UK announces new visa regulations for foreign visitors

On the 7th of October, the UK government announced new visa regulations for foreign visitors. The main objective of these new regulations is to attract highly-skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs to the country in order to boost the economy. The new regulations will come into effect on the 1st of January 2021.

New visa categories

Under the new regulations, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category is being renamed as the Global Talent visa. The Tier 1 (Investor) visa category has been suspended until new rules are introduced in 2021. In addition, a new Start-Up visa category will be introduced to help entrepreneurs set up innovative businesses in the UK.

Changes to the minimum salary threshold

Currently, the minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 visas is ￡30,000. However, under the new regulations, this threshold will be lowered to ￡25,600. In addition, the short-term visa route (Tier 5) will be expanded to include workers in the fields of architecture and engineering. These changes reflect the UK government's desire to attract skilled workers across a range of sectors.

New health insurance requirements

Under the new regulations, all foreign visitors will be required to have comprehensive sickness insurance during their stay in the UK. This requirement will be enforced for all visa categories with the exception of the visitor visa. This new requirement is designed to reduce the burden on the NHS.

New rules for international students

International students will now be able to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree. This is a significant change from the current rules which only allow students to stay for four months after graduation. This change will make the UK a more attractive destination for international students and will help to retain the best and brightest graduates in the country.

Conclusion

Overall, the new visa regulations announced by the UK government are designed to attract highly-skilled workers and entrepreneurs to the country. These new regulations will make it easier for foreign visitors to come to the UK and contribute to the economy. However, while these changes are positive, there are concerns that the new health insurance requirement may deter some visitors from coming to the UK.