29 Nov 2024
Are you aware of recent updates in the UK immigration policies impacting your global money transfer? For years, the UK has been home to millions of migrants. According to the census of 2021–22, almost 10.7 million migrants live in the UK. In the year 2022–23, the government of the UK has updated immigration policies to control the number of expats in a country. In 2024, the UK job market faced several issues due to fewer job opportunities. Considering the declining job market, the UK upgrades immigrant policies with strict rules.
Getting a work permit or work visa has become challenging. Workers worldwide must secure jobs with a minimum annual wage of £38,700. Also, there is an increase in visa fees and healthcare surcharge. One of the significant changes in the UK migration policy is the cancellation of dependent visas. Skilled visa holders and students were allowed to bring their family members with them, but from 2024 onward, no one can bring any family member, even on a spouse visa. Let's dive into the article to learn about the recent immigration policies of the UK:
Migrants in the expat community must stay updated with recent policies to learn about new immigration challenges. Usually, migrants move abroad to earn handsome salaries, have stable lives, and help families by making online money transfers. However, with the policy change, securing a job in the UK has become complex.
There are different types of work visas in the UK, and each follows different guidelines. Common visas for migrant workers include skilled worker visas, health and care worker visas, sponsorship visas, and family visas. However, the UK has made it difficult for expats to secure migrant work visas.
Significant changes have been made to skilled worker visas. To get skilled worker visas, migrants need to pay high fees. Moreover, they must secure a job with a minimum wage of £38,700 annually. Individuals with lower salaries will not be entertained with any type of visa. Therefore, migrants must explore the high-demand industries and jobs to get skilled worker visas.
The government of the UK has made significant changes in the health and care worker migrant visa. Previously, health and care worker visa holders could bring their spouses and kids with them, but not anymore. There will be no dependent visa with the health care worker visa, and the family members of the visa holder have to apply for immigration separately. The purpose is to limit migrants from coming to the UK through this visa.
Moreover, this policy has introduced the cost of health and care worker's visas because family members have to apply separately. These policies have increased the need for money transfer services to maintain the financial connection of expats with their families.
Like other migrant visas, sponsorship policies for migrants have also changed. Firstly, the sponsored employees had to renew their visas after four years, but according to the guidelines, there is no need for renewal for up to 10 years. Although it has saved the cost of visa renewal, the visa fee has increased. The visa holders must secure a minimum salary between £26,200 and £38,700. Furthermore, the government has issued a new Immigration Salary List (ISL), replacing the Shortage Occupation List.
The UK's point-based immigration system has become more strict. The requirements for meeting the minimum salary hold 20% weight, and having a job offer from a licensed sponsor also holds a similar weight. Migrants must clear a language proficiency test to get 10 points toward completing their immigration visa.
A skilled visa is one common way for migrants to move to the UK. To get this visa, migrants need to secure jobs in the UK according to their skills. The validity of this visa is five years, and it is the best way to ensure UK citizenship. However, the UK government has increased the duration of stay for getting citizenship to up to 7 years. As workers cannot bring their dependents, they must look for affordable ways to send money online to their families from the UK.
As per the new policy, the fees for all types of visas have significantly increased. Whether migrants apply for a student or work visa, they must pay more. The skilled worker visa fee has risen to £719 from £625. Often, migrants used to convert or extend their visas, which has become more challenging. Migrants have to follow complex policies to extend their visas. Read more about the new UK visa regulations to get further information.
Migrant workers looking for ways to secure jobs in the UK must consider the exchange rates, immigration policies and highly paid skills in the UK. The below guidelines will help you secure a worker visa:
Global migrants must look for highly in-demand jobs to meet the minimum salary requirement for worker visas. They should explore the job market trends and apply them in relative fields. Nowadays, the UK's most in-demand skills are medical, IT, construction, and finance.
Migrants must stay prepared for all kinds of work conditions because they may need to send money or receive money globally at any time. Opening a bank account will help you manage your finances, deposit in multiple currencies, and remit money.
Migrating workers must consider exchange rates before applying for immigration. Keep an eye on the UK's economic trends and proceed with the application when you find favorable exchange rates. It will save you a significant cost on your work visa.
Every year, many migrant workers move to the UK to find better living opportunities. The UK has served millions of migrants by providing shelter and outstanding career opportunities. Recently, the UK job market has suffered a decline, and there is a shortage of jobs. To control this situation, the government has issued new immigration policies that are more strict and challenging. To get a work visa, migrants need to secure jobs with high salaries, and the visa fee increases. A significant change by the UK government is that migrants cannot bring their dependents now, which has affected the number of migrants in the UK.
The UK always captivates the attention of professional workers due to its developed economy, stable job opportunities, and quality of life. Working in the UK is a dream of many workers, but now achieving this dream has become more complicated. The government of the UK has made several changes in most work visas. Skilled workers and health and care visa holders can no longer bring their spouses, kids, or dependents. The dependents must apply for the visa separately to migrate to the UK.
Several changes have been made in one of the common types of worker visas, such as the skilled worker visa. Now, migrants need to secure jobs with higher salaries to get visas. Furthermore, the point-based immigration system has become more strict. New policies are added to sponsorship visas as the government has ended the process of renewal of visas every four years. Migrants must carefully research the UK job market to secure jobs and proceed with immigration. Keep an eye on exchange rates, look for online money transfer services to deal with finances, and keep an eye on job market trends in the UK.
The UK has made changes to control the flow of migrants in the country. Furthermore, the shortage of employment opportunities has led to strict policies for migrants.
According to the updated policies, healthcare workers cannot bring dependents. The family, including kids or spouses, has to apply separately for the visa.
The minimum salary requirement to secure a skilled worker visa has increased to £38,700 from £26,200, and the visa fee has also shifted.
Yes, extending the visa has become more complicated and requires new strategies. The visa extension fee and salary requirement for continuing the visa have ceased significantly.
ACE keeps global migrants updated with immigration policies so they can make wise decisions. Moreover, ACE provides first-fee transactions to migrants to remit home at favorable rates.
