Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The UK has introduced significantly higher salary thresholds for overseas workers, including Indians, applying for Skilled Worker visas as part of stringent measures to reduce overall migration figures.
Under the Skilled Worker visa route, the salary threshold for an application has surged from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 – marking a substantial increase of 48 per cent.
UK Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized that these measures form part of a “robust and fair package” aimed at curbing the influx of cheap labor from abroad. Cleverly stressed the need to prioritize skilled workers essential to the UK economy while reducing overall migration numbers.
Additionally, on April 11, the minimum income required for overseas applicants to bring their dependents on Family Visas will also witness a notable increase, rising to GBP 29,000 from GBP 18,600. By early next year, this threshold is set to align with the Skilled Worker visa threshold of GBP 38,700, ensuring adequate financial support for family dependents in the UK.
Additionally, the UK has done away with the Shortage Occupation List, which previously allowed employers to pay migrant workers less than their UK counterparts in occupations facing shortages. Instead, a new Immigration Salary List (ISL) has been introduced, which focuses on skilled roles experiencing shortages while also considering efforts to bolster the resident workforce. This shift reflects a renewed emphasis on ensuring that migrant workers are compensated fairly and that efforts are made to address labor shortages through investments in training and development for UK workers. By implementing the ISL, the UK aims to strike a balance between meeting labor market demands and safeguarding the rights and interests of both migrant and resident workers.
The changes reflect the UK government’s commitment to creating an immigration system that prioritizes the country’s economic interests and reduces reliance on immigration across sectors.
