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2024 has brought substantial reforms to the UK immigration system, with key updates affecting various UK visa categories and legal requirements.
Increased Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
In February 2024, the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) rose significantly. Applicants musty now pay £1,035 annually for the IHS if their visa lasts longer than six months. A discounted rate of £776 per year applies to students and children. The IHS is a mandatory fee allowing visa holders access to the UK’s healthcare system during their stay.
Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary Threshold
The Skilled Worker visa minimum salary threshold rose to £38,700 for most applications mad eon or after 4 April 2024. Certain groups, such as PhD holders, NHS staff, education professionals and social care workers, benefit from lower thresholds or specific pay scales.
Transitional rules allow Skilled Workers with Certificates of Sponsorship issued before 4 April 2024 to apply for settlement with a reduced salary threshold of £29,000, provided they meet eligibility criteria and apply by April 2030.
Replacement of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
In April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL). The ISL determines visa eligibility based on roles that meet updated salary thresholds. Positions listed must meet either the general threshold of £30,960 or a specific rate for the occupation, reflecting the government’s emphasis on attracting highly skilled professionals.
Dependents on Student and Health and Care Visas
From 1 January 2024, most postgraduate students enrolled on non-research courses are no longer permitted to bring dependants to the UK. However, an exception remains for students undertaking PhD-level research, who may still include dependants in their visa applications. Undergraduate students, or those on short courses, can no longer bring dependants unless they are government-sponsored. Students whose programmes began before 1 January 2024 may only bring dependants if they are government-sponsored or studying a postgraduate course lasting nine months or longer.
Following this, from 11 March 2024, new rules were introduced for the Health and Care Visa. Care workers and senior care workers applying for this visa are no longer allowed to include dependants in their applications. However, this restriction does not apply to other roles eligible under the Health and Care Visa, where applicants may still bring dependants. Existing visa holders in the UK can continue living with their dependants under the previous rules.
Spouse Visa Requirements
On 11 April 2024, the income requirement for Spouse visa applications increased from £18,600 to £29,000 annually, with further potential increases planned to reach £38,700 in 2025.
Applicants must provide detailed financial documentation but are no longer required to demonstrate additional funds for dependent children.
Combined income from both partners is now acceptable for settlement and visa extension applications, simplifying requirements.
Revisions to IELTS Testing
From 29 August 2024, a number of changes to the IELTS for UKVI test – required by some applicants for UK visas, ILR and British citizenship – took effect. IELTS test reports now display individual CEFR levels for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Paper-based IELTS tests for UKVI have also been phased out, from 2 Number 2024, with computer-based tests becoming the only option, offering faster results and digital reading tasks.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under Long Residence
New Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rules for long residence applications took effect in April 2024. Applicants must now hold valid permission under their visa type for at least 12 months before applying and are limited to no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period after 11 April 2024. For residence periods prior to this date, the more lenient absence rules still apply.
These changes are detailed in the newly introduced “Appendix Long Residence.”
Expanded ETA Scheme
The UK expanded its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme in November 2024 to include all non-visa nationals, except Europeans, who will be required to have either a valid ETA or visa to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025.
European nations will become eligible to apply for an ETA scheme from 5 March 2025, in advance of the change in entry requirement from 2 April 2025.
The ETA scheme involves a pre-entry check and requires applicants to hold a valid national passport while meeting specific eligibility criteria.
Visa Requirements for Jordanian Nationals
September 2024 marked the removal of Jordan from the UK’s list of non-visa nationals. Jordanian visitors and transit passengers are now required to obtain a visa to travel to the UK.
A transitional period allowed those with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) issued before 10 September 2024, to travel visa-free if arriving by 8 October 2024.
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