Recent changes in immigration policies in the United Kingdom (UK) are reshaping the landscape for international students and immigrants.
New data from the Home Office underscores the initial impacts of these reforms, indicating significant shifts in visa applications and migration patterns.
The UK government’s revisions to immigration and international student enrollment policies aim to lower the net migration rate.
A key alteration introduced in January 2024 tightens regulations on student-dependent visas, resulting in an impressive 80% decline in applications compared to the same period in 2023, as students are no longer eligible to apply for spouse visas.
In tandem with the updated visa policies, UK universities are imposing stricter criteria for granting dependent visas. International students now face limitations on enrolling family members or dependents in government-subsidized postgraduate research programs.
Additionally, measures to prevent visa switching before completing the course are intended to prevent institutions from exploiting immigration channels instead of providing quality education.
The data also sheds light on the Health and Care visa, revealing a significant difference between main applicants and dependents. While healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and allied health workers can still bring dependents, recent government actions aim to address the disproportionate number of dependents in this category.
To combat worker exploitation and abuse in the care sector, care providers in England must now register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if they act as sponsors for migrants.
The government has expressed concerns about instances where care workers have been offered visas under pretenses, highlighting the need for regulatory measures to protect migrants and British workers.
Furthermore, the recent increase in the salary threshold for skilled worker visas, from £26,200 to £38,700, is expected to impact future migration statistics.
Additionally, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been tasked with reviewing the Graduate route for international students to prevent abuse and uphold the quality of UK higher education.
Replacing the Shortage Occupation List with an Immigration Salary List ensures migrants receive compensation comparable to UK workers in shortage occupations.
While these initial findings are promising, the government recognizes the need for further evaluation. Future data releases will provide a clearer picture of the long-term effects of these reforms in the UK.
Stay tuned to WOW360.
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