21 Oct 2024
Many Ghanaians travel to the UK in search of a variety of possibilities, including employment in order to send money to Ghana from UK, education, and family reunification. However, because of their intricacy and frequent modifications, understanding UK immigration laws can frequently feel intimidating.
Comprehending this legislation is essential for expatriates from Ghana to ensure a seamless transition and a prosperous stay in the United Kingdom. This book offers important information about the immigration laws and routes that are most pertinent to Ghanaians.
The UK government tightened immigration controls and addressed labor shortages in particular industries by introducing several major adjustments to its visa restrictions in 2024. For Ghanaian expatriates, particularly those looking for employment, family reunions, or permanent residency in the UK, these changes provide much-needed updates. These new policies aim to balance the need for skilled labor with stricter immigration enforcement, affecting both new applicants and those already residing in the UK.
Major changes will be made to the UK's immigration laws in 2024 affecting a number of different visa types. Notably, the wage criterion for the skilled worker visa has climbed to £38,700, while the threshold for the spouse visa increased to £29,000 in April 2024. Ghanaian expatriates who intend to work or reside in the UK are impacted by these changes.
Additionally, there are now stricter limitations on family migration, making it illegal for foreign caretakers and students to enter the nation with dependents. In addition, the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) has increased to £1,035 annually, and the 20% discount for certain jobs has been removed from the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). It may also be difficult to think of earning and making an online money transfer to Ghana for your family back home as a single earning hand.
Although the conditions have changed, the skilled worker visa is still a desirable choice for competent Ghanaian professionals wishing to work in the UK. The minimum yearly salary required of applicants is currently £38,700, or the "going rate" for their particular occupation, whichever is higher with incomes that often reach these new levels, sectors like technology, engineering, and healthcare present substantial potential for Ghanaian individuals who possess the requisite training and credentials.
The changes may also result in a quicker visa application procedure for highly qualified employees in fields where there is a skills shortage. However, people in lower-paying positions or sectors may find it difficult to meet the new income standards.
Under the new immigration restrictions, Ghanaian students who wish to study in the UK would be subject to stricter requirements. It is now increasingly difficult for international students to remain in the UK after finishing their studies due to the reduction in post-graduation work opportunities. There are now more compliance checks in place for the well-liked Graduate Route, which permits foreign students to stay in the UK for up to two years (or three years for holders of PhDs). Ghanaian students may expect more scrutiny if they intend to switch to work visas after graduation.
The 2024 amendments have a big influence on the Family Visa category, especially for Ghanaian expats who want to bring their family to the UK. The financial requirements have increased, meaning that candidates must now show that they have sufficient savings or income to maintain their families. This also includes the receipts to send money to Ghana. The purpose of this is to guarantee that immigrants can provide for their families independently of government assistance.
April 2024 saw an increase in the income requirement for the Spouse Visa to £29,000, with more hikes likely to come. These modifications result in a more difficult financial demand for Ghanaian expats who wish to bring their partners to the UK. The barrier for those depending on savings has increased to £88,500, a substantial increase from the previous child-related income requirements that have been eliminated.
Under the 2024 immigration regulations, Ghanaian expatriates seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK will now have to meet more stringent standards. Foreign nationals must pass the Life in the UK exam, prove their financial stability, and have resided continuously in the UK for five years in order to be granted permanent status. Higher requirements for English language skills must also be met by applicants.
Due to these modifications, foreign nationals living in Ghana will need to carefully consider their route to permanent residency and make sure they fulfill all prerequisites for a smooth transfer from temporary to permanent status.
Employers who wish to sponsor talented workers from Ghana and other nations are also impacted by the new immigration laws. Businesses need to adhere to more stringent regulations and make sure they fulfill the revised sponsoring standards, which include proving the position has to be filled and that it conforms with UK immigration legislation.
This implies that although getting a job in the UK through sponsorship may be harder for Ghanaian workers, the procedure will be more open. The hiring of skilled migrants will require employers to confirm that all legal requirements are satisfied, which will result in a more streamlined but controlled sponsoring procedure.
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which provides new guidelines for Ghanaian expats looking to work in the UK. For some occupations, the ISL establishes a wage criterion that is 20% lower than the general salary requirement. This implies that depending on their employment category, foreign nationals in suitable roles may need to make £23,200 or £30,960.
It is now necessary for foreigners to achieve the full wage criteria for the majority of professions, as the ISL also eliminates the prior 20% salary deduction for "going rate" occupations.
A change to the Home Office's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes may have further implications for Ghanaian foreign nationals applying for sponsored visas. Under the revised SOC codes, certain lower-skilled positions, like nannies and sales assistants, will no longer be eligible for visa sponsorship. Those who currently have visas for certain positions may continue requests for renewals of their visas, but they will not be able to change jobs without fulfilling the new SOC requirements.
Regulations would also be more stringent for Ghanaian foreign nationals applying for permanent residency under the 10-year ILR route. Applicants must not have had more than 180 days off in any 12-month period during the previous ten years, starting in April 2024. It is now necessary for expats to keep meticulous records of their time spent outside the UK as a result of this new requirement, which harmonizes long-term residency laws with general UK settlement regulations.
For Ghanaian expatriates, understanding the constantly changing immigration laws in the UK is crucial. Various types of visas and unique situations will determine the opportunities and challenges associated with the 2024 visa modifications. Making wise decisions while applying for UK visas depends on keeping up with these updates.
You can concentrate on the process of applying for a visa with ACE Money Transfer’s assistance, knowing that your remittance requirements will be satisfied. With ACE's safe and simple money transfer to Ghana services, you may fulfill your international ambitions and keep in touch with your loved ones back home.
In 2024, the minimum salary requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa has increased to £38,700 or the “going rate” for the specific occupation, whichever is higher. This is a significant change for Ghanaian expats seeking employment in the UK, particularly in fields like healthcare and STEM, where wages are generally higher.
As of April 2024, the minimum income requirement for the Spouse Visa has been raised to £29,000. If applicants are relying on savings to meet the financial criteria, the threshold is now £88,500. These higher requirements make family reunification more challenging but still possible for those who meet the criteria.
Yes, Ghanaian students in the UK will face stricter regulations, particularly when transitioning to work visas after graduation. While the Graduate Route is still available, compliance will be more closely monitored, and additional restrictions may be introduced in the future.
Yes, but the financial requirements have increased in 2024. Ghanaian expats must now meet higher income thresholds to bring family members to the UK, ensuring they can support them without relying on public funds.
The revised 10-year-long residence ILR rules now require Ghanaian expats to have no more than 180 days of absence in any 12-month period over the last decade. This tighter regulation aligns with the general settlement rules and affects those applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
