Monitoring Desk
LONDON: The UK has implemented changes to its visa regulations in an effort to restrict the influx of individuals entering the country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that a record-breaking 745,000 people traveled to Britain in 2022.
To control the number of arrivals, the minimum salary requirements for skilled and family visas have been elevated significantly.
For skilled visas, the annual salary threshold has risen from £26,200 to £38,700, while for family visas, it has increased from £18,600 to £29,000. Notably, certain sectors like health, social care, and teaching are exempt from these salary requirements.
Additionally, individuals employed in the social care sector are no longer permitted to bring dependents to the UK. These policy changes came into effect on April 11.
What are the rules about family visas?
Regarding family visas, individuals seeking to reside with relatives who have been granted permission to stay in the UK for over six months must obtain a family visa.
Approximately 82,395 family visas were issued by September 2023, allowing individuals to reunite with their spouses, fiancés, children, parents, or other eligible relatives.
New UK Student Visa Rules
In terms of student visas, the UK government granted a total of 486,107 student visas between September 2022 and September 2023, with a significant portion awarded to citizens of India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States.
Postgraduate students are now eligible to apply for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 18. However, starting from January 2024, international postgraduate students will only be able to bring family members if they are part of a research program.
Furthermore, graduates who have completed their degrees can remain in the UK for up to two years (or three years for doctoral degree holders) under a graduate visa to pursue employment opportunities.
