21 Feb 2025
Bangladesh is the fourth largest expat community in the world. In the UK, there are about 600,000 Bangladeshi expats. These expats play a big role in supporting their families and the economy in Bangladesh. Most of them earn and send money to Bangladesh from the UK to their families awaiting back home.
In December 2023, the UK government announced new rules to reduce immigration. The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, introduced these changes in a “five-point plan.” These rules came into effect in early 2024. They have a considerable impact on many expats, including the Bangladeshi community. This article will explain the five key changes and how they affect Bangladeshi expats.
Here are the major changes to the immigration rule of the UK.
One of the major changes to the immigration rules directly affects social care workers. As of 11 March 2024, newly arriving social care workers can no longer bring their dependants (partners and children) on their visas.
For Bangladeshi expats in the social care sector, this change is considerable. Many professionals in this field move to the UK for better job opportunities, hoping to reunite with their families. However, the new rules make it more difficult for families to stay together.
The second major change affects all Skilled Worker visa applicants. Starting 4 April 2024, the minimum salary required for this visa increased from £26,200 to £38,700. This increase can make it harder for Bangladeshi professionals who want to work in the UK. Before this change, a salary of £26,200 was enough to get sponsorship from an employer for many jobs. Now, new expats must ensure their salaries meet the higher threshold.
For those already living and working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, this change may impact their visa renewal or job changes. They must be aware of the new salary requirement when considering these options.
The minimum income needed to sponsor a spouse or partner visa has increased. It used to be £18,600, but on 11 April 2024, it increased to £29,000. The government also plans to raise it again.
This change affects many Bangladeshi expats who want to bring their spouses to the UK. The higher income requirement could create financial challenges for those who don’t earn enough, making it harder for families to reunite with their loved ones.
The UK government also reviewed the Graduate visa scheme, which allows international students to remain in the UK for two years after completing their studies at British universities.
This is positive news for Bangladeshi students graduating from UK universities. The Graduate visa provides an opportunity to gain work experience in the UK without needing sponsorship from an employer. This route can help students get permanent employment after completing their studies.
The government updated the list of eligible jobs by replacing the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List, which started on 4 April 2024. The new list includes fewer jobs that qualify for reduced salary requirements.
For Bangladeshi expats, this could make it harder to get sponsorship under certain job categories. With fewer professions eligible, some expats may need to find other jobs or explore different ways to immigrate or stay in the UK.
UK immigration policies have a big impact on expats. Higher income requirements make it harder for many people to qualify for visas. Restrictions on bringing family members cause emotional stress, making it difficult to settle in the UK. Fewer job options also limit career opportunities for expats.
While the Graduate visa provides a way for students to work, these new policies make the situation for expats more complicated and challenging. This uncertainty can create additional stress and difficulty for those seeking to build their lives in the UK.
Despite all these complicated changes, sending money back home remains essential. ACE Money Transfer provides a reliable way for Bangladeshi expats to make a money transfer to Bangladesh from the UK. It offers low fees, competitive exchange rates, and fast transfers. Download the ACE app now to help your family while managing your own life in the UK.
Expats can stay informed by following official government websites, subscribing to newsletters from immigration advisory services, and joining community groups that provide updates.
Exchange rates can affect the amount of money received in Bangladesh. Using services that offer competitive rates can help families receive the maximum benefit from each transfer.
Yes, many universities offer scholarships and financial aid to international students, including those from Bangladesh.
Expats should compare money transfer services for fees and exchange rates. Using reliable services like ACE Money Transfer makes it cheaper to transfer money to Bangladesh.
The long-term prospects for Bangladeshi expats in the UK are still positive. They can find job opportunities and improve their skills through education.
