UK Updates Immigration Routes, Unveils Future Plans for Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme

The UK Home Office published a new Statement of Changes setting out changes to the immigration rules coming into force on 12 and 13 April 2023. The changes include increases to the minimum salary requirements for sponsored workers, the launch of a new Innovator Founder route, and the introduction of a new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme will be implemented for certain nationals from November 2023.

SALARY REQUIREMENTS

The Statement of Changes increases the minimum salary requirements for work visa routes from 12 April 2023, as follows:

• Skilled Workers: £25,600 to £26,200
• Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Workers: £42,400 to £45,800
• Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee: £23,100 to £24,220
• Scale-up Worker Route: £33,000 to £34,600

In addition, the example salaries will now be based on a 37.5-hour week (instead of the current 39-hour work week).

The increases are intended to reflect the latest available UK salary data. Employers will need to ensure that they are offering salaries that meet or exceed both the general salary requirement and going rate as set out in the relevant occupation code.

INNOVATOR FOUNDER ROUTE

From 13 April 2023, individuals wishing to establish an innovative business in the United Kingdom may apply under the Innovator Founder route. It is intended to give greater flexibility than was previously available under the Innovator and Start-up routes. Under this new route, individuals will no longer be required to have a minimum of £50,000 available to invest in the business and they will now be able to undertake supplementary employment outside of the running of their business, so long as this employment consists of skilled work.

In tandem with the opening of the Innovator Founder route, the Start-up route will close to new initial applications from 13 April 2023. Current holders of a valid Start-up visa will be able to extend their permission until 13 July 2023, when the route will close completely.

The Innovator Founder Route will also be a route to settlement after spending three years continuously resident in the United Kingdom.

CHANGES OWING TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, AND JAPAN

Nationals and permanent residents of Australia and Japanese nationals will no longer be required to work for their overseas employer for at least 12 months prior to making an application under the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route.

From 29 June 2023, New Zealand nationals can extend their Youth Mobility visas for a further year, up to a maximum of three years (an increase from the current two-year maximum period). The age range for New Zealand nationals eligible to apply under this route is also being expanded from 18–30 to 18–35.

ETA SCHEME

The United Kingdom will implement an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requiring those visiting or transiting the United Kingdom (including business visitors) to obtain authorisation before travelling to the United Kingdom. This will initially apply to Qatari nationals from 15 November 2023. Qatari nationals can apply from 25 October 2023. It will extend to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates intending to travel on or after 22 February 2024. These nationals can apply from 1 February 2024. The ETA scheme will be extended to additional nationals in due course.

Applications can be made on the UK ETA App or online. Decisions should be made within three working days. The cost of an ETA has not yet been published.

An ETA will not be needed by British or Irish passport holders or by anyone with a UK visa or permission to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom.

For further guidance on the ETA scheme, visit the UK government’s website.