UK’s New Immigration Rules in 2024 – Your Guide

The UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024 impact international students and their families planning to study and live in the UK. These changes reflect the country’s evolving immigration policies, which aim to balance educational opportunities with the need to manage immigration effectively. Read on to get a good understanding of the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024.

New Changes in UK Student Financial Requirements 

The UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024 underline a surge in financial requirements aimed at addressing rising living costs in the UK and ensuring that students have adequate monetary resources to finance their studies in the UK.​ These amendments will take effect on January 2, 2025, and will impact potential applicants in terms of their budgeting and preparation for studying in the UK. 

Explore the table below to look into the difference between the previous and the new financial requirements to procure a UK Student Visa:

Requirement	Previous Amount	New Amount	Change Percentage
Monthly Savings for Students in London	£1,334 (INR 1,45,561)	£1,483 (INR 1,61,853)	11.2%
Monthly Savings for Students Outside London	£1,023 (INR 1,11,657)	£1,136 (INR 1,23,982)	11.1%
Total Savings for Students in London (9 months)	£12,006 (INR 13,10,420	£13,348 (INR 14,56,895)	11.2%
Total Savings for Students Outside London (9 months)	£9,207 (INR 10,04,851)	£10,224 (INR 11,15,956)	10.4%

New Amendments to UK Skilled Visa

In the recent UK new Immigration rules in 2024, the UK Skilled Visa has significantly increased the minimum salary requirements and introduced changes affecting the overall landscape for international applicants.​ The UK’s new Immigration Rules 2024 for Skilled Workers are aimed at reducing immigration and establishing stricter requirements for visa sponsorship. The rule has been in effect since 4 April 2024. 

The following are changes made for the Skilled Visa in the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024:

• Increase in Salary Requirements

An increase to £38,700 per annum from £26,200 is noted in the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024 concerning the minimum salary requirement.

• Transitional Rule for Existing Visa Holders

For individuals already holding a Skilled Worker visa before April 4, 2024, the threshold will be set at £29,000 for extensions or changes of employment until April 4, 2030. This transitional rule allows those already holding a Skilled Worker Visa to remain under previous lower salary requirements. 

New Changes in UK Career – Dependent visa update

The recent changes in UK Immigration rules in 2024 impact the UK carer–dependent visa; it represents significant changes in immigration policy, particularly concerning the rights of care workers to bring dependents. The new regulations are intended to tighten immigration controls while addressing current labour market needs within the healthcare sector. These adjustments are especially impactful for those seeking to live and work in the UK under the Health and Care Visa.

The following are the changes made for Dependent Visa in the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024:

• Ban on Bringing Dependents

The ban is effective from 11 March 2024, and care workers are no longer permitted to bring dependents when migrating to the UK. This rule applies to both new applications and extensions of existing visas, representing a substantial shift in policy aimed at reducing net migration levels associated with the care sector.

• Exceptions for Existing Visa Holders and Single Parents

Before the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024, care workers who were already in the UK and had dependents would retain the ability to remain with their dependents during extensions or changes of employer. Those who had not yet brought dependents into the UK before the restrictions are not granted any exceptions and cannot apply to bring dependents later under the new policy. However, single parents can still bring their dependents with them.  

• Financial Requirements

For occupations on the “national pay scale”, the minimum salary threshold will increase to £23,200. This is applicable to new applications and extensions for existing visas. For those whose occupation is not on the “national pay scale”, the general salary threshold will increase to £29,000.  

• Impacts on Recruitment and Employment

The changes in Dependent visas for carers under the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024 can lead to a reduction in international applicants for care roles. Employers in the healthcare sector may find it increasingly difficult to recruit from overseas, potentially exacerbating staffing challenges in the industry.

Steps You Should Take to Ensure a Smooth Application Process

To ensure a smooth application process following the UK’s new visa rules, it is essential to adopt a systematic approach.​ This includes the following steps:

Review New Visa Requirements- Begin by reviewing the latest visa requirements and any changes that have been implemented.

Gather Necessary Documentation- Compile all required documentation well in advance of your application.  Ensure all required documents comply with the latest guidelines set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Consult with Immigration Adviser- Consider consulting with a registered immigration adviser or legal expert to clarify any uncertainties and doubts you have regarding the new visa rules and application process.

Prepare Financial Evidence- Verify that you meet the updated financial requirements for your visa application. This could include your bank statements covering at least six months, which will demonstrate your ability to support yourself.

Complete and Submit Your Application- Submit your visa application through the official UK government website. Double-check the application so you do not miss any section.

Monitor Your Application- Regularly check the status of your application using the UKVI contact centre or appropriate online platforms.

Summary 

The blog provides a detailed understanding of the UK’s new Immigration rules in 2024, which introduce key changes for international students, skilled workers, and care workers. Students now face increased financial requirements to better address living costs effective from January 2, 2025. Skilled workers now have a new minimum salary threshold of £38,700, with a transitional rule allowing existing visa holders to extend under a reduced threshold until 2030. For care workers, a ban on bringing dependents begins March 11, 2024, along with increased salary requirements for those on the national pay scale. Moreover, the blog also covers essential steps to ensure a smooth application process, from understanding updated requirements to preparing financial evidence. These changes reflect the UK’s focus on managing immigration while aligning with labour market needs and economic priorities.

Thinking of settling in the UK? Here’s your next read: PR in the UK | Eligibility, Requirements, and Advantages

FAQs

1. What are the new financial requirements for international students in the UK?

Starting January 2, 2025, students planning to study in the UK must meet higher financial requirements to account for increased living costs. For students planning to live in London, the monthly savings requirement has increased to £1,483, while students outside London must show savings of £1,136 per month.

2. What are the 2024 changes to the Skilled Worker Visa salary requirements?

The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker Visa holders has increased from £26,200 to £38,700 as of April 4, 2024. Existing visa holders who obtained their visas before this date can extend or change employment under a transitional threshold of £29,000 until April 4, 2030.

3. How do the 2024 immigration changes affect care workers and their dependents?

As of March 11, 2024, care workers are no longer permitted to bring dependents with them to the UK. This restriction applies to new applications and visa extensions. Care workers on the “national pay scale” will also need to meet an increased salary threshold of £23,200, while those in other roles must meet a minimum of £29,000.

4. Are there any exceptions for existing visa holders under the new care worker rules?

Yes, care workers who were already in the UK with dependents before the new rule change will be allowed to continue living with their dependents during visa extensions or changes of employer. However, those who hadn’t yet brought dependents to the UK before March 11, 2024, will not have this option under the new rules.