Indians were the primary beneficiaries of the UK's immigration policy last year. However, these numbers might dwindle in the coming years due to significant changes introduced by the UK government, particularly those unfriendly to families. British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, shared on X that 25% of the total 2,836,490 visas granted by the UK in 2022 were to Indians, surpassing figures from any other country. Work visas surged by 130%, while there was a notable 73% increase in student visas granted to Indians in 2022. Nevertheless, the UK plans to raise the minimum salary for various categories of skilled workers. The most impactful change for Indians could be the restriction on care workers bringing their family members to the UK. Moreover, the minimum requirement for a British citizen to bring a foreign partner or family member has now doubled. The minimum annual salary requirement for skilled worker jobs, previously at £27,000, has risen to approximately £40,000. Healthcare and care workers constitute nearly half of the UK's work visas. Although the minimum salary requirements for such workers remain unchanged, they may no longer have the option to bring their families along, unlike before. Gurpreet Singh, an immigration agent from Amritsar, expressed concerns, stating, "The UK's visa system used to be quite flexible. While obtaining UK citizenship is challenging, arriving in the UK on legal terms was not as tough. Applicants with relevant degrees from Indian universities didn't require IELTS for a skilled visa. For instance, becoming a care worker in the UK only necessitated a graduation in any stream, without the need for IELTS. Previously, care workers could bring their families, mostly couples. However, the proposed changes may make it difficult for couples to relocate under care visa programs." Tanvir Singh shared his brother's experience, mentioning, "My brother's wife secured a care worker visa in the UK. They got married without having cleared IELTS. Her care visa became the basis for our marriage proposal. They both moved to the UK and are now financially stable." Gurpreet Singh emphasized, "Such marriages might not have a promising future if one spouse remains stuck in India. A single person's salary might not cover day-to-day expenses in the UK. To save and plan for a house in the UK, both partners often need to work. If the ban on family dependents for care visas becomes a reality, fewer people might opt for it." These visa changes are expected to take effect in January. Manpreet Kaur, a visa consultant from Jalandhar, criticized the proposed ban on family members, stating, "Banning family dependents could adversely impact the UK's immigration policy. Care workers are needed, and any such ban might lead to a shortage. This shortage might be exploited by immigrants from third-world countries to enter legally and then violate their visa terms, becoming illegal immigrants. It's indeed a setback for those aiming to work legally in the UK and provide comfort to their families." Moreover, the UK has raised the minimum income requirement for British citizens who wish to bring their foreign partners to live with them, from around £20,000 to £40,000, significantly impacting marriage proposals originating from Punjab. Manpreet Kaur also commented, "The changes in UK visa policies seem more driven by anti-immigration sentiments within the country. The government's review of the graduation visa route, limiting someone's stay after successfully completing a course in the UK to at least two years, might hinder switching to a work visa before completing studies."
