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2024 immigration rules UK: Year in review
Table of Contents
Introduction
Throughout 2024, policy changes have been made to British immigration rules through Statements of Changes, which can be found on the Government’s website. Some of the Statements of Changes were more significant than the others.
Additionally, with the UK General Election in June, we have had Statements of Changes released by two different governments and political parties, which has impacted the kinds of changes we have seen.Â
We will take you through the different 2024 immigration rules that changed, how they might impact you, and discuss some of the ones that have been announced to take place in 2025.Â
Updates from 2023 implemented in 2024
Student Visa
On 1 January 2024, the rules were modified so that people on Student Visas could no longer bring their dependants with them unless they are doing a PhD or a research-based higher degree. The majority of new applicants will have to come to the UK to study alone.Â
Electronic Travel Authorisation
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was launched in February 2024 for nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which allows people from those countries to enter the UK without a visa for short visits. However, Jordan was removed from the list in September 2024.Â
Youth Mobility Scheme
Updates at the end of January 2024 now allow South Korean and Japanese nationals to access the Youth Mobility Scheme at any time of the year. The age range for South Korean applicants was increased to 18-35.Â
Visitor Visa
The Visitor Visa rules have been updated to clarify the activities people can do while visiting the UK. For example, visitors can now work remotely for their overseas employer, provided it is not their main purpose for visiting the UK. This makes this visa more flexible, which is beneficial for many people.Â
Statement of Changes: 19 February 2024
The first Statement of Changes of 2024 came on 19 February, with updates related to the Ukraine Scheme and the Health and Care Worker Visa.Â
Ukraine Scheme
The biggest changes were made to the Ukraine Scheme routes, introducing strict rules and limitations. General immigration rules now apply to these routes. For example, applications could be rejected if an individual did not provide all the required documents.Â
The Ukraine Family Scheme route was also closed to new applicants. The Ukraine Extension Scheme closed on 16 May 2024, except for children born after 18 March 2022 to parents with permission to stay in the UK.Â
Additionally, the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (HFU) was extended to Ukrainian nationals outside the UK with an approved sponsor who is a British or Irish citizen. People who do not hold visa status under one of the schemes, or are not a Ukrainian national, can only use the HFU route if they are an immediate relative of a qualifying Ukrainian national, or a Ukrainian who already holds permission to stay in the UK.
Finally, a reduced stay duration means that new applicants to the HFU only have permission to stay in the UK for 18 months, instead of the previous 36 months.Â
These changes have made it harder for Ukrainian people to enter and remain in the UK.
Health and Care Worker Visas
There were two significant changes to the Health and Care Worker Visa in the 19 February Statement of Changes.
Health and Care Worker Visa holders can no longer bring dependants with them to the UK. This update was announced in December 2023, but it only became an official rule on 19 February, when it was included in the Statement of Changes. This change has greatly impacted potential visa applicants, as many have family members who are dependent on them. Now, they must choose between relocating alone, or staying in their home country with their family.Â
The second change introduced stricter sponsor requirements. Companies that sponsor Health and Care Worker Visa applicants must now be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and be actively operating. This change aims to prevent fraud, such as scammers offering fake roles to people from abroad for large sums of money.Â
Statement of Changes: 14 March 2024
The last Statement of Changes of the Conservative Government was released on 14 March. The largest release for the year, this new statement covered many topics, including the Skilled Worker route and the EU Settlement Scheme. Many people were impacted by these changes.
Visa salary threshold increases and the Shortage Occupation List
One of the most notable changes of the year is the increase in the salary requirement that has to be met to get a Skilled Worker Visa. It was increased to £38,700 from £26,200 to be in line with median earnings of jobs that people can do on these visas. However, there are some exceptions to the salary requirement.Â
Additionally, the Health and Care Worker Visa’s salary threshold was increased from £26,200 to £29,000.Â
Other, less popular visas also had their salary thresholds changed:
- The Senior or Specialist Visa threshold changed from £45,800 to £48,500
- Graduate Trainee Visas and Global Business Mobility Visas increased from £24,200 to £25,410
- The Scale-up Visa threshold increased from £34,600 to £36,300
- Seasonal Worker Visa routes had a salary threshold increase due to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage going up; poultry workers on this route also now have a salary threshold of £38,700Â
Finally, the Shortage Occupation List was announced to be replaced in April by the Immigration Salary List following a recommendation by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Jobs on both lists have lower salary requirements as they are seen as being in industries that need workers. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List need to have a salary of at least £30,960.Â
These changes mean that people now find it harder to get a work visa to enter the UK.
