UK immigration law in 2024

2024 has been an important year for UK immigration law, with several significant changes introduced that impact all corners of the immigration system, from changes to asylum policy and digitalisation, to business and family immigration alike. Below, we outline some of the notable updates and what they mean.

The phased rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme brought new requirements for visa-free travellers entering the UK. ETAs, valid for two years, provide a digital pre-clearance system designed to enhance border security and streamline arrivals. While this measure aligns the UK with similar schemes in the United States and European Union (EU), concerns remain about older and frequent travellers who might be unaware of these changes, potentially causing delays and confusion at borders. On 2 April 2025, it will be required for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens to apply for an ETA when visiting the UK.

In February 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) nearly doubled, increasing from £624 per year for adults to £1,035. Rates for children, students, and specific visa routes also saw significant hikes. This dramatic rise has placed additional financial strain on applicants, particularly for families and Skilled Workers. Increases to the IHS has seen criticism from various advocacy groups, charities and Unions.

April 2024 brought several major updates to the Skilled Worker visa route and sponsorship system. The introduction of the Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaced the Shortage Occupation List, aligning salary thresholds with evolving labour market needs. However, the salary threshold for general Skilled Worker visas increased to £38,700, making it harder for some sectors to recruit internationally. Restrictions on partners and children of care workers also came into effect, creating further barriers for workers to settle in the UK.

In a positive change, the periodic renewal process for sponsor licences has been removed, meaning licenses are now automatically extended for 10 years. This is a significant shift from the previous 4-year validity period that will reduce administrative burdens for employers. 

However, this has been paired with stricter compliance requirements. Employers faced a stark increase in penalties for hiring workers without the right to work in the UK, with fines rising from £15,000-£20,000 to £45,000-£60,000 for each worker. The government’s emphasis on stricter compliance measures for employers emphasise the need for robust right-to-work checks and record-keeping.

The transition to fully digital immigration status was a major change in 2024, and remains so in 2025. With the phasing out of physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), migrants now rely on eVisas accessible via the UK government’s online portal. However, due to issues in the implementation of the eVisas, in December it was announced that there would be a delay in the full phaseout of BRP cards until March 2025, allowing expired BRP cards as proof of immigration status during travelling between January and March 2025. 

While this shift promises efficiency, concerns persist about digital exclusion for vulnerable individuals, and the consequences of technical errors.

As already mentioned, fees associated with visa applications increased across the board in 2024, impacting Skilled Worker visas, family visas, spouse visas and other applications for settlement. These higher costs have drawn criticism from applicants and employers alike, who must now factor these additional expenses into workforce planning and budgeting. One group who was impacted by these increases was individuals applying for or extending their visa to stay with their family in the UK.

In addition to visa fees, the minimum income threshold required to bring family member to the UK saw a significant increase as well. This means individuals looking to bring over a partner or child to the UK face a much higher financial burden than before April 2024. On a positive note for couples looking to reunite in the UK, the requirement for unmarried partners to demonstrate two years of cohabitation was removed, though couples must still provide evidence to show their relationship resembles a marriage or civil partnership, and has lasted for two years.

The new Labour government made changes to immigration policy, including scrapping the controversial Rwanda removal policy and redirecting funds to a new Border Security Command focused on tackling people smuggling. They aim to reduce the backlog of outstanding asylum applications by adding 1,000 staff to process claims and negotiating returns agreements with ‘safe countries of origin’. For Skilled Worker and family visas, Labour plans to review the criticised increase in income thresholds but is also looking to reduce the UK’s reliance on international workers, which could require employers to prioritise domestic hires. While these changes suggest stricter controls paired with efficiency measures, critics highlight a lack of bold reforms to create globally accessible safe routes and uphold human rights.

March 2024 marked five years since the full opening of the EU Settlement Scheme which granted millions of European nationals and their family members the right to live in the UK after Brexit came into effect. This meant that in 2024 we saw the first instances of the automatic extension of pre-settled status as announced in 2023. 

This year, we anticipate a significant increase in the number of people transitioning from pre-settled to settled status. However, we also expect a rise in refusals of settled status, leaving many individuals needing to explore alternative UK immigration routes to remain in the country—or face the prospect of leaving the UK.

2024 reflected the government’s attempts to address economic needs while focusing on reducing net migration. While some of the changes above have already been implemented, many aspects are still in the early stages of rollout, and new additions may arise as the Labour government evolve their immigration and economic policies. These developments make it essential for anyone impacted to stay up to date and seek legal advice from qualified immigration lawyers. Whether navigating digitalisation or managing increased migration costs, staying informed will remain crucial in this evolving landscape, which is likely to continue into 2025.