At the start of 2024 there was a sense of optimism, with some welcome amendments to the UK’s immigration rules. However, 2024 soon became more complex, as a series of policy changes, some aimed at controlling migration numbers, took effect. Looking ahead to 2025, further changes are expected.
Here’s a summary of the most significant changes in UK immigration in 2024 and what we can expect in the year to come.
Changes in 2024
New Permitted Activities for Business Visitors
In January 2024 the Immigration Rules were updated to make it easier for visitors to engage in certain business activities in the UK without needing a work visa. These updates expanded the list of permitted activities for visitors, allowing client-facing roles for worker visiting a UK branch or subsidiary of the same corporate group. More flexibility was added for overseas lawyers, and individuals entering for permitted paid engagements no longer need to be stamped in by a Border Force officer.
IHS Fee Increase
While the expansion of permitting activities took place, the excitement was quickly brought down by the hike in the Immigration Health Surcharge fees. From February2024, the IHS almost doubled its fees, from £624 to £1,035 per year for adult visa holders. The significant increase posed a challenge for many applicants, driving up the overall cost of securing visas for workers and families.
Civil Penalties
The IHS increase was followed by the maximum civil penalty for employing someone illegally tripling, rising from £20,000 to £60,000 per illegal worker. This hike added a significant financial burden on employers and reinstate the need for compliance with right to work checks and related immigration rules.
Limitations on migrant workers
In April 2024, the outgoing government introduced restrictions on the ability of sponsored care workers and students preventing them to bring dependent family members with them to the UK. This change led to a noticeable decrease in the number of people applying under those categories.
Furthermore, the minimum salary for Skilled Worker spiked from £26,200 to £38,700. This has also resulted in additional challenges for employers trying to sponsor foreign workers. Likewise, the minimum income requirement for partners of British citizens rose from £18,600 to £29,000 causing considerable strain on families,
End of Sponsor Licence Renewals
In April 2024, the Home Office unexpectedly announced that sponsor licences would no longer need to be renewed and will continue to exist unless revoked. This new rule eliminates the costly requirement of renewal streamlining the process for employers sponsoring workers.
EU Settlement Scheme Updates
From May 2024, individuals with pre-settled status will automatically receive a 5-year extension, preventing them from becoming overstayers. Additionally, employers now need to check pre-settled status only once before hiring, rather than checking again before the status expires. This update brings much-needed clarity and simplifies compliance for businesses.
The End of BRPs: transition to eVisas
In one of the most ambitious immigration mission of the past few years, the UK government set a target of transitioning everyone to an eVisa (digital immigration status) by the end of 2024. Since the beginning of 2024 (and for sometime before then) people with Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) could create a UKVI account to link their eVisa.
From 1 November 2024, BRPs ceased to be issued.
However, there was a a last-minute announcement in December 2024 indicating that the transition period would be extended until at least 31 March 2025. They have advised for travellers to carry their BRP card even if expired with them and use the “view and prove” service if their eVisa does not function properly.