UK immigration update - March 2024
On 14 March the government published an updated statement of changes to the immigration rules. Reforms have been put in place in aim to address immigration system abuses and reduce net migration.
Key updates
1. Salary threshold adjustments for Skilled Workers.
- Under the Skilled Worker route employers must pay sponsored migrants at least the general salary threshold or the occupation-specific ‘going rate’ (whichever is higher).
- Effective from 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold for skilled workers will increase £26,200 to £38,700.
- Higher minimum ‘going rates’ for the Skilled Worker Standard Occupational Codes.
2. Salary threshold adjustments for global business mobility.
- Effective from 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold for Global Business Mobility Workers (Senior or Specialist Worker) will increase from £45,800 to £48,500.
- The general salary threshold for Global Business Mobility Workers (graduate trainee) will increase from £24,220 to £25,410.
3. The old Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is being replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Effective from 11 April 2024.
- The ISL includes occupations where the government considers it sensible to offer a discounted salary threshold, rather than being a list of all occupations experiencing labour shortages (as under the shortage list).
- The ISL will allow for individuals in these occupations to meet a general salary threshold that is 20% less than the general salary threshold.
- Currently, 23 occupations are included on the list.
4. The existing standard occupation classification (SOC) system (SOC 2010) is being replaced with a newer version called SOC 2020.
- This update involves reclassifying roles and making the classification more accurate and relevant.
- Some SOC codes employers commonly use will be updated or modified in the new system.
- Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS): Cut off period – 4 April 2024. If you issue CoS to foreign workers, please ensure that you use the new coding system (SOC 2020) for any CoS issued from 4 April 2024 onward.
| Example of changes in SOC & salary threshold | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old SOC 2010 code | New SOC 2020 code | Job type | Previous annual going rate | New annual going rate |
| 2423 | 2431 | Management consultants and business analysts | £32,000 (£16.41 per hour) | £36,200 (£18.56 per hour) |
| 2421 | 2421 | Chartered and certified accountants | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) | £46,800 (£24.00 per hour) |
| 2133 | 2132 | IT managers | £37,900 (£19.44 per hour) | £40,900 (£20.97 per hour) |
Other updates
5. Increased salary requirements for other worker routes.
Effective from 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold for Scale-up route workers will increase £34,600 to £36,300.
Poultry workers in the Seasonal Workers route, who must be paid in line with Skilled Workers, will now have a salary requirement of £38,700 and £15.88 per hour, up from the previous £26,200 and £10.75 per hour.
6. Increased Minimum Income Requirement under partner routes.
- The Minimum Income Requirement for those in the five-year partner and child routes is being updated to now require a minimum income of £29,000 per annum, effective from 11 April 2024. Currently, this is £18,600.
- There will no longer be an additional financial requirement for children.
- A transitional provision has been put in place for those who applied or already held a family visa before 11 April 2024. These individuals will not be subject to the increased Minimum Income Requirement.
The upcoming changes are likely to increase the cost of sponsoring foreign workers. This will likely result in employers looking to the local labour market to fill open positions.
We will address the above in further detail in our upcoming webinar.
If you would like further information please contact Sue Kukadia Partner, Head of Immigration, or a member of our immigration team.
National contacts
Bethania Borges Assistant Manager - Immigration London
Michelle Askew Director - Specialist Tax London