Rising costs and stricter rules in UK immigration lead to shift from retirees to young professionals – Mishal Patel
The United Kingdom has long been a preferred destination for South Africans eager to expand their horizons by living and working abroad. In many areas, such as Wimbledon, it's common to hear Afrikaans spoken. However, under pressure to reduce migration numbers, the UK government has recently tightened its immigration rules. Mishal Patel, Director of Citizenship and Immigration at Sable International, identifies the escalating costs as the most significant change impacting South Africans. In an interview with Biznews, Patel said increases in the Immigration Health Surcharge, stricter family visa requirements, and limitations on students bringing dependents to the UK have resulted in a 5-6% decrease in immigration interest. He says there has been a noticeable shift in the demographic profile of South Africans looking to emigrate, moving away from retirees towards younger professionals. Despite these changes, the UK continues to demand healthcare, hospitality, and construction professionals. To support individuals considering relocation, Sable International will host a series of Expos across South Africa in November. The immigration specialists have also introduced a new Refusal Review Service to assist people whose passport applications have been refused.
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Highlights from the interview
In a recent interview with Linda van Tilburg for Biznews, Mishal Patel, Director of Citizenship and Immigration at Sable International, discussed significant updates in UK immigration policies. He highlighted five key changes over the past year. Firstly, fees have risen sharply, particularly the immigration health surcharge, from £624 to £1,035 per year. The minimum income threshold for British citizens sponsoring non-British spouses also rose from £18,600 to £22,400, with further increases paused pending a review.
International students now face restrictions on bringing dependents unless enrolled in specific courses, while the Youth Mobility Scheme has expanded to include New Zealand and India. A new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been introduced, raising concerns about costs. The salary threshold for skilled worker visas has increased to £26,200, complicating recruitment, especially in the healthcare sector.
Patel noted a 5-6% decline in applications, attributing this to rising costs that deter families, particularly from South Africa. He observed a demographic shift among South African immigrants, with younger professionals facing challenges securing sponsorships in the UK despite being highly qualified. The demand for various professionals, especially in healthcare and construction, remains strong.
Sable International plans to host Expos across South Africa, offering insights into immigration options and processes. Patel also described the Refusal Review Service, which helps clients contest incorrect refusals of UK immigration applications.
Edited transcript of the interview
Linda van Tilburg (00:00):
I am Linda van Tilburg for BizNews. Mishal Patel, the Director of Citizenship and Immigration at Sable International, is with me. Today, we're going to discuss UK immigration.
Can you give us an update on recent changes to UK immigration policies that prospective immigrants should be aware of?
Mishal Patel (00:35)
So, in the last year, we're discussing five major changes with our listeners. Starting with the most talked-about issue, costs. Fees have increased particularly the immigration health surcharge. It used to be £624 per year per person, which recently increased to £1035 per person. This took effect in October last year.
Furthermore, regarding family visas, the minimum income threshold for a British spouse looking to sponsor a non-British spouse has risen from £18,600 to £22,400. While the previous government planned for this threshold to increase incrementally, the new government has paused further changes pending a review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Linda van Tilburg (02:04)
That's good to know.
Mishal Patel (02:22)
Indeed, we're awaiting the committee's review results. It's 50-50 whether there might be further increases. Another major change affects international students, who can no longer bring dependents unless they pursue certain courses, typically at the PhD level.
On a positive note, they've expanded the Youth Mobility Scheme. In 2023, New Zealand and India were included. In India, a ballot system allows 5,000 applicants to apply, and New Zealand's age limit has been raised to 35.
New Zealanders under 35 can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme without an upper limit. Another recent development is the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which has raised concerns about costs. It's a two-year visa available to nationals of certain countries, intended to enhance security.
Lastly, the salary threshold for skilled worker visas has increased, making it more challenging for employers. The general threshold is now £26,200, impacting the health sector due to their lower salaries. This has led to a noticeable decline in work visas issued.
Employers are being encouraged to recruit and train locally. There is also a new basic system for seasonal workers, mainly affecting agriculture, but it's irrelevant to most of our audience. These are the key changes to UK immigration over the past year.
Linda van Tilburg (07:26)
Given the difficulties and costs, is this discouraging people, especially South Africans, from applying? Are applications declining?
Mishal Patel (07:57)
That's a fair question. Since the changes, we've seen a 5-6% decrease in applications. Families need to save more, which means delays. A family of four now faces government fees, including the health surcharge, of over £20,000. Converting that into Rands is significant.
Linda van Tilburg (09:18)
I often meet young professional South Africans here, like auditors, bookkeepers, and lawyers. It seems the profile of immigrants from South Africa is changing.
Mishal (09:19)
I agree. Over the years, I've seen a younger demographic attending our events in South Africa. They are recent graduates who face challenging job markets locally. They're highly qualified but find it harder to get sponsored roles in the UK. Yet, these young professionals are exactly whom the UK wants to attract. It's conflicted: attracting them but making it tougher for employers.
Linda van Tilburg (11:02)
Are there certain professions in demand? Someone mentioned bricklayers are needed. What about doctors, especially with changes in South Africa's National Health Insurance affecting them?
Mishal Patel (11:20)
The construction and hospitality sectors have taken a hit post-Brexit as we have a large European workforce. The UK now lacks bricklayers, plumbers, and even hospitality staff like restaurant managers. However, the top demand is in healthcare—nurses, doctors, and various health professionals. The UK offers incentives for such roles, like lower health surcharges.
Linda van Tilburg (13:26)
Sable International is hosting Expos across South Africa. When will they occur, and what guidance do they offer potential UK immigrants?
Mishal Patel (13:40)
Yes, it's exciting! We offer broad insights into UK and other international immigration options, including work visas, spousal visas, and investments. Attendees can learn what their immigration options are, the costs involved, and when to start the process—especially crucial for families with older children due to visa dependencies. I'll fly out this weekend, starting in Pretoria, then Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Cape Town, and, for the first time, Hermanus. Although we're not visiting Durban this time, we're covering these new locations.
Linda van Tilburg (16:25)
What does the Refusal Review Service Sable International offer?
Mishal Patel 16:54)
Our Refusal Review Service responds to client frustrations with UK passport and immigration refusals. We believe many can be overturned because we've encountered incorrect refusals ourselves, often due to misunderstandings of complex cases—such as wrong assumptions about family connections. We aim to help people get rightful approvals by reviewing and contesting these decisions.
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