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eVisa is a new digital way to prove your immigration status. From 1 January 2025, you will need an eVisa instead of:

• biometric residence permits (BRP)
• biometric residence cards (BRC)
• endorsements or stickers in passports

BRP and documents above will no longer be accepted.

To get an eVisa – Create a UKVI online account. You might already have one if you have a BRP.

• If you already have a BRP, then you will already have a UKVI account and you can apply directly to the eVisa scheme online. You need to do this even if your current visa lasts beyond the introduction of the eVisa system on 1 January 2025.
• If you don’t have a BRP, you need to get one before applying for an eVisa.

If you have settlement status and a physical document which prove your status, you must apply for a BRP. If successful, you will receive a UKVI account and can apply for an eVisa.

When applying, you may need to provide evidence of your residency in the UK for each year. This evidence must be submitted online and may include mortgage statements, employment records, and travel history.

• If you already have a BRC, your status has been granted under the EU Settlement Scheme and you have an eVisa. You don’t need to apply for one.

If you have pre-settled or settled status through the EUSS scheme, you will be given an eVisa.

If you want to apply for a visa or ILR

If your application to remain in the UK is successful, you will get a temporary BRP and an eVisa and at the end of 2024 you will have only eVisa.

What can you do with eVisa?

• eVisa will be linked to your UKVI digital account.
• You will need to constantly update your passport and ID card details.
• You will need to have your passport with you when traveling.

When you have a UKVI account, you will be able to generate codes that confirm your status and share them.

Why do you need codes?

• Share with employers or landlords.
• The codes give access to your immigration status.
• You can generate new codes whenever you need them.

We help our clients get a UK visa quickly.

If you need help book a consultation below.

We are witnessing a transition from the current SOC 2010 codes to SOC 2020 Codes, aligning with the latest data provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As a result, sponsors will need to evaluate which SOC Code is appropriate under the new list for individuals sponsored starting from April 4th, 2024. For those extending their sponsorship, it is crucial to map their existing SOC Code to the corresponding new SOC Code.

Additionally, it appears that several SOC Codes previously not eligible for sponsorship have been added to the list of eligible SOC codes. This development broadens the scope of occupations that can be sponsored under these classification systems. It is important for sponsors to stay updated with these changes and ensure compliance with the revised SOC codes in order to maintain accurate records and avoid potential legal or administrative issues.

These changes are necessary to reflect the evolving nature of work and the changing demands of the labor market. The new SOC codes will provide a more accurate and up-to-date classification system for occupations. The revised SOC codes are based on input from various stakeholders, including employers, workers, and researchers.

One of the key changes in the new SOC codes is the addition of new categories to reflect emerging occupations such as data scientists, digital marketers, and content creators. Additionally, some existing categories have been reorganized or renamed to better reflect their content. For example, the category of “Computer and Mathematical Occupations” has been split into two separate categories: “Information Technology Occupations” and “Mathematical Science Occupations.”

Another important change is the inclusion of more detailed subcategories within each major category. This will allow for a more granular analysis of occupational trends and will make it easier to compare data across time periods.

Overall, the changes to the SOC codes from April 4, 2024 are designed to improve the accuracy and relevance of the classification system. This will benefit both researchers and policymakers who use the SOC codes for their work.

The United Kingdom has announced an increase in the minimum salary requirement for family visas. The spouse/partner visa minimum income should be £29,000 from April 11, 2024, and this amount will be valid until the 4th quarter of 2024 and then it will be increased by the end of the year to £34,500 and at the beginning of 2025 to £38,700.

This change was announced in the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 590), which was published on March 14, 2024 and laid out before Parliament on the same day.

This amendment to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to regulate immigration and ensure that those seeking entry into the country have the means to support themselves and their families. The increased minimum income requirement is aimed at ensuring that only those who can financially support themselves and any dependents they bring with them are granted a family visa.

Who will be affected?

The Statement of Changes specifies that the change will affect new applicants to the family route, which includes children, spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, fiancés, and proposed civil partners.

Individuals who already have a family visa granted on the five-year route to settlement and who wish to apply to extend their stay or apply for indefinite leave to remain with the same partner will continue to be assessed against the £18,600 income requirement. Likewise, those who submit an application before the increase takes effect on April 11, 2024, will also have their applications assessed against the current threshold.

Can the income of both the applicant and the sponsor be included in calculating the £18,600 / £29,000 sum?

Both the applicant’s and the sponsor’s income can be taken into account when calculating the £18,600 / £29,000 threshold.

When applying for an initial visa from outside the UK, only the sponsor’s income is considered towards meeting the minimum income requirement. However, for extensions and permanent residence, both incomes are taken into account. Generally, individuals need to provide proof of having earned this income over the past six months.

There are also options available for those who do not meet the minimum income requirements, allowing them to qualify for a visa through other means such as using savings above £16,000 or in exceptional circumstances.

Savings still count towards the minimum income threshold

The basic rule remains the same as before: only savings above £16,000, divided by 2.5, count towards the threshold. Usually, people will add savings to the sponsor’s income to reach the threshold, although they are also allowed to use only their savings. A couple with no relevant earnings who want to meet the threshold entirely through savings now need a lump sum of £88,500.

