The United Kingdom has raised the salary criteria for foreigners applying for work visas.
To meet the Conservative Party’s goal to cut net migration, the administration led by Rishi Sunak, who is facing an impending general election, has announced a slew of new policies. salary
These include a significant increase in the salary threshold for people wishing to live in the United Kingdom.
On Monday, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the reforms in the House of Commons, revealing that applicants seeking working visas must now have a minimum annual salary of £38,700 (GH587,578), up from £26,000 previously. Cleverly outlined the government’s goal of reducing net yearly immigration by 300,000 in the coming years, but no specific timeline was specified.
Cleverly mentioned limits on international caregivers bringing family dependents as one of the additional steps. The government also intends to eliminate the 20% pay discount that businesses can provide to workers on the shortage occupation list.
Cleverly emphasized the government’s commitment to helping people in need while also addressing public worries about immigration. “The British people will always do the right thing for those in need,” the prime minister said. “But they also—and they are right to want to—reduce overall immigration numbers, not only by stopping the boats and shutting down the illegal routes but by a well-managed reduction in legal migration too.”
Responding to soaring immigration data released last week by the Office for National Statistics, which revealed a net influx of 672,000 migrants in the fiscal year ending June, Rishi Sunak, under great criticism from within the Tory party, highlighted the government’s commitment to resolving this issue. Party strategists see immigration and the perceived failure to reduce total numbers as critical political issues.
As the UK prepares for a pivotal general election, these steps show the government’s proactive posture on immigration, attempting to address concerns and fulfill electoral promises.