Europe New UK Immigration Rules Spark Concerns for Nigerians

Image Credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

The UK introduces stringent immigration rules, aiming to cut annual immigration by hundreds of thousands. Home Secretary James Cleverly announces measures, requiring higher earnings for work visas and limiting family reunification.

New UK Immigration Rules: Key Changes Unveiled

1. Increased Earnings Requirement: Effective spring 2024, the earnings threshold for obtaining a skilled worker visa will rise from £26,200 ($33,000) to £38,700 ($48,900). British citizens sponsoring foreign spouses will also need to meet this higher threshold.
2. Impact on Health and Social Care: While health and social care sectors remain exempt from the salary rule, overseas care workers will no longer be able to bring dependent relatives to the UK, potentially reducing their willingness to relocate.
3. Removal of 20% Wage Discount: The government plans to eliminate the rule allowing employers in certain sectors on the "shortage occupation list" to pay immigrant workers 20% less than UK citizens.
4. Restrictions on Family Members: Starting January, most foreign graduate students will no longer be allowed to bring family members to the UK.
5. Projected Reduction in Eligibility: Home Secretary James Cleverly anticipates a decrease of 300,000 individuals eligible to move to the UK in the coming years, aiming to address concerns about overstretched public services.

These measures, driven by the UK government's commitment to reducing immigration, have sparked criticism for their potential impact on essential sectors and overall workforce dynamics. Critics argue that immigrants play crucial roles in filling essential jobs and contributing positively to the economy, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to immigration policies.