In 2024, the significant changes were made to the UK immigration rules, affecting various UK visa categories and procedures. Below is a summary of the key updates and their implications:
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Increase
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), a mandatory fee for visas valid for longer than six months, increased in February 2024. The new rate is £1,035 per year of leave for most applicants, while students and children pay a reduced rate of £776 annually.
Family Visa Salary Threshold Changes
The minimum income requirement for UK Family visas - including the Spouse visa - increased from £18,600 to £29,000 on 11 April 2024. Further increases to £38,700 in 2025 may also follow.
Applicants must provide robust financial documentation to evidence that they meet this new threshold, but are no longer required to show additional funds to bring dependent children.
Those already in the UK with a valid Family visa prior to 11 April 2024 remain subject to the previous threshold when making subsequent applications, such as extensions.
Dependants on Student and Health and Care Worker Routes
Student visa holders beginning studies in the UK on or after 1 January 2024 must be undertaking either a PhD, a research-based postgraduate degree or a full-time course of at least six months funded by a national government scholarship in order to be permitted to bring dependants. If the scholarship does not cover dependants' living costs, additional financial evidence must be provided.
This means undergraduate students, or those on short courses, cannot bring dependants unless they are government-sponsored students or studying a postgraduate course lasting nine months or longer.
Dependants of student visa holders already in the UK may remain if the student began a full-time programme of at least six months before 1 January 2024 and meets specific conditions. These include transitioning to a new course of at least six months, applying within three months of their previous permission expiring, and ensuring dependants apply for permission simultaneously.
For applications under the Health and Care visa made from 11 March 2024, those applying as care workers and senior care workers can no longer be accompanied by dependants. Dependants of care workers and senior care workers already in the UK with a valid Health and Care Worker visa, and dependants applying under this route for other eligible roles, are not affected by this change.
Skilled Worker Visa Changes
From 4 April 2024, the general minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa increased to £38,700 for new applicants. Exceptions include PhD holders, NHS staff and education workers, who follow specific pay scales. Social care workers remain eligible with a reduced threshold of £23,200.
Certain groups, such as PhD holders, NHS staff, education professionals and social care workers, benefit from lower thresholds or specific pay scales.
Transitional arrangements were also put in place to allow Skilled Workers who applied before 4 April 2024 to meet the previous lower salary threshold (£29,000) for settlement if they continuously hold their visa until April 2030.
Replacement of Shortage Occupation List
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024. The ISL specifies salary thresholds for eligible sponsored roles, requiring applicants to meet the higher of £30,960 or the occupation-specific threshold.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Updates
New rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the long residence route came into effect on 11 April 2024. Applicants must now hold valid permission under their current visa for at least 12 months at the time of their application, and limit their time outside the UK to no more than 180 days in any 12-month period. More lenient absence limits apply to residence before this date. The updated rules are formalised in the new "Appendix Long Residence."
IELTS Updates
From 29 August 2024, IELTS for UKVI Test Report Forms will display individual CEFR levels for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking scores. A new performance summary section has also been added to the form.
From 2 November 2024, IELTS for UKVI is being offered only as a computer-based test, delivering results within 1-5 days. The updated test now includes tasks engaging with digital texts, greater emphasis on critical thinking in writing and spontaneity in speaking assessments.
IELTS for UKVI is required by some applicants for UK visas, ILR and British citizenship to prove they meet the English language requirement.
Expansion of the ETA Scheme
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme expanded in November 2024 to include all non-visa nationals except Europeans, who will be included by April 2025. The scheme requires applicants to hold a valid national passport and meet specific criteria.
Visa Requirement for Jordanian Nationals
In September 2024, Jordan was removed from the UK's list of non-visa nationals. This means visitors and transit passengers from Jordan now need a visa to enter the UK. A visa-free transition period applied to those with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) issued before 10 September 2024, for travel by 8 October 2024.
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