and recruit UK workers. According to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the Government plans a “complete reset” of the current immigration system.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra said: “The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas from occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 and above, approximately A-level skills, to occupations at RQF level 6 and above, mainly graduate professions.
“Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data, ahead of an upcoming thorough review of salary requirements (including discounts) by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).”
Yvette Cooper added: “We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years.
“These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.”