Introduction

The UK immigration system is constantly evolving, and it's essential for prospective immigrants and visitors to keep up to date with the latest changes. Failure to comply with the UK immigration rules can have severe consequences such as having your visa application rejected or being deported from the country. In this article, we'll be discussing some of the critical updates to the UK visa regulations that you need to be familiar with to ensure compliance and avoid any unexpected issues.

The UK Points-Based System

Implemented in 2008, the UK points-based system is a framework used to assess visa applications from non-UK nationals. The system assigns a score to individuals or businesses based on criteria such as education level, work experience, and language skills. As long as your score meets the minimum threshold set for the visa category you're applying for, you'll be granted a visa.

The system has undergone several updates in recent years to comply with changes in the UK's immigration policy. In December 2020, a new points-based system was launched to replace the previous system shortly before the UK's departure from the European Union. According to the new system, applicants must achieve a specific number of points to be eligible for a UK visa. The number of points required varies depending on the visa category in question.

Changes to the Immigration Health Surcharge

The NHS (National Health Service) is the UK's public healthcare system that's available to residents in the country. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee payable by non-UK residents seeking to visit or live in the UK for more than six months. The IHS is used to fund healthcare services provided to individuals using the NHS service.

Recently, the UK government announced an increase in the IHS fees, which took effect from January 2021. The fee increased from ￡400 to ￡624 per year for adults, while students, youth mobility scheme workers, and dependent children will pay ￡470 per year. Visitors seeking to stay in the UK for less than six months will be required to pay ￡470 for the same coverage.

Changes to English Language Requirements

The UK government has set a new rule that mandates English language proficiency for migrants. According to the new rules, applicants for Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer visas must pass an English Language Test from a government-approved provider. In contrast, applicants for the Global Talent visa must either pass the English Language Test or show evidence of a degree-level qualification taught in the English language.

An exemption to the English language proficiency requirement applies to applicants from specific countries where English is the primary language and those with a degree-level qualification taught in English.

Changes to the Right-to-Work Check Requirements

The UK's Right to Work Check requires employers to verify the right of non-UK nationals to work in the country before hiring them. Since 2019, the check process has been streamlined, allowing employers to use online checks to verify a candidate's right to work. However, following Brexit, the UK government updated the guidelines for Right to Work Checks to include stricter requirements.

As part of the guidelines, employers are expected to verify the status of non-UK citizen employees, who have previously acquired Settled or Pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme or other UK residency permits. For individuals without a statutory right to work in the UK, employers must follow the immigration rules governing UK visa applications to determine eligibility.

Conclusion

UK Immigration rules are continuously changing and can be challenging to navigate, especially for first-time visitors and immigrants. However, by keeping up to date with the latest regulations, you'll have a better chance of obtaining a UK visa without the risk of rejection or other challenges. Engaging the services of a reliable immigration lawyer or consultant can also help ensure compliance with the rules while making the visa application process more comfortable and straightforward.