Friday 22 March 2024

As summarised by our team last week, the Home Office confirmed in its Statement of Changes that the general salary threshold for most applicants in the Skilled Worker route will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per year, and the general salary threshold for most Global Business Mobility routes shall also increase (from £45,800 to £48,500 for Senior or Specialist Workers, for example).

Whilst these changes are due to take effect on 4 April 2024, for Certificates of Sponsorship assigned before 2 April 2024 at 7pm, the corresponding application for immigration permission will be considered under the current rules even if submitted on or after 4 April 2024.

If you intend to sponsor a worker to start later in the year, it is worth considering assigning their CoS now (or before 2 April 2024) in order to rely on the lower salary thresholds currently in place.

A CoS can be assigned three months before the respective application for immigration permission is submitted. The application can be submitted up to three months before a worker’s start date. Therefore, as an example, a CoS can be assigned on 1 April for an individual to apply by 30 June with a start date of no later than 29 September.

Get in touch

Contact your assigned LDI lawyer now to discuss strategic options in light of the upcoming changes. To learn more about forthcoming changes to UK immigration law, see our website, contact your assigned LDI lawyer or email enquiries@lauradevine.com.