Latest news with #ImmigrationWhitePaper
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
30% drop in student placements amid global visa crackdown? IDP rings alarm
Student placement company IDP Education Ltd expects student placements to drop by as much as 30% this financial year, while language testing volumes are forecast to slip by up to 20%. The company said on Tuesday that it would review its costs as a result. What's going on? 'While elections have now been held in all key destination markets, policy uncertainty and negative rhetoric continues, while economic uncertainty has increased,' said IDP. 'Governments in all key destination countries are currently seeking to temporarily reduce migration levels, and economic and geopolitical uncertainty has increased,' the statement added. IDP said this environment is making it harder for international students in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US. • In the UK, the Immigration Policy White Paper released on May 12, 2025, has raised concerns about further restrictions on student immigration • In Australia and Canada, policies remain tight, with further changes expected • In the US, the environment for international students has become more challenging, with visa rejections rising and new visa appointments paused UK adjusts student visa policies The UK still allows the Graduate Route, though dependants are no longer permitted on student visas. IDP reported a 9% drop in visa issuance compared to last year. The Immigration White Paper recommends higher salary thresholds and English language requirements for skilled worker visas, as well as a 6% levy on universities for enrolling international students. It also proposes reducing the Graduate Route from 24 months to 18 months. Australia places caps and raises fees In Australia, proposed permanent student caps were not passed, but visa processing has slowed as institutions reach their 80% 'soft cap' limits under Ministerial Direction 111. Visa fees rose from A$710 to A$1,600 in July 2024, with further increases on the table. The government has also limited onshore applications, meaning more students must apply offshore. Graduate visas now have an age cap of 35, down from 50. IDP said these changes have slowed offer turnaround times and affected enrolments. Canada cuts work permits and student caps In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) has been restricted since November 2024 to students in high-demand occupations. Fast-track visa schemes such as the Student Direct Stream ended late last year. Spousal open work permits are now only available to partners of students in fields like medicine and engineering. IDP said visa issuance has plummeted by 65% in Canada this year, with a 10% cut in study permit numbers planned for 2025. US visa pauses and Chinese student revocations In the US, IDP said visa rejections have jumped sharply, and new visa appointments were halted temporarily on May 27, 2025, to allow for expanded social media checks. The US government has also revoked visas for some Chinese students linked to critical fields or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. IDP noted a 27% drop in US visa issuance compared to the previous year. Key figures for the year so far, according to IDP: • Australia: visa issuance down 10% • United Kingdom: visa issuance down 9% • Canada: visa issuance down 65% • United States: visa issuance down 27% • Student placement volumes down 28-30% • Language testing volumes down 18-20% 'Challenging immigration conditions continue to weigh on demand,' IDP said. The bigger picture: Global education faces a crossroad Against this backdrop, Indian students are turning to new destinations like Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Russia. India's education ministry data showed the number of Indian students in Germany rose 68% to 34,702 in 2024, up from 20,684 in 2022. New Zealand saw a 354% jump, from 1,605 to 7,297. Ireland saw a 49% rise, and Russia 59%.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
UK plans 10-year settlement wait for immigrants: What it means for them
Kamala, an Indian immigrant, moved to the UK in 2021 as a skilled worker in Oxfordshire. She has dedicated her efforts to finding new treatments for diseases with no current cure. She pays the additional rate of tax and has built up many professional and personal links in the country. But the sudden plan to double the qualifying period for settlement from five to 10 years has left her future in question. This concern was brought to the House of Commons on Monday by Olly Glover, a Liberal Democrat MP, as Parliament debated the UK's new Immigration White Paper, published on June 12, 2025. The proposals cover work, study and settlement categories and include: < Doubling the settlement period from five to 10 years < Extending English language requirements to more applicants, including dependants < Reducing the Graduate Route visa from two years to 18 months < Raising salary thresholds for skilled worker visas < Removing the Health and Care Worker visa for new applicants Olly Glover said, 'The sudden increase to the qualifying period from five to 10 years has plunged hardworking people like Kamala into uncertainty about their future.' In response, Seema Malhotra, UK immigration minister, said it is too soon to confirm whether the longer settlement period would apply to people already living in the UK. 'We recognise how important they are to people and will listen to what people tell us in the consultation. After that we will provide details of how the scheme will work, including in respect of any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK,' said Malhotra. Malhotra added, 'Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen, and it is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the country. The White Paper proposes an expansion of the points-based system to increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period based on their contributions to the UK economy and society.' Chris Vince, MP, spoke about Emily, a carer, and the impact these plans would have on people like her. 'Will the consultation on the earned settlement scheme take into account the hugely important role that carers, sometimes from overseas, do to support the most vulnerable in our communities?' he asked. Malhotra replied, 'Indeed, carers, including those who have come from overseas, do important work to support us, our families and our communities. My hon. Friend will recognise that, as I have said, it is important for us to ensure that people's voices can be heard in the consultation. We recognise that settlement is an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and families. Under the current system, people primarily qualify for settlement on the basis of their length of time in the UK, but we also believe that people should be contributing to the economy and society before they gain settled status in our country.' Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would tighten its immigration system, including extending the minimum residence period for migrants to claim settlement to 10 years. Malhotra said in the Commons, 'We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year. We will be providing details of how the scheme will work after that, including on any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK.' The Home Office has said it will set up a points-based system so people can shorten the 10-year timeline if they show a 'real and lasting contribution' to the economy and society. But officials have not shared how these points will be awarded. Meanwhile, Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh stressed on focussing on skilled talent. He said businesses in his area rely on attracting top talent. 'We need to attract worldwide top talent for some key sectors, many of which are based in Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, so that we remain globally competitive, but businesses tell me that long visa processing times work against that. Now that we are seeing lower levels of immigration, will the government be reprioritising resources so we see faster processing of skilled worker visas?' he asked. Malhotra said, 'Visa processing times can vary based on the type of visa and where people are applying from. However, for most applications, even those made outside the UK, decisions are usually made within three weeks. He will also be aware that we are looking at how to reform our immigration system as a result of the record levels of net migration under the previous Government, and making sure that we focus our immigration on the needs of our economy is a priority for this Government.' In the year ending March 2025, the UK processed more than 2.1 million visit visas, more than 190,000 work visas and more than 22,000 health and social care visas, according to official data.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour is normalising our new age of mass migration
The Government is bound to be pleased with the new net migration statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Numbers have fallen by around 40 per cent, to 431,000 last year. After the media firestorm over his 'island of strangers' speech, Keir Starmer might well feel that he's fulfilled his promise to 'finally take back control' of the borders. That would be premature, however. Net migration at that level is still a six-figure increase on the levels before the 2016 Brexit referendum, which was viewed as intolerable then. At this rate, Britain is still receiving the equivalent of the population of Bristol every year and would have added an extra 2 million people by 2029. The gross, as opposed to net, figure shows that nearly 1 million immigrants have arrived in the last recorded year. If the Prime Minister really thinks that mass immigration caused 'incalculable' damage to Britain, then he must think that it is still unacceptably high. The population of foreign-born people in Britain is at a record high of 11.4 million, with Karl Williams of the Centre For Policy Studies pointing out that a staggering 1 in 25 of people in Britain arrived here in the last four years. The number of immigrants granted indefinite leave to remain has increased, meaning that the share of the population with foreign origins will grow. That is a historically unprecedented demographic shift, which is already reshaping the country culturally. With immigration flows that high, integration will also prove difficult, if not impossible. In addition, with the number of new houses built only enough for around half of the new arrivals, the cost of housing will continue to increase. In truth, this reduction is largely a result of restrictions brought in by Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick in the dying days of the last Conservative government. Although there have been more restrictions floated by the current Labour Government in their Immigration White Paper, these have yet to be enacted, and probably won't be for months to come. Plans for a Youth Mobility Visa with the EU, especially if it allows dependents, could easily see numbers begin to creep back up. The Prime Minister therefore needs to bring in greater restrictions soon. He can take heart that these dramatic reductions were the result of sensible restrictions on some dependents and an increase in the skilled visa salary requirement. With the new ONS figures showing that 81,000 came here on work visas but were outnumbered by their 132,000 dependents, as well as large numbers coming on family visas or student visas, further restrictions could lower numbers without affecting how many workers despite the predictions of critics, the large drop in net migration hasn't produced the economic problems they foretold. Greater restrictions will also be necessary because the net migration figures for prior years are often subsequently revised upwards. In 2023 net migration turned out to be 22 per cent higher and in 2022 it was 44 per cent higher than initially calculated. If that proves to be the case again, then the Prime Minister's promise to reduce immigration 'significantly' will end up looking very hollow. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Net Migration Halves in a Year, But Still Far Higher Than Pre-Pandemic: ONS
Net migration nearly halved in the course of one year, but still remains far higher than in the previous years before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the year to December 2024, the difference between the number of people moving to the UK and leaving was an estimated 431,000, down 49.9 percent from 860,000 the year before, the largest numerical drop in any 12-month period. The ONS's director of population statistics, Mary Gregory, said on Thursday that the decline was largely driven by a falling number of immigrants coming to the UK to work and study, 'particularly student dependants.' This followed policy change from early 2024 by the previous Conservative government, which put in place Long-Term Immigration Falls The ONS said that the largest drop in immigration was from non-EU nationals coming here to work, falling 108,000, or 49 percent. Immigration for study purposes declined by 17 percent. Long-term immigration also fell to 948,000, down 28.5 percent from 1,326,000 in the previous year, the first time in three years the figure was below 1 million. Emigration also rose by around 11 percent to an estimated 517,000, up from 466,000 on the previous year. Gregory said that was especially owing to 'people leaving who originally came on study visas once pandemic travel restrictions to the UK were eased.' Related Stories 5/12/2025 5/14/2025 The impact of Conservative policy on dependant visas saw an 86 percent (105,000) reduction in study dependants, and a 35 percent (81,000) decrease in the number of work dependants. