Planning to move UK? Rishi Sunak reveals rigorous immigration measures | Key highlights of new plan
PTC Web Desk: The UK Government has announced significant measures to curtail immigration, including raising the minimum salary for skilled foreign workers seeking visas to work in the country. This decision follows a record high net migration of 745,000 in 2022, placing pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's commitment to reducing new arrivals.
Rishi Sunak, expressing concern over high immigration levels, shared on social media, "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."
The outlined measures include prohibiting overseas students from bringing family members to the UK, unless they are pursuing postgraduate research degrees. Additionally, the salary threshold for foreign workers will rise to £38,000 (approximately Rs 40,01,932).
Interior minister James Cleverly stated that skilled overseas workers would need to earn £38,700 from early next year, a significant increase from the current level of £26,200 (approximately Rs 27,58,718.52).
The Home Office declared, "Our new immigration plan aims to substantially reduce net migration and establish a system that serves the British people."
Key points of the UK Immigration Plan
Preventing overseas care workers from bringing family dependents and mandating care firms in England to be registered with the Care Quality Commission to sponsor visas.
Elevating the earnings threshold to £38,700 from the spring for skilled worker routes, aligning with the median full-time wage for these roles.
Discontinuing discounted shortage labour from overseas by terminating the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations and restructuring the Shortage Occupation List.
Doubling the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, matching the threshold for skilled workers.
Implementing stricter regulations on students bringing family members to the UK. The Migration Advisory Committee will review the graduate route.
UK PM Rishi Sunak has consistently expressed concerns about the elevated immigration levels. Immigration is anticipated to be a central issue in the upcoming general election, with the Labour Party currently considered a leading contender.
Legal migration has surged since the UK formally exited the European Union in January 2020. In 2021, net migration reached 488,000. Additionally, Sunak faces challenges in reducing irregular arrivals crossing the English Channel, with over 28,000 undertaking this perilous journey this year.
The government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda faced legal setbacks, as the courts recently ruled against this approach.
- With inputs from agencies