Spouse Visas
Yet another change to monetary requirements for a visa, came to the Spouse Visa. Any British citizen wanting to sponsor their spouse to enter the UK now has to earn at least £29,000 per year, unless they have savings that prove they can financially support their family.Â
However, the rules were also changed so that you do not need to be earning a higher amount if you have children to sponsor as well, except in certain circumstances such as if they are EU citizens without settled status in the UK.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces personnel who want to sponsor their spouse and child now have to be earning £23,496.Â
Anyone who wants their partner to live with them in the UK will now face greater challenges to bring them into the country.
EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) only received one change, but it is very important for victims of abuse.Â
Victims of domestic abuse whose spouse, civil partner, or durable partner (together for two or more years) has pre-settled status on the EUSS, is included within the rules regarding victims of abuse.
This means that they can now get settlement outside the normal immigration rules, which means they will not be completely reliant on staying with their abusive partner to make sure they can stay in the UK.
Hong Kong British National (BNO) Visas
The BNO Visa received some updates that have made it so people on the visa can more easily settle in the UK, and also access benefits.
First, holders of the visa can apply for further permission of stay which gives them access to public funds if they request to have the ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition removed.Â
Decision makers at the Home Office can extend the further permission of stay for BNO Visa holders by 28 days if they hold a visa that lasts 30 months. This makes it so that they will reach the requirement for five years’ settlement under the rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain.Â
Also, family members with British National Overseas status and British citizenship can apply for a BNO Visa. Additionally, adult dependent relatives can join people in the UK on BNO Visas if they can no longer live independently.
Statement of Changes: 10 September 2024
Labour released their first Statement of Changes as the ruling party of the UK on 10 September 2024, after 14 years of Conservative rule.
They made a number of changes to varied areas of the immigration rules, including the ETA and the EUSS, plus a new visa, and a new sub-type of the Visitor Visa.Â
ETA updates
Jordan was removed from the ETA, which means Jordanian nationals need a visa to enter the UK.
Many countries were also announced to be added to the ETA, with access for the countries being released in waves. The first wave will be released on 8 January 2025, whilst the second wave will be on 2 April 2025. Nationals of these countries will be able to travel to the UK without a visa. A full list can be found on our previous blog.Â
Finally, the ETA had new grounds for refusal added to it. If anyone has previously had a Visitor Visa application rejected, then they can have their ETA application rejected as well, unless they successfully got a Visitor Visa after their first one was rejected.
The second ground for refusal is that if someone has had a previous ETA cancelled, they may have future applications rejected.Â
People who want to visit the UK from the new ETA countries will find it easier to do so for short trips, and will now have clearer rules to know if they will succeed or not.Â
Diplomatic Visa Arrangement
Diplomatic Visa Waivers have been replaced by the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement under the Visitor Visa rules, as new agreements under the waiver have not been made since 2015.
Government officials of other countries generally used the waiver to come to the UK on official business, but now they will need to apply for a Visitor Visa under the new Diplomatic Visa Arrangement, and be sponsored by their country’s government.Â
The new visa lasts for up to two years, and allows for visits of up to six months.Â
This is a very niche type of visa, so this change should not impact many people at all.Â
VIP Delegate Visa
Delegates, advisers and support staff of heads of state and monarchs are subject to immigration control when they come to the UK on official business. Previously, they needed to get a Visitor Visa.
Now, to make it easier for official business to take place and provide clear entry rules, the VIP Delegate Visa has been introduced so the aforementioned members of staff no longer have to pay a fee to enter the UK.Â
This new visa allows for up to 20 people to enter the UK alongside heads of state, and 10 people for 10 ministerial delegations.Â
Like with the previously mentioned visa, the VIP Delegate Visa also has a specific purpose that will not impact many people. However, it will make the process of entering the UK easier for those it does impact.
