06 Jul Salary threshold for migrants to settle in the UK from 2016

For decades the Home Office has granted settled status to migrants on the basis of the length of time spent in the UK and their ties to this country. However, in early 2012, significant changes were announced to the salary threshold for Tier 2 migrants, wishing to settle in the UK after April 2016. This strategy was part of the government’s intention to decrease net migration and to ensure that only the brightest and best talents can remain in the UK permanently.

During the last few years the Home Office has taken several steps to bring “migration under control” by manipulating the salary threshold to ensure that businesses do not undercut wages and that only genuine companies are granted a sponsorship license.

Recently the Home Office has published a new salary threshold’s criteria for Tier 2 migrants. These requirements will be implemented on 6 April 2016 and clearly state that the sponsor, that issued the COS leading to the applicant’s last grant of leave before settlement, must certify in writing that the applicant is still required for the employment in question and he/she is being paid for the employment either at or above the appropriate rate for the job, as stated in the Codes of Practice or at least:

– £35,000 if applying on or after 6 April 2016,

– £35,500 if applying on or after 6 April 2018,

– £35,800 if applying on or after 6 April 2019,

– £36,200 if applying on or after 6 April 2020

The proposed changes to the salary threshold have already attracted negative feedbacks from existing sponsors, especially from those, who are currently struggling to satisfy the gross annual salary’s threshold set in the current Codes of Practice such as NHS and universities.

If you are a licensed sponsor or a migrant worker and the implementation of the new requirements concerns you, please do not hesitate to contact one of our immigration consultants.