"only high-paid people will be able to apply"
The Home Secretary announced that updated minimum wage thresholds for foreign worker visas will be implemented “within weeks”, something Indian students say will reduce the overall UK economy.
In December 2023, the government outlined new restrictions to reduce legal immigration.
These included increasing the minimum wage needed to obtain a visa.
On March 11, 2024, care workers will be restricted from bringing family members to the UK.
That same day, care providers will be required to register with the Care Quality Commission if they are sponsoring migrants.
For those arriving in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa, there will be an increase to the minimum salary.
Starting from April 4, the threshold will rise from £26,200 to £38,700.
The impending change to the Skilled Worker Visa will affect Indian students as they were the biggest demographic in the year ending June 2023.
For Coventry University student Pankaj, this means a significant population of Indian applicants will be able to work in the UK.
He said: “The changes are very bad for many Indians. Many work very hard to just about meet £26,200.
“Once the change happens, only high-paid people will be able to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.”
Birmingham City University student Neha echoed that sentiment whilst stating that it will harm the UK’s overall economy.
She explained: “The Skilled Worker Visa is for those working in industries like manufacturing and engineering, jobs where there is already a shortage.
“Raising the minimum earnings will prevent Indians from coming to the UK to work and will cause an even bigger shortage to these jobs.
“It will only cause more problems for the UK’s job sector.”
The minimum income threshold for those bringing dependents to the UK on family visas will increase in stages starting on April 11.
From this date, workers will need to be earning at least £29,000 a year to bring a family member from abroad – up from £18,600.
No date for when the threshold will rise beyond £29,000 has been announced by the Government.
The top nationality for dependents coming to the UK is India, with 22,799 arriving in the year ending June 2023.
When the change comes into force, the number is set to drastically drop as £29,000 is significantly higher than the average UK salary.
Coventry University student Pooja explained:
“I have one friend who wants to bring their parents to the UK but they cannot because his salary is lower.
“This will badly affect him because he was desperate to bring his family. He might have to return home (India) so that he can be closer to them.”
Home Secretary James Cleverly faced criticism when he initially introduced the proposals in 2023.
Concerns were raised that British professionals like teachers, police officers and junior doctors might be unable to bring loved ones from abroad due to salary restrictions.
The uncertainty extended to immigrants and families already in the UK, unsure of visa renewal outcomes.
The Home Office confirmed that applications already submitted would be assessed under the old rules.
Mr Cleverly said: “I’ve been clear that migration is too high and we must get back to sustainable levels.
“Last year I set out robust measures to reduce the numbers coming into our country – tightening the rules on care workers, skilled workers, and making sure that people can support their family members that they bring over.
“It is a firm approach, but a fair one, and gives those affected time to prepare whilst ensuring that migration comes down.
“The British people want to see action, not words.
“We are delivering the change we promised and which they expect, lifting pressure on public services and protecting British workers with the utmost urgency.”
Raj added: “I get the UK want to cut down on immigration but the visa wage thresholds have become too high.
“This means that many Indian workers, who are skilled in their jobs, will not be able to come to the UK for work.”
It comes as new projections indicate that the UK’s population could potentially reach nearly 74 million by 2036, rising from the current estimate of 67 million.
The data, provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), anticipates around six million additions through net migration and an additional one million individuals aged 85 and over in the next 15 years.
These figures are not predictions but projections, relying on current and past trends.
The ONS emphasises that actual migration and population levels may vary, influenced by policy changes and unknown migrant behaviour patterns.
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