News about Income Thresholds for Family and Skilled Worker Visas

A ministerial statement issued today has officially affirmed that two declarations of amendments are anticipated in the ensuing months. The initial modification will revoke the entitlement of care workers to bring dependents, while the subsequent alteration will see an increase in the minimum income threshold requirement for families, alongside various other adjustments.

19 February Statement of Changes
The 19 February Statement of Changes will remove the rights of care workers and senior care workers to bring dependants.

This will come into force on 11 March 2024. The other change made at this stage is that care providers in England will only be able to sponsor workers if they are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

14 March statement of changes
From 11th April, the minimum income requirement for partners applying under Appendix FM is will be increased from £18,600 to £29,000.

There will be further incremental increases however, specific dates for subsequent incremental increases remain undisclosed, it has been stipulated that there will be two additional increments, with the ultimate adjustment expected for implementation “by early 2025.”

Moreover, the general earnings threshold for individuals following the skilled worker route will also see an increase, elevating it from £26,200 to £38,700. The effective date of this adjustment is scheduled for the 4th of April 2024. Notably, the Health and Care visa route will remain unaffected by this alteration, as will workers engaged in national payscale occupations.

Further revisions encompass the incorporation of changes arising from the Migration Advisory Committee’s expeditious review of the shortage occupation list. A significant amendment involves the removal of the 20% going rate discount for roles listed in the shortage occupation list. These adjustments are set to be implemented from “early April.”