Following the Home Secretary’s announcement on 4 December last year about curbing net migration (see Katherine Sinclair’s blog here), we now have more details about when the changes will come into effect. 

Dates for your calendar are:

6 February 2024 – the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will be increased by 66% to £1,035. While this will not affect those who apply for a health and care visa (as they are exempt from paying the IHS), it will be relevant for those who apply under other routes.

11 March 2024 – two key changes take place on this date:

1. Newly arriving care workers will be banned from bringing immediate family; and
2. Care providers will be required to register with the Care Quality Commission if they are sponsoring migrants.

4 April 2024  - the minimum salary for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will increase from £26,200 to £38,700.  While this does not apply to those who apply for a Health and Care visa, it could be relevant to others.

Early April 2024 (probably 4 April 2024)  – the 20% going rate discount for occupations on the Shortage Occupation List will be abolished in favour of a new Immigration Salary List.  This will follow a (quickly commissioned) report from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) which is due to report by 23 February 2024.  Whilst we envisage the role of care workers and senior care workers remaining on the new Immigration Salary List, it is possible they could be removed from the list, and we await confirmation of this in late February or early March from the MAC.  The Immigration Rules relating to changes to the Shortage Occupation List are due to be laid before Parliament on 14 March 2024.

11 April 2024 – the minimum income requirement threshold for family visas will begin to increase in stages, starting at £29,000.

If your organisation or your employees may be affected by the above changes, it makes sense to get applications in quickly before the changes occur if this is possible.

In addition, you should note that increases to illegal working (civil) penalties will be in force from 13 February 2024. There will be a starting fine of £45,000 per worker and there are more details in our blog here.  This is a good time to ensure that your right-to-work checking processes are up to date. 

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact either Hazel Findlay or Katherine Sinclair in our employment and pensions team.