As we approach the end of 2023, there are a number of changes underway in the world of Business Immigration. Some key changes are set out below:

1. Government announces plan to cut net migration:
   •  A key measure that has been announced is the increase of the minimum salary threshold for overseas workers from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700 from next spring, although an exact date has not yet been confirmed.
   • The Migration Advisory Committee will be asked to review the Graduate visa route to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse.
   • The government will end the 20% going-rate salary discount for shortage occupations and replace the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List.
   • Those applying for an overseas care worker visa under the Health and Care visas route will be prevented from bringing their dependants to the UK.
   • The minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK making applications for family members to join them in the UK will be increased to £38,700.
2. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) set to increase from 16 January 2024. It will jump from £624 to £1,035 for most individuals applying for a visa.
3. Right to work checks:
   • The Home Office have confirmed that there will be increases to illegal working fines (civil penalties) and this will take effect from 22 January 2024. The starting point for a civil penalty will be £45,000 per worker for first breaches and £60,000 per worker for repeat breaches.
   • In preparation for this, the Home Office have published a draft code of practice on preventing illegal working, which once approved by Parliament will apply to all right to work checks from 22 January 2024.
4. Many Biometric Residence Permits (BRP)/ Biometric Residence Cards (BRC) are due to expire on 31 December 2024, this is the case even where the holder’s immigration permission expires after this, or where they are settled and have no expiry date for their permission. The Home Office intends to phase out BRPs and other physical immigration documents from 1 January 2025. The intention is to move towards using an electronic visa (eVisa) system.

We explain the above changes in more depth here and will provide further updates as more detail is released.

If you need advice around business immigration to stay compliant, or you are looking to obtain a sponsorship licence, get in touch with Rajveer Basra at RajveerBasra@schofieldsweeney.co.uk.

Stay in the know, join our upcoming webinar on 7 Feb 2024: Business Immigration: Key considerations around sponsorship licences – Schofield Sweeney