Applications for UK Immigration witness major decline as the Immigration Laws undergo significant changes

As the applications for UK Immigration hit record high number at 1.22 million last year,  the United Kingdom (UK) witnessed a remarkable 35% decline in visa applications over the last year, following the implementation of harsher immigration laws aimed at decreasing the country’s intake of foreign nationals.

What led to sudden drop in Immigration Applications for UK?

1. The policy changes, implemented in December 2023, primarily targeted overseas students, preventing them from bringing dependents unless they were enrolled in postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarship programs.
2. UK has implemented a points-based immigration system, similar to Australia, where applicants are assessed based on factors like skills, qualifications, job offers, and salary.
3. New UK Immigration rules have made certain changes to family visa rules for bringing family members to the UK by increasing income requirements and by adding additional documentation.
4. Under the amended Immigration rules, there are now reduced sponsorship options and the number of occupations eligible for sponsorship have been reduced, Which in turn has impacted certain industries and professions.
5. Families of primary visa holders i.e. Spouses and dependents have been affected by the increased income requirements and stricter rules.

Sectors Impacted by Change in UK Immigration rules-

Education Sector – application fell by more than 80%

Education Sector in UK is one of the most impacted sector. Between January and July 2024, study visa applications decreased by 16% compared to the same period in 2023. More notably, visa applications from students’ dependents fell by 81%, indicating the strong impact of the new requirements.

Health Care Workers- – Opting for Other Countries to Immigrate:

As the care workers were added into Skilled workers Visa Category in 2022, the healthcare sector also was severely impacted, with applications for Health and Care Worker visas dropping by 80%. As the emerging trends of immigration of health sector workers show, more health sector workers are increasingly opting for nations with less stringent immigration regulations.

In the new immigration rules, the overall focus is largely evident on ensuring students leave the UK after their studies rather than settling down in UK.

Salary Levels in UK

The UK offers competitive salaries, especially in sectors like finance, technology, and healthcare. However, the recent changes have significantly impacted salary thresholds for visa eligibility.

While many skilled workers are still in demand, those earning lower salaries or in occupations not on the shortage occupation list face challenges.

The UK remains an attractive destination for many, but the nature of immigration has shifted. The focus is now on high-skilled workers, with the country facing challenges in sectors reliant on lower-skilled labor.

Due to the UK’s exit from the EU, some skilled workers might consider other European nations with more relaxed immigration policies.

Unemployment rate lower in UK for most professions, yet UK not preferred destination for immigrants

The UK’s unemployment rate is relatively low compared to many other countries, the increased salary requirements have made it challenging for many in sectors like hospitality, agriculture, and care to meet the criteria for a skilled worker visa.

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