By Lucy Adautin
According to UK Home Office, the British Government is shaking up the immigration system for skilled workers in a bid to significantly reduce net migration figures by raising the skilled worker visa salary threshold by 48% and abolishing Shortage Occupation List and 20% salary discount.
These key changes will take effect from April 4, 2024
This means that the minimum salary required to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa is rising by 48%, going from £26,200 to £38,700.
The existing Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is being scrapped. In its place comes a new Immigration Salary List (ISL).
Previously, some occupations on the SOL benefited from a 20% discount on the salary requirement. This discount is being eliminated.
A significant alteration to the UK’s immigration framework includes changes to the Skilled Worker (SW) pathway.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was therefore tasked with a swift evaluation of the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
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The MAC advised eliminating the 20% wage reduction for ISL-designated shortage jobs to protect local workers and prevent migrant exploitation.
The report states that effective April 4, the Skilled Worker visa’s minimum salary will increase from £26,200 to £38,700, a 48% rise, aimed at lowering entrant numbers, easing public service strain, and preventing wage undercutting of local workers by employers hiring inexpensive foreign labour.
Additionally, the family visa’s minimum salary requirement will increase to £29,000 starting from April 11 and is set to reach £38,700 by early 2025, ensuring financial support for dependents in the UK.
The government will maintain the new entrant concession for individuals under 26, offering a 30% reduction on the specific occupation salary threshold and a 20% cut on the general salary limit, with the necessity to meet the higher amount.
