Overseas workers moving to the UK will have to earn £38,700 from today (THURS) in a dramatic 48% hike to curb legal migration.
Rules allowing migrants to be 20% less than the going rate for a job have also been axed.
The changes are being made to cut the numbers of people legally arriving in Britain for work by 300,000 after official figures showed record levels of net migration of 745,000.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “It’s time to turn off the taps and end the flow of cheap workers from abroad. Mass migration is unsustainable and it’s simply not fair. It undercuts the wages of hard-working people who are just trying to make ends meet.
“We are refocusing our immigration system to prioritise the brightest and best who have the skills our economy needs, while reducing overall numbers.
“I promised the British people an immigration system that serves their interests, and to bring numbers down – these tough measures deliver on that commitment. Employers must also play their part and put British workers first.”
Net migration – the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving Britain – reached a record 745,000 in 2022.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to “do what is necessary” after the numbers were released last year.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest the UK population could reach nearly 74 million by 2036, up from the latest estimate of 67 million, with net migration adding around six million people.
Last month, changes were introduced to stop foreign care workers bringing relatives with them to the UK.
Care providers also now must register with the Care Quality Commission if they are sponsoring migrants after visa applications were based on jobs that do not exist.
The minimum salary threshold for people coming to the UK on skilled worker visas today (THURS) rises from £26,200 to £38,700.
A Shortage Occupation List used to identify jobs where migrant workers need to be hired to fill vacancies has now ended.
It had migrants to be paid 20% less than the going rate for that job in some key areas.
A new Immigration Salary List has been drawn up by the independent Migration Advisory Committee.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “For too long we have relied on labour from abroad when there is great talent right here in the UK.
“I’m determined to give jobseekers the support they need to get on and get ahead through our £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan, while our network of Jobcentres are providing apprenticeships, bootcamps, and skills programmes to help even more people into work.
“The changes coming into force today coupled with my next generation of welfare reforms will unlock the huge potential of the great British workforce.”