EU Settlement Scheme
There were a few small changes to the EUSS:
- Pre-settled status curtailed if someone helps another get EUSS leave or a family permit by fraud
- New provisions to consider if someone is eligible
- Pre-settled status can be converted to settled status by the Secretary of State if an individual qualifies
- People who were under 21 and resident before the end of the transitionary period, but have since turned 21, do not need to prove they are dependent on their parents
- EEA and Swiss citizens have simpler criteria if they are in the process of divorcing their partner who is in the UK on the EUSS
- People coming to join their family members must apply to the EUSS within three months of arriving in the UK
These rule changes will make it easier for people to know if they can apply for settlement under the EUSS or not, impacting both caseworkers and applicants.
Other changes
There were several other changes to various other areas of the immigration rules which we will provide a summary of here:
- Bereaved partners and dependants of Gurkha and Hong Kong military veterans now have a fee waiver if they want to apply to stay in the UK
- Funds international students need to have to prove they can support themselves have increased to match maintenance loans of home students
- More clarity on rules for children joining non-parent relatives, with sponsors needing to be a close relative of the child
- Rules clearer for BNO applicants so they that family members know who they need to apply alongside to be eligible for a visa
- Allowances for existing dependants of Health and Care Worker Visa holders, so that children can apply for visa extensions
Like with many other updates, these smaller changes will make things clearer for people to know what rules apply to them.
Statement of Changes: 26 November 2024
The most recent Statement of Changes is not a very large one, and focusses on rules for Colombia and Ukraine.
Colombia
First, Colombia was removed from the ETA with immediate effect, and is now subject to a visa regime again. Anyone coming to the UK from Colombia will need a visa. This took place before they were even completely introduced to the ETA.
As the ETA was never fully introduced for Colombians to begin with, not many people will be fully impacted by this. However, people may feel disappointed with this return to requiring a visa.
Ukraine
Next, the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be closing on 4 February 2025. However, the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will be introduced, which allows Ukrainian nationals and eligible family members to apply for an extra 18 month stay.
Also, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, which lets British homeowners sponsor Ukrainian people to live with them, now has a requirement where Ukrainians need to have their biometrics taken in Ukraine. Previously, they could defer having their biometrics taken until they arrived in the UK; this is no longer the case.Â
Due to these updates, Ukrainians will not be able to extend their stay for as long as they could in the past, which was 36 months. Some will also find it more difficult to get their biometrics taken, as they will have to travel somewhere within Ukraine first.
Long residence for Ukrainians
As a result of the previous updates, the rules around long residence for Ukrainians have been clarified. Unfortunately for those on the Ukraine Schemes, time spent in the UK on them does not contribute to the number of years to qualify for settlement under 10 years’ long residence.Â
Any Ukrainians who wish to permanently settle in the UK will need to find a different visa to apply for.Â
Many Ukrainians in the UK may feel disappointed by this, as they will have roots and may wish to settle in the UK, but will find it harder to do so compared to people on other routes.
Looking ahead to 2025
With the Labour government having only been in power for a few months, we do not have much of a precedent to go off of for what they may do in the future.Â
However, they have stated that they aim to reduce net migration into the UK and lower reliance on overseas workers. It could be that future domestic policies to get British people into industries with shortages, will have an indirect impact on how many workers are hired from abroad.Â
They have also stated that they want to increase the returns of people who have no legal right to stay in the UK, such as people overstaying on their visa. We could potentially expect stricter rules around overstaying, alongside a statistical increase in returns.Â
Whenever the Government announces new updates to the immigration rules, we will write a new blog about them and show you how they may impact you. Check our website to keep up to date on any news.Â
How we can help you
As an immigration law firm with years of experience, we can help guide you through many of the complexities of the UK immigration system, including the 2024 immigration rules that have changed.Â
If you need assistance with applying for a visa, a Sponsor Licence, settlement, or even citizenship, then our team can help you.Â
There are multiple ways you can contact us, such as by phone, email, website chatbot, or by booking a free 10-minute assessment. These initial steps help us to assess your needs, see if we can help you, and give you a chance to see if you would like to use our services.Â
After this initial assessment, you can book a longer, paid consultation in which you will receive legal advice and where we plan your next steps. This consultation can either be with one of our immigration specialists, or our Principal Solicitor, Nathan Woodcock. They will provide you with their expertise, and do their utmost to make sure you get your desired outcome.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.
Ready for assistance?
If you have any questions, or want to book an appointment with one of our legal experts, contact Woodcock Law today. Call us on +44 (0)20 7712 1705 or email info@woodcocklaw.co.uk.
