Whenever changes are announced to the Skilled Worker Visa UK route, there is always an impact on local businesses. This time, the minimum salary requirement and changing rules surrounding dependants will impact Southport businesses in both positive and negative ways.
Read on to learn about the changes to the Skilled Worker route in 2024, and the various ways in which Southport businesses could be affected.
Overview of the New Skilled Worker Visa Rules 2024
As of 4th April 2024, the minimum annual salary requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa UK is £38,700, and £29,000 for healthcare workers. This has increased from £26,200.
Those who are applying to extend their Skilled Worker Visa will also need to meet this new requirement. However, new entrants to the scheme can get a salary discount of 30%, meaning they only need £30,960 per year to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa.
Finally, the rules on bringing dependants have changed. Senior care workers and care workers are no longer entitled to bring dependants (eligible spouses and children) to the UK as part of their application.
How Could the New Skilled Worker Visa Rules Impact Southport Businesses?
The rise of the minimum salary requirement will result in many foreign workers being unable to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa route, though they may have been eligible before this change. The same applies to prospective care workers who hoped to bring their dependants to Southport.
Consequently, Southport businesses could suffer in terms of the volume of applications they receive from talented overseas workers.
What’s more, businesses in Southport that were offering a salary of up to £26,200 will now have to consider increasing this amount if they want to continue to welcome skilled workers from around the world. For some small businesses, this could result in financial precarity or significant changes to the diversity of their workforce.
The fewer foreign applicants being welcomed into the UK, the greater the skills shortages in many industries. It is in Southport’s best interest to hire talent from abroad, particularly when it comes to industries that are struggling to attract UK workers, but this will prove challenging with the stricter Skilled Worker Visa salary requirement.
Some businesses will have to say goodbye to current foreign workers who have potentially shaped the company, as they may be unable to afford to increase their salary this year. The impact on workplace diversity, both in terms of skills and cultures, could be significant.
That being said, the higher salary requirement may encourage businesses to appreciate the value of skilled workers, which could have a positive impact on the culture of Southport workplaces as a whole.
Moreover, the new entrant discount still applies, meaning there remains an incentive to join the Skilled Worker route, and Southport will be welcoming many skilled workers in the future. It’s likely that this scheme will continue to thrive in the long-term, despite the new challenges that have been presented.
Overall, it’s recommended for Southport businesses to seek advice from immigration lawyers on the new Skilled Worker rules. Being aware of the specific changes is key to overcoming the fresh challenges that businesses may face.
Conclusion
It’s clear that Southport businesses will be affected by the change in salary requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa UK, as well as the new dependant rules.
Challenges are to be expected — both financial and social — yet this visa route has always proven to adapt to each new rule with success. If businesses are ready to tackle this journey with an immigration lawyer by their side, there shouldn’t be major concerns regarding recruitment and finance.
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