Global mobility rules have become more complex in recent years, particularly in the UK. But with the right advice, you can ensure you stay within the guidelines.
The rules and regulations surrounding work mobility in the UK can – to the untrained eye – appear byzantine. They are also subject to change: since the UK formally left the EU in 2020, the issue of immigration – both unskilled and skilled – has become a major political issue. As a result, the UK government has tended to make changes to the rules to suit the prevailing direction of public opinion.
The bigger picture
The wider geopolitical backdrop has had an impact on UK policy in this area, with the UK government aiming to boost inward investment but at the same time, clampdown on the unrestricted movement of lower-paid workers. With that in mind, PM Rishi Sunak recently announced some important changes to the rules around eligibility for those looking to come to the UK to work or set up a business.
Migrants coming to the UK on the Skilled Worker route currently face a general threshold (assuming they don’t have an exemption) of £26,200, and Brits or settled people who want to live in the UK with their partners must currently earn £18,600.
However, among the measures set to be introduced in spring 2024 is an increase in the ‘general’ salary threshold for both long-term work visas and British or settled people applying to bring their partners to the UK. Both will increase to £38,700, higher than the median salary for full-time employees (£35,000), although for workers there are many exemptions.
Clearly, the major change regarding Sponsorship Licences is the increase to the threshold salary for a Skilled Worker. This was announced on the 4th December 2023 when the UK Home Secretary confirmed the threshold would rise to £38,700.
However, workers on the Health and Social Care Visa route will be exempt from this new salary threshold. The UK Home Secretary also confirmed, more recently, that there will be transitional provisions to be set out in due course to stagger how and when this new salary threshold will be introduced.
However, it has been confirmed that this change to the salary threshold will not be retrospective. So, any migrants who have a visa under the current salary thresholds or those who complete their application before the salary thresholds are implemented, will not be required to increase their salary to match the new policies.
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