11/03/2024
For those who prefer a quick summary, the key dates and relevant changes to the Immigration Rules to be aware of are follows:
1 January 2024: UK Student Visa rules amended to prevent most international students from being accompanied or joined by a dependent whilst studying in the UK;
31 January 2024: Permitted activities for Visitors expanded, right to work conditions for Visitors amended to allow remote working, Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor route merged into the Standard Visitor route and new Appendix Bereaved Partner, Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse and Appendix Statelessness introduced;
1 February 2024: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) application process opened for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan;
6 February 2024: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will increase by 66%;
13 February 2024: Fines for illegal working will triple under a new Civil Penalty regime;
11 March 2024: Care workers (SOC code 6145) and senior care workers (SOC code 6146) will not be permitted to bring dependents to the UK and care homes in England will be required to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in order to sponsor migrants under the Health and Care Worker visa route;
14 March 2024: A new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliament which will replace the existing Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with a new Immigration Salary List;
4 April 2024: The minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum;
6 April 2024: The requirement to renew Sponsor Licences will be removed;
11 April 2024: The minimum income requirement for partners applying under Appendix FM will be increased from £18,600 to £29,000.
