As we start the second month of 2024, the United Kingdom has already made significant changes to immigration. The government wants to reduce the number of people coming into the country. These immigration changes show what the current government thinks is essential and will significantly impact people, businesses, and families.

This post shows the changes made to the UK’s Immigration Rules this year. Furthermore, we want to help readers understand when the UK Immigration system will be changed in early 2024.

• For people who like short information, here are the important dates and changes to the Immigration Rules to know about:
• On January 1, 2024, the UK changed its rules for student visas to stop most international students from bringing their family members to the UK while they are studying.
• On January 31, 2024, the rules for visitors were changed. Visitors can now do more things. Visitors can also work from a remote location. Some visitor routes were combined into one. New rules were added for partners who have lost a loved one, people who are victims of domestic abuse, and people who don’t have a country to call home.
• On February 1, 2024, people from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan can start applying for permission to travel electronically.
• On February 6, 2024, the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will go up by 66%.
• On February 13, 2024, the fines for working illegally will become three times higher under new rules.
• On March 11, 2024, care workers and senior care workers will not be allowed to bring their families to the UK. Care homes in England must be checked by the Care Quality Commission to hire foreign workers under the Health and Care Worker visa route.
• On March 14, 2024, a new set of immigration rules will be presented to Parliament. These rules will replace the current list of jobs in high demand with a new list based on salary requirements.
• On April 4, 2024, the lowest salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa will go up from £26,200 to £38,700 per year.
• On April 6, 2024, you won’t have to renew Sponsor Licences anymore.
• On April 11, 2024, the minimum amount needed for partners to apply for Appendix FM will go up from £18,600 to £29,000.

January 1, 2024: Changes to the UK Student Visa Rules For Dependants

On January 1, 2024, the UK changed the rules for student visas. Now, most international students can’t bring their family members when studying in the UK.

The new rules only apply to students who applied for a course starting on or after January 1, 2024, after 3 pm on July 17, 2023. Beginning on January 1, 2024, a student can only bring their family with them to the UK if they are studying for a Ph.D. or doctorate full-time or if they are studying a research-based higher degree course that lasts nine months or longer. They can also bring their family if the government sponsors them, and their course lasts over six months.

In other words, students doing a non-research Master’s degree can’t bring their family to the UK on a Student Visa anymore. Bachelor students sponsored by the government and studying for at least six months can now get their family members to the UK.

New rules for UK student visas for dependents will start on January 1, 2024.

January 31, 2024: Changes to the UK Visit Visa Rules

Three crucial changes to the UK’s Visit Visa rules were made at the end of January 2024.

On January 31, 2024, more things were allowed for visitors to do in the UK to make it easier for them to do business. Notably, Business Visitors can now work directly with clients for intra-corporate activities, as long as it’s not the central part of their job and doesn’t involve moving a project or service to their overseas employer. Also, scientists, researchers, and academics now have more freedom to research beyond their research.

In the past, people who came to the UK could not work here or get paid by someone in the UK unless there were special reasons. On January 31, 2024, the rules for people coming to the UK changed. Visitors are now allowed to work from a distance in the UK. However, it’s important to note that the main reason for visiting the UK should be to do something allowed, not just to work from there. Working from home should not be the main reason for the visit.

On January 31, 2024, the Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor route was combined with the Standard Visitor route. This means all visitors can work and get paid without needing a special visa. It is essential to remember that people who want to participate in a PPE must have planned their activity before coming to the UK. Also, what you want to do must be finished within 30 days of coming to the UK, even though your Visitor’s visa will last six months.

January 31, 2024: Introduction of new Appendix Bereaved Partner, Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse and Appendix Statelessness

On January 31, 2024, a new rule called Appendix Bereaved Partner replaced the old rules for bereaved partners and their children in the Immigration Rules. The Appendix for Bereaved Partners has rules for children who depend on their parents who have passed away. It understands that when someone dies, it affects the whole family.

On the same day, a new rule for victims of domestic abuse took the place of the old rule for victims and their children in the immigration laws. The Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse helps people whose partner or family has abused them to apply for permission to enter the UK with their children. This is very important for people who have been left alone in another country because of the domestic abuse they have suffered.

On January 31, 2024, a new law called Appendix Statelessness replaced the old rules for people without nationality in the Immigration Rules.

February 1, 2024: Changes to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is needed for people who want to visit or pass through the UK but do not have a visa or any other immigration status.

Citizens of Qatar have had to get permission to travel to the UK online since October 25, 2023.

On February 1, 2024, people from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan could start applying for permission to travel electronically. People from these countries will need a UK ETA to visit or pass through the UK starting February 22, 2024.

Starting in 2024, everyone who wants to travel to another country and doesn’t need a visa will have to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

February 6, 2024: Increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee you pay when applying for a UK visa. It allows you to use the National Health Service (NHS) while you are in the UK. You can access the NHS as many times as you need to. In addition, you can’t choose to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge even if you think you won’t use the NHS or want to pay for private healthcare instead.

On October 13, 2023, the UK government raised the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) by 66%. On January 16, 2024, a group of lawmakers in the House of Commons agreed to change the UK’s rules about how much immigrants have to pay for healthcare. It’s been confirmed that the price for the Immigration Health Surcharge will go up on February 6, 2024.

Starting from February 6, 2024, students, their dependents, and young people applying to live or study in the UK will need to pay more for their health surcharge. The cost will increase from £470 to £776 per year.

For other types of immigration applications for people 18 and older, the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge is going up from £624 a year to £1,035 a year.

For information on who doesn’t have to pay more for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) starting February 6, 2024, check out our other post.