Immigration Updates

• Published date: 25 July 2023
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration, Work Visas
• Law Firm: Weightmans
• Author: Ms Carolyn Bowie

We provide an update on the recently announced changes to immigration rules in the UK.

There has recently been a flurry of updates concerning the immigration rules. Below is an overview of relevant changes.

Fee increases

On 13 July 2023, the UK Government announced that the normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from '624 to '1,035 per year. The discounted rate (for students, children, and youth mobility visa holders) will increase from '470 to '776 per year.

Work and visit visa application fees are also set to rise by 15% and student visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement, citizenship, entry clearance and leave to remain applications are likely to increase by at least 20%.

There has been no official statement from the Government on when the increase in the immigration health surcharge and UK visa application fees will come into effect. However, it may be as soon as autumn 2023.

Statement of changes

Following this, a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1496) was published on 17 July 2023, with an explanatory memorandum.

Students

If an international student's course start date is on or after 1 January 2024, they are no longer permitted to bring dependants unless the course is a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree, which is defined in the Rules.

International students will no longer be allowed to switch into work routes before their studies have completed: "7.12 The switching restrictions will ensure that students are generally not switching in-country to another route until they have completed their courses. Students on courses at degree level or above will be able to apply before course completion to switch to sponsored work routes, as long as their employment start date is not before their course completion. Those studying towards PhDs will be able to switch after 24 months' study."

The amendments also remove the ability for international students to apply for permission to stay as a dependant in a work route, e.g., Skilled Worker, etc., under the UK Ancestry route, or any of the...