Tory proposal: Migrant workers must earn £38,700 for visa

New rules for migrant workers and spouse entry proposed by senior Tory

All migrant workers should earn at least £38,700 to get a visa, according to a senior Tory. Leader Kemi Badenoch is also pushing for tighter spouse entry rules to prevent marriages for residency permits.

Changes to immigration policies

In a bid to reduce net migration, the Conservatives are considering applying the £38,700 minimum salary requirement for skilled-worker visas to all foreign labor. This would impact sectors like healthcare and construction, as well as individuals seeking family visas for spouses.

Proposed measures

The Tories are looking to raise the threshold for family visas to £38,700 from the current £29,000, with additional restrictions on age requirements for couples and a ban on visas for first-cousin marriages. They also plan to cap the number of individuals coming from a single country at seven percent.

Response and criticism

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp supports the proposed changes, citing the need to address high numbers of family visas. However, a Home Office source criticized the Tories for not reforming immigration and asylum policies during their 14 years in power, leaving the system in chaos.