The United Kingdom could make it easier for foreign professionals to qualify for work visas if the government adopts a new set of recommendations from the country’s independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
- +UK review proposes lower salary requirements for work visas
The proposals, which focus on salary thresholds across several immigration routes, are aimed at addressing labour shortages while maintaining competitive wage standards, according to Travel Biz reports.
The proposals, which focus on salary thresholds across several immigration routes, are aimed at addressing labour shortages while maintaining competitive wage standards, according to Travel Biz reports.
If implemented, the changes could widen access to UK jobs for skilled foreign workers, including thousands of professionals from countries such as India and Nigeria who continue to seek employment opportunities in the UK.
A major recommendation from the MAC is to reduce occupation-specific salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa route.
The proposed adjustment could improve access to sponsored roles in sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, construction, and education, where employers continue to face recruitment challenges.
The advisory body has also recommended introducing a single salary threshold of £33,400 for new entrants under the Skilled Worker route.
The proposal is designed to make it easier for younger professionals and recent graduates to enter the UK labour market without requiring employers to meet salary levels typically associated with experienced workers.
The proposed changes also affect Global Business Mobility routes used by multinational companies to transfer employees into the UK.
The MAC also proposed a minimum salary threshold of £30,900 for jobs listed on the Temporary Shortage List. While such occupations may continue to receive immigration support, employers would still be required to offer salaries aligned with market rates.
Nairametrics previously reported that the UK had announced a broad increase in visa application fees for individuals applying from outside the country, with new charges.
Under the revised fee structure, short-term visit visas of up to six months rose from £127 to £135, while long-term visit visas also saw notable increases.
Two-year visit visas now cost £506, up from £475, while five-year and ten-year visas increased to £903 and £1,128 respectively.
The adjustments extended across multiple visa categories, including transit, study-related, and family migration routes.