Similar to the main income rule, individuals generally need to have had the required amount of savings in their account(s) for six months prior to applying.

How our Immigration Advisors can help?

Our immigration advisors are ready to provide advice and guidance regarding Family Visas: spouse, partner, and other Appendix FM applications. If you are interested in making an application, our specialists would be happy to have discussion with you. Book a consultation below.

From April 4, 2024, the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa applications raised to £38,700 or higher for that type of role.

Roles will be as set out in the SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) 2020, instead of SOC 2010. This will result in changes to the occupation code number for some roles.

The Home Office has announced transitional salaries for individuals who already hold a Skilled Worker visa and apply to extend their permission or change employers in the UK.

For these individuals, the minimum salary threshold will be the higher of £29,000 (an increase from £26,200) or the going rate for the type of role, which will be based on the 25th percentile of the 2023 ASHE data. In most cases, this amounts to a 10-20% increase to the minimum salary requirement.

Salary threshold increases have different standard going rate and lower going rate it depends on occupation code, job type and related job titles. The table can be found on the website gov.uk.

Discounts for new members are saved

The Home Office has confirmed that the ‘new entrant’ salary discounts for Skilled Worker visa applicants will remain in certain cases. These include students switching to Skilled Worker, applicants under 26 years old, and those working towards full registration or chartered status.

The new entrant discount reduces the minimum salary threshold to either £30,960 per year or 70% of the going rate for the applicable SOC 2020 occupation code. For example, for occupation code 2134, the minimum salary would be £34,580. Both thresholds are significantly higher than before April 4th, 2024. This may exclude many graduate roles from sponsorship.

It is important to note that this discount can only be applied for a maximum of four years, including any time spent on a Graduate visa. After this period, individuals must meet the higher salary thresholds.

When applying for settlement, the full applicable going rate salary must be paid.

Skilled Worker route

Starting from April 4, 2024, there has been a significant increase in both general salary thresholds and going rates for Skilled Workers.

It’s important to note that the requirement to meet the minimum hourly rate of £10.75 has been removed. Applicants are now only required to meet either the general salary threshold or the going rate, whichever is higher.

1) Increase to general salary thresholds:

• The general salary threshold will increase for newly sponsored as of April 4th. It will be:
• £38,700 for those sponsored who do not qualify for a discount
• £30,960 for new entrants and roles on the Immigration Salary list
• £34,830 for those holding a relevant PhD
• £29,000 for those sponsored under the Health & Care SOC route where their Code is not on the Immigration Salary List (ISL)
• £23,200 for those sponsored under the Health & Care route where the SOC Code is on the ISL
• £23,200 for those in pay scale occupations

• For those already sponsored as a Skilled Worker prior to April 4, 2024, transitional provisions will apply. They will have a general salary threshold of £29,000 or £23,200 if they are new entrants or their role is on the previous Shortage Occupation List or New Immigration Salary list. The threshold is £26,100 for those with a relevant PhD.

2) Increase to going rates:

Salaries for Skilled Workers will rise from April 2024, based on latest ONS data, with significant increases to some SOC Code categories. Existing sponsored workers will also see salary increases. Health and Care visas and national pay scale occupations are exempt. The Shortage Occupation List is replaced by the Immigration Salary List, with a 20% discount for jobs on this list. Salary discounts for new entrants and PhD holders are retained, but against new median rates. National pay scales are also retained.

Book a consultation with our immigration adviser and we will answer all your questions.

Since April 11, 2024, there have been major changes in the 10 year Long Residence ILR route. The changes open up the route for many, but limit it for others.

The long residence route to the settlement is created for those who have lived in the UK continuously and legally for more than10 years. The rules are now integrated into the new appendix: Appendix Long Residence.

The changes will be available to some applicants who did not meet previous absentee requirements, such as those who came to the UK as a child-student, while others lose out.

Calculation of absence

The requirement for 548 days total outside the UK during the 10-year period is removed, but applicants can no longer have absences of up to 184 days in a row. For settlement applications, applicants must hold their current immigration permission for at least one year from 11 April 2024.

The applicant must have a permit of 12 months or more on the current route

A new requirement has been introduced that applicants must hold permits on the current route for at least 12 months. This change will delay the application for settlement, even if you have already completed 10-year residency, if you have been on your current route for less than a year.

Importantly, this requirement applies only to applicants whose current visa is granted after 11 April 2024.

What counts for the 10-year qualifying period?

Applicants must have a lawful permit in the UK or be exempt from immigration, with the exception of permits as visitors, short-term students or seasonal workers.

The new rules stipulate that the time spent in the UK by EEA nationals or families of EEA nationals to exercise treaty rights is eligible for a period of 10years. This is a clearer position than under the previous rule.

As before, the time spent over-staying in the UK will still break the 10-year qualifying period, with a few limited exceptions.

Importantly, one major change was a useful feature of the old route, which allowed those who had accrued a long period of legal residence but who had never made an application, as applicants could no longer rely on the historic 10-year qualifying period to qualify for settlement under the new rules. This is no longer an option under the new rules.

How we can help?

Book a consultation with our immigration adviser and learn how these changes will affect you and how you will remain eligible for indefinite leave.