The United Kingdom has tightened its immigration rules for foreign graduates, making it harder for them to bring their families with them. Starting in January 2024, most foreign students who complete their degrees in the UK will no longer be able to sponsor their spouses or children for visas, unless they earn at least £27,000 a year or work in a shortage occupation.
This is part of the UK’s new points-based immigration system, which was introduced after Britain left the European Union in 2020. The system aims to attract skilled workers and reduce low-skilled migration, but critics say it is unfair and discriminatory.
According to the UK Home Office, the new rules will ensure that “those who come to the UK to work can support themselves and contribute to our economy, while not placing undue pressure on taxpayer-funded public services”. The Home Office also said that the rules will not affect the rights of EU citizens who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020, or those who have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
However, the new rules have sparked outrage and disappointment among many foreign graduates and their families, who fear they will be separated or forced to leave the UK. Some have launched a petition to the UK Parliament, calling for the reversal of the policy and the extension of the Graduate Route visa to include dependants. The petition has gathered over 18,000 signatures so far but needs 100,000 to be considered for a debate.
The Graduate Route visa, which was launched in July 2021, allows foreign students who have completed a degree in the UK to stay and work for two or three years, depending on their level of qualification. The visa does not require a job offer or a sponsor and allows graduates to gain work experience and switch to other visa categories. However, the visa does not allow graduates to bring their dependants with them, unless they meet the income or occupation criteria.
The new rules have also raised concerns among Zimbabweans who are hoping to migrate to the UK to take up better-paying job opportunities in the rich country’s health and social care sector. The UK has a chronic shortage of health and social care workers and has recently announced a new Health and Care Visa to attract foreign professionals in this field. The visa offers fast-track entry, reduced fees, and dedicated support to applicants.
However, Zimbabweans who want to apply for this visa will need to have a job offer from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) or an approved employer and meet the English language and salary requirements. They will also need to pay a health surcharge of £624 per year, which will increase to £940 in October 2024. Moreover, they will not be able to bring their families with them, unless they earn more than £27,000 a year.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries that suffers from a brain drain of health workers, who leave for better opportunities abroad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zimbabwe had only 1.6 doctors and 7.2 nurses per 10,000 people in 2018, well below the WHO’s recommended threshold of 22.8 health workers per 10,000 people. The country also faces a severe economic crisis, with high inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
Many Zimbabweans see the UK as a desirable destination, as it offers higher salaries, better working conditions, and a stable currency. However, the new immigration rules may deter some of them from pursuing their dreams, or force them to choose between their careers and their families.
The UK government has said that it will review the immigration system regularly and make adjustments as needed. It has also said that it values the contribution of foreign graduates and workers and that it wants to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world. However, it remains to be seen how the new rules will affect the lives and aspirations of thousands of foreign graduates and their families, as well as the UK’s health and social care sector.
Source: Bulawayo24 News
