The Rishi Sunak-led government has introduced a new law in the parliament that seeks to curb immigration by imposing stricter working visa rules, ahead of the general elections next year.

The bill tabled on Monday (Dec 4) increases the salary threshold for foreign workers and tightens rules for the inclusion of family members as dependents.

For example, a person now has to earn £38,700 ($48,900) to qualify for a work visa, which was earlier £26,000.

Speaking at the House of Commons on Tuesday, Home Secretary James Cleverly said that the aim is to reduce annual net immigration by 300,000 “in future years,” without setting out a precise timetable.

The move is estimated to impact around 300,000 individuals who would no longer be able to access the UK's Skilled Worker Visa based on the new measures, the UK home office said.

Defending the move, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak termed it “radical measures” to lower migration and ensured that it benefits the United Kingdom.

"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," he said on X.

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We've just announced the biggest ever cut in net migration. 
 
No Prime Minister has done this before in history. 
 
But the level of net migration is too high and it has to change. I am determined to do it.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1731774989118882132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In another online statement,&nbsp;Sunak&nbsp;said, “We've just announced the biggest ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history.”

The key measures to address immigration concerns include

<h2>Dependent restrictions</h2>

The government aims to reduce migration by restricting the entry of dependents into the UK. This forms a crucial part of their strategy to manage and control immigration.

<h2>Salary threshold increases</h2>

Minimum salaries for overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members will undergo a substantial increase. The earning threshold for overseas workers will experience a nearly 50% surge, rising from £26,200 to £38,700. A similar increase will apply to British citizens sponsoring family members.

<h2>Health and care visa tightening</h2>

The Health and Care visa, previously a significant avenue for care workers and their dependents, will face new restrictions. Overseas care workers will no longer be permitted to bring dependants to the UK. Additionally, care providers can only sponsor migrant workers involved in activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

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<h2>Crackdown on cut-price labour</h2>

The government plans to eliminate the 20 per cent salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce an Immigration Salary List. This list will be reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee to align with the increased salary thresholds, addressing concerns related to cut-price labour.

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<h2>Student dependent restrictions</h2>

Measures have been implemented to address the increase in students bringing dependents to the UK. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on net migration, with approximately 153,000 visas granted to dependents of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023.

The visa crackdown responds to record-high immigration figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which reported a net migration of 672,000 to the UK. India dominates several visa categories, including skilled workers, medical professionals, and students.

The Rishi Sunak-led government has introduced a new law in the parliament that seeks to curb immigration by imposing stricter working visa rules, ahead of the general elections next year.

The Rishi Sunak-led government has introduced a new law in the parliament that seeks to curb immigration by imposing stricter working visa rules, ahead of the general elections next year. The bill tabled on Monday (Dec 4) increases the salary threshold for foreign workers and tightens rules for the inclusion of family members as dependents. For example, a person now has to earn £38,700 ($48,900) to qualify for a work visa, which was earlier £26,000. Speaking at the House of Commons on Tuesday, Home Secretary James Cleverly said that the aim is to reduce annual net immigration by 300,000 “in future years,” without setting out a precise timetable. The move is estimated to impact around 300,000 individuals who would no longer be able to access the UK's Skilled Worker Visa based on the new measures, the UK home office said. Defending the move, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak termed it “radical measures” to lower migration and ensured that it benefits the United Kingdom. "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," he said on X. We've just announced the biggest ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history. But the level of net migration is too high and it has to change. I am determined to do it. — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) December 4, 2023 × In another online statement, Sunak said, “We've just announced the biggest ever cut in net migration. No Prime Minister has done this before in history.” The key measures to address immigration concerns include Dependent restrictions The government aims to reduce migration by restricting the entry of dependents into the UK. This forms a crucial part of their strategy to manage and control immigration. Salary threshold increases Minimum salaries for overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members will undergo a substantial increase. The earning threshold for overseas workers will experience a nearly 50% surge, rising from £26,200 to £38,700. A similar increase will apply to British citizens sponsoring family members. Health and care visa tightening The Health and Care visa, previously a significant avenue for care workers and their dependents, will face new restrictions. Overseas care workers will no longer be permitted to bring dependants to the UK. Additionally, care providers can only sponsor migrant workers involved in activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Also read | Senior US official discusses alleged foiled plot to kill Pannun during visit to India Crackdown on cut-price labour The government plans to eliminate the 20 per cent salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce an Immigration Salary List. This list will be reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee to align with the increased salary thresholds, addressing concerns related to cut-price labour. Also read | ‘Implosion’ within Conservatives, above 40% supporters turned away under Sunak: Poll Student dependent restrictions Measures have been implemented to address the increase in students bringing dependents to the UK. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on net migration, with approximately 153,000 visas granted to dependents of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023. The visa crackdown responds to record-high immigration figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which reported a net migration of 672,000 to the UK. India dominates several visa categories, including skilled workers, medical professionals, and students.

UK govt introduces tighter work visa rules, Rishi Sunak calls it ‘radical measure’ to curb immigration

To meet the shortages in healthcare sector, the UK government is looking to hire numerous care workers from abroad. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The development comes as the country is witnessing a huge spike in the number of the coronavirus cases due to the spread of Omicron variant. It has put immense pressure on the healthcare sector. &nbsp;

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Several foreign social care workers, care assistants and home care workers may become eligible for a UK Health and Care Visa for a year. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The move comes after the recommendation of the UK's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). It had asked to make care workers and home carers eligible for the Health and Care Visa and also add the occupation to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-omicron-cases-surge-17-million-people-in-the-uk-had-covid-last-week-439765" hreflang="en">As Omicron cases surge, 1.7 million people in the UK had Covid last week</a>

"The care sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges prompted by the pandemic and the changes we've made to the health and care visa will bolster the workforce and helping alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced," Home Secretary Priti Patel said. &nbsp;

"This is our New Plan for Immigration in action, delivering our commitment to support the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK," Patel added. &nbsp;

These temporary measures may come into effect by early next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

To meet the shortages in healthcare sector, the UK government is looking to hire numerous care workers from abroad. The development comes as the country is witnessing a huge spike in the number of the coronavirus cases due to the spread of Omicron variant.

To meet the shortages in healthcare sector, the UK government is looking to hire numerous care workers from abroad. The development comes as the country is witnessing a huge spike in the number of the coronavirus cases due to the spread of Omicron variant. It has put immense pressure on the healthcare sector. Also Read: Covid concerns in China rise as it logs highest number of cases in 4 months Several foreign social care workers, care assistants and home care workers may become eligible for a UK Health and Care Visa for a year. The move comes after the recommendation of the UK's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). It had asked to make care workers and home carers eligible for the Health and Care Visa and also add the occupation to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Also Read: As Omicron cases surge, 1.7 million people in the UK had Covid last week "The care sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges prompted by the pandemic and the changes we've made to the health and care visa will bolster the workforce and helping alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced," Home Secretary Priti Patel said. "This is our New Plan for Immigration in action, delivering our commitment to support the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK," Patel added. These temporary measures may come into effect by early next year. (With inputs from agencies)

As Omicron variant torments healthcare, UK looks to hire foreign workers by relaxing visa rules

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