UK's Family Visa crackdown to impact many Indian family plans

The UK government announced on December 4 a series of stringent visa regulations aimed at reducing the nation's immigration figures. These revised rules entail elevating the salary threshold for skilled foreign workers applying for visas and imposing stricter guidelines concerning the inclusion of family members as dependents.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attributed the move to the high levels of immigration, stating that these bold measures would effectively lower migration, thereby ensuring its alignment with the United Kingdom's best interests. Sunak emphasized on social media platform X, "Immigration is excessively high. Today, we are taking decisive action to reduce it. These measures will guarantee that immigration always serves the best interests of the UK."

In an online statement, Sunak highlighted, "We've just announced the biggest ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history."

During an address to the House of Commons, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly unveiled a comprehensive immigration crackdown that would impact Indian nationals as well. Under these new measures, individuals on Health and Care visas, particularly medical professionals, will no longer be allowed to bring their family members to the UK.

From March/April next year, the income threshold is hiked, inevitably set to have a significant impact on applicants from the Indian subcontinent – with Indians making up the second-highest cohort under the Family Visa in the past year (5,870) after Pakistanis (15,038), as per official Home Office statistics.

For various skilled worker visa categories, the salary threshold is set to rise significantly from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700. This augmented threshold will also apply to the family visa category, which currently stands at GBP 18,600. Cleverly stressed the need for a fair, consistent, legal, and sustainable immigration policy.

He projected that the combined effect of these measures, along with a reduction in student dependents, is anticipated to result in approximately 300,000 fewer individuals arriving in the UK compared to the previous year. Cleverly introduced a five-point plan effective from the first half of 2024, following his recent appointment to the Home Office.

Among the outlined plans is a review of the Graduate Route visa to uphold the integrity of higher education in the UK, signalling a potential tightening on dependents within that post-study route. Additionally, the government aims to reform the entry process for individuals in sectors experiencing staff shortages. This involves discontinuing the 20% discount on the minimum salary for shortage occupation visas and reviewing the job types listed on the Shortage Occupation List.

The UK government has implemented several key measures to address immigration concerns, including:

1. Dependent Restrictions: A strategy aimed at reducing migration by restricting the entry of dependents into the UK, forming a crucial part of their immigration management approach.

2. Salary Threshold Increases: A substantial rise in minimum salaries for overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members. Overseas workers' earning threshold will see a nearly 50% surge, rising from £26,200 to £38,700, with a similar increase for British citizens sponsoring family members.

3. Health and Care Visa Tightening: Previously significant for care workers and their dependents, the Health and Care visa will face new restrictions. Overseas care workers can no longer bring dependents to the UK, and care providers can only sponsor migrant workers involved in activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

4. Crackdown on Cut-Price Labor: Measures to eliminate the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce an Immigration Salary List. The Migration Advisory Committee will review this list to align with increased salary thresholds, addressing concerns related to cut-price labour.

5. Student Dependent Restrictions: Implementation of measures to address the rise in students bringing dependents to the UK, is expected to significantly impact net migration, with approximately 153,000 visas granted to dependents of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023.

This visa crackdown responds to record-high immigration figures released by the Office for National Statistics, reporting a net migration of 672,000 to the UK. India dominates several visa categories, including skilled workers, medical professionals, and students.