London, the lively British capital, which has always been attractive to many workers from all over the world, is becoming an increasingly difficult place to reach and call home. Since last April 1st, one has come into force legislation which provides for a restriction on all those who want to live and work in the United Kingdom.
In fact, the country has recently introduced stricter rules on work visas for foreigners, with significant consequences for non-Brits without work permits. These measures will hit workers from abroad hard, including many young Europeans, including Italians, who were previously able to work in the UK without any particular restrictions.
There is a minimum salary requirement
As of April, the minimum wage required to obtain a visa for your first work experience in the UK And increased by 40%, from around €33,000 (£26,200) to around €45,000 (£38,700) per year. This makes it practically impossible to obtain a work visa for those who do not reach this figure. This higher threshold applies to many professions, including those traditionally considered unskilled, such as waiters, chefs and shop assistants. This makes it difficult for many skilled foreigners to obtain a work visa in the country.
Additionally, the new visa rules do not apply to those who already obtained a visa before 4 April 2024. Those looking to bring their family with them to the UK must now meet stricter requirements, including higher minimum wages and significant savings.
Employers sponsoring workers' visas must now cover the cost of the visa, which amounts to around £1,500 and includes paying for public health cover for the worker.
Why these measures were taken
These measures, part of a broader package of anti-immigration laws wanted by the Sunak government, have the aim of reducing migratory flows and selecting more carefully the professionals who can enter the country. It must be said that these policies also have negative consequences, especially for sectors such as higher education, which rely heavily on foreign students to support revenue.
For example, young Italian, Spanish, French and Polish bartenders and waiters, who constitute a vital element for the sector, are at risk of being particularly affected by these restrictions.
Immigration restrictions are also already negatively impacting the number of overseas students choosing to study in the UK. In fact, Indian student enrollments are down 34%, primarily due to recent restrictions on family visas. To obtain residence permit for family members, you will need to have a salary of at least £29,000, with a further increase expected by early 2025.
Non-dom tax regime abolished
But it's not just visa regulations that make the working landscape in London complicated. The British government also abolished the “non-dom” tax regime, which allowed UK residents to be taxed only on UK-source income and capital gains. This abolition could further reduce the UK's attractiveness to expats and professionals from other countries, who will now face heavier taxation.
