In recent years, the UK has undergone significant changes to its immigration system, particularly following its departure from the European Union in 2020.
One major development was the implementation of a points-based system on January 1, 2021, replacing the previous system based on EU membership. This new system assigns points based on various criteria including skills, qualifications, language proficiency, and salary, to determine eligibility for entry and work opportunities.
Further adjustments continued throughout 2021. Notably, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), mandatory for most visa applicants except for those seeking healthcare-related visas, saw a significant increase of 66% in October. This increase raised the annual cost per person from £624 to £1035. The minimum salary requirement for the Skilled Worker visa, a popular option for skilled professionals seeking to work in the UK, also underwent revisions. The threshold gradually rose from £26,200 in 2021 to an expected £38,700 by early 2025.
Looking ahead, several additional changes are expected with potential implications for various categories of immigrants. Existing policies already pose challenges for students seeking to bring dependents or transition to work visas after graduation. International students, except those enrolled in PhD or postgraduate research programs, can no longer bring their families on dependent visas. Furthermore, the Graduate visa, which allows post-graduation work experience, is currently under review, potentially impacting future opportunities for international graduates.