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that the fall in net migration is 'welcome after the figures quadrupled to nearly a million in the last parliament.' 'Our Immigration White Paper sets out radical reforms to further reduce net migration,' she added. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp He added that the figures were 'still far too high and need to go down a lot further.' Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels While these figures are a dramatic decline on 2022 and 2023, they are still far higher than the pre-pandemic era, and well above the pre-Brexit peak of roughly 300,000. Net migration was broadly flat in the years leading up to the lockdown, standing at 208,000 in 2017, 276,000 in 2018, and 184,000 in 2019. They then fell sharply in 2020 to 93,000, when travel restrictions were put in place. Net migration then rose to 484,000 in 2021, 873,000 in 2022, and dropped slightly to 860,000 in 2023. Estimated net migration to the UK. PA Media The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford noted that this 'recording-breaking decline' was possible 'primarily because numbers had previously been so high.' 'The declines reflect a period of policy liberalisation post-Brexit which saw net migration reach a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, followed by restrictions in early 2024, both under the previous government,' the Migration Observatory said. For scale of how large a number current net migration figures still are, political commentator Matt Goodwin Migration Observatory researcher Ben Brindle said that net migration figures will continue to fall, as the previous government's restrictions 'are not yet fully visible in the data.' 'Last week's policy proposals should reduce migration further, though by a small amount. Because these declines will not necessarily take us to particularly low levels, by historical standards,' he added. 'Relatively Small' Economic Impact The Labour government has maintained the previous administration's visa rules, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announcing further measures to bring down legal immigration in the White Paper These include ending the recruitment of overseas care workers, raising the skills requirements for visas to degree level, and charging universities a levy on international students. Migration Observatory Director Madeleine Sumption said the economic impact of this fall in migrant workers is 'actually likely to be relatively small.' She added, 'That's because the groups that have driven the decline, such as study and work dependants, are neither the highest skilled, highest-paid migrants who make substantial contributions to tax revenues, nor the most disadvantaged groups that require substantial support.' Similarly, Downing Street indicated that it was not concerned that a fall in migrant workers would lead to a workforce shortage. The prime minister's official spokesman said, 'We are, for the first time, setting out a strategy to properly bring together a domestic skills strategy together with an immigration strategy.' 'So we will be reducing our reliance on overseas labour by training up our domestic workforce and ensuring, as the public rightly expects, that our border system is secure,' he added. PA Media contributed to this report.
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Asylum applications hit new high while backlog falls
A total of 109,343 people applied for asylum in the year to March 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001. The number is up 17% from 93,150 in the year ending March 2024, according to figures published by the Home Office. The previous record was 108,138 in the 12 months to December 2024. Migrants who arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats accounted for 33% of the total number of people claiming asylum in the year to March. Pakistani was the most common nationality among asylum applicants in 2024/25, accounting for 11,048 people or 10.1% of the total. This is up from 7,003 in 2023/24, when it was the third most common nationality (7.5% of the total). Afghan was the second most common nationality among people claiming asylum in the year to March (8,069 people, 7.4% of the total), down from 9,738 (10.5%) in 2023/24 when it was the most common nationality. Along with Pakistan, the largest increase in asylum claims in 2024/25 came from Syrian nationals, which stood at 6,175 (5.6% of the total), up from 4,232 (4.5%) in 2023/24. The figures also show there were 109,536 people waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK at the end of March 2025. This is down 12% from 124,802 at the end of December 2024 and is the lowest number since December 2021. The total peaked at 175,457 at the end of June 2023, which was the highest figure since current records began in 2010. The number of people waiting more than six months for an initial decision stood at 67,373 at the end of March, down from 73,866 at the end of December and well below the recent peak of 139,961 in June 2023. Separate figures published by the Home Office on Thursday show the number of quarterly enforced returns of people who do not have a right to stay in the UK fell slightly from 2,365 in October-December 2024 to 2,312 in January-March 2025. Both of these figures are higher than for any other quarter since 2018. The Home Office is responsible for returning people to their country of origin if they do not have a legal right to remain in the UK. There are three types of returns: enforced returns, which are carried out directly by the Home Office; voluntary returns, who are people who were facing deportation but left of their own accord, sometimes with support from the Home Office; and port returns, who are people refused entry to the UK and who have subsequently departed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'We have substantially increased immigration enforcement, taking strong action to return more foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers who have no right to be in the UK. 'The work of Immigration Enforcement teams to substantially increase illegal working raids, returns and deportations is an important part of strengthening our border security. 'As part of the Immigration White Paper reforms, we will strengthen the rules so that more foreign national offenders can be returned.' There were 482 enforced and voluntary returns in the three months to March of migrants who arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats. This is down from 558 in the previous quarter. Some 2,240 migrants who arrived in small boats were returned during the year to March, down from 2,316 in the previous 12 months. Of the 2,240 returns in 2024/25, 80% were Albanian nationals, a similar proportion to 2023/24 (88%). There were 5,154 returns of foreign national offenders in the year to March, the highest for any 12-month period since the year ending June 2019.
