UK unveils stricter visa measures, care workers barred from bringing dependants

The United Kingdom has made stricter amendments to its immigration laws, further tightening the already stringent regulations governing the entry of foreigners into the country.

A statement released by the Home Office on Monday said the new plan to slash migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system will deliver the biggest-ever reduction in the country’s net migration.

“Together, this package will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would now not be able to come,” the statement said.

Under plans set out by James Cleverly, home secretary, workers will need to earn at least £38,700 to obtain a visa, up from £26,200, while care workers will be barred from bringing in dependants from next April.

The home office said the revision will encourage “businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their workforce, helping us to deter employers from over-relying on migration, whilst bringing salaries in line with the average full-time salary for these types of jobs”.

“The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them,” the statement added.

“Altogether, this reinforces that all those who want to work and live here must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state.”

The home office also reiterated plans to review the graduate visa route “to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse”.

In May, the government announced a package of measures to cut the number of student visas being issued, including removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate research courses and removing the ability for international students to switch onto work routes before their studies are completed.

This will come into force for courses starting in January 2024.

“Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down. These steps will make sure that immigration always benefits the UK,” Rishi Sunak, British prime minister, had written on X, formerly Twitter.

“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.”

The crackdown would affect many Nigerian students hoping to pursue their postgraduate studies in the UK, as they accounted for the highest increase in the number of dependents accompanying persons with study visas in 2022.