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The Home Office has published a timeline for the implementation of measures to reduce net migration over the next 2 months.

6 February 2024

Immigration Health Surcharge will increase by 66% to £1,035 per year: Update: Confirmed date for increase to Immigration Health Surcharge (shoosmiths.com).

11 March 2024

Care workers and senior care workers will no longer be able to bring dependants. 

The government has previously confirmed that carers already in the UK on this route before this date will be able to continue to bring and remain with their dependants in the UK. 

14 March 2024

Expect publication of changes to the immigration rules for sponsored work including changes to the Shortage Occupation List. 

The current 20% going rate discount for sponsoring workers in shortage occupations is set to be removed and a new ‘Immigration Salary List’ will be introduced. There is not yet any confirmation of the new salary discount for roles included on the new list, although we expect there to be some. The date that the new list will be published has not been confirmed, although we would expect this in early April.

4 April 2024

Increase in the minimum salary required for those applying for a Skilled Worker visa. 

This will increase from £26,200 to £38,700. Skilled Worker applications made before this date will continue to be considered against the current minimum thresholds.

11 April 2024

Minimum income requirement to sponsor someone for a family visa will initially increase to £29,000. 

It will then rise further in stages over the next year. We do not yet have confirmed dates for the future increases, but the government confirm that by “early 2025”, this minimum requirement will have increased to £38,700.

Government updates regarding changes to the immigration system are being announced regularly and with little notice of the change coming into force.

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