UK Government Proposes Major Overhaul Of Migration Policies

The UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has pledged to reduce migration numbers by tightening the rules for those allowed to enter the UK.

He promised that his new plan will reduce net migration by the end of this parliament in 2029.

Net migration refers to the difference between the number of people entering a country (immigrants) and the number leaving it (emigrants) over a specific period, typically a year.

The details of the plan have been published in a white paper, a government document outlining policy proposals before they are introduced as legislation. Some of the major highlights from the white paper are:

1. All visa routes will now require a set level of English. Dependants must also show basic English skills, which is not currently required. The required level varies by visa. For skilled workers, it will increase from intermediate to upper-intermediate. To extend visas, applicants must show progress in their English proficiency.

2. Under new rules, the wait for settled status in the UK will increase from five to ten years. However, key workers like doctors and nurses may still qualify after five years. A new visa will also allow bereaved parents of British or settled children to gain settled status immediately. Settled status gives people the right to live, work, and access services in the UK permanently, with the option to later apply for citizenship.

3. People can qualify for citizenship sooner by contributing to UK society and the economy, similar to settled status. The Life in the UK test will also be reformed.

4. The care worker visa, introduced to address a shortage, will be abolished. A transition period until 2028 will allow visa extensions and switches for those already in the UK.

5. To qualify for a skilled worker visa, applicants must now have at least an undergraduate degree, up from A-levels. There will be stricter rules for recruiting overseas workers in critical skills shortages and efforts to encourage more training in the UK. Highly skilled individuals in government-identified fields will receive preferential access through routes like the global talent visa. A limited number of refugees will also be allowed to apply for employment via the skilled worker route.

6. Graduate visa holders will only be allowed to stay in the UK for 18 months after completing their studies, down from two years for degree graduates and three years for PhD graduates. Sponsoring institutions will face stricter requirements, with underperforming ones put on action plans and limits on new student recruitment. Sponsors, including governments, universities, and companies, must cover tuition and living costs.

7. The Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan humanitarian visa routes will remain, but the government will review sponsorship arrangements to ensure businesses, universities, and community groups can sustainably support refugees.

8. To combat modern slavery, the government will reconsider the visa that allows foreign domestic workers to visit the UK with their employer for up to six months.

9. Companies wishing to bring workers from abroad must first invest in the UK. To prevent exploitation, the government will explore making it easier for low-skilled workers on temporary visas to switch between licensed sponsors.

10. An increasing number of asylum seekers have used Article 8 of the Human Rights Act to prevent deportation. However, new legislation will clarify that the government and parliament decide who can remain in the UK and outline how Article 8 applies across immigration routes to reduce “exceptional” cases.

11. The Home Office will gain broader powers to enforce removal and revoke visas for a wider range of crimes where offenders did not serve jail time abroad. Deportation thresholds will be reviewed, considering factors beyond sentence length, with a stronger focus on violence against women and girls.

More: Sky News