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Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK PM Keir Starmer tightens immigration: higher job bar, shorter student stay, tougher deportation in new visa reset; here's what we know
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a wide-ranging reform of the immigration system with a new white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The 82-page document signals a clear departure from previous approaches, as Starmer's Labour government seeks to address rising migration and public pressure following its landslide win last July. The Prime Minister said net migration had spiralled out of control under past policies, increasing from 224,000 in 2019 to 906,000 in 2023 almost matching the population of Birmingham. He stated the reforms are designed to reduce migration, end dependence on cheap foreign labour, and build a workforce through British investment. 'Migration will fall': Ending cheap labour, raising skill bar One of the key reforms is the decision to raise the skilled worker threshold to a degree-level qualification (RQF 6). The existing Immigration Salary List, which allowed lower wages in select sectors, will be scrapped. Only occupations facing long-term shortages with official workforce strategies will now qualify under the points-based system. A new Labour Market Evidence Group will be established to assess workforce demands. The government has also announced a halt on new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Those already working in the UK under existing visas can extend them until 2028 under a transition period. Starmer emphasised that the reforms aim to shift focus from short-term foreign hiring to long-term training and employment of local workers. Tighter rules for students, families, and deportations The new framework brings significant changes for international students. The post-study visa duration will be reduced from two years to 18 months. Educational institutions sponsoring overseas students will now face strict compliance checks and could have recruitment limits. Family and private life immigration rules will also be streamlined. A major change is in deportation policy. Under the new rules, even those convicted of minor offences, not just prison sentences can face deportation. The reforms also promise stricter consequences for crimes like violence against women and girls. Crackdown on abuse, illegal entry, and longer citizenship process To prevent abuse of the system, the UK government plans to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on countries that repeatedly misuse the UK's immigration pathways. Asylum rules will be tightened, especially for those seeking refuge after arriving in the UK, without visible changes in their home countries. Sponsors of migrant workers and students who violate rules will face higher fines. The reforms also propose that the path to citizenship will now take 10 years double the current duration. A points-based citizenship model is under development, with more details expected later this year. Focus remains on global talent in key sectors While the overall approach is tighter, the UK government is still encouraging entry of high-skilled individuals. The white paper highlights plans to boost sectors such as science and technology through accelerated visa processes. This includes an expanded Global Talent visa scheme and similar programmes aimed at attracting global experts.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UK announces measures to tighten immigration policies amid rising voter anger
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, May 12, revealed a wide-ranging overhaul of the United Kingdom's immigration system. The Immigration White Paper , titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, introduced sweeping changes to work, student, family, and asylum visa routes. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare The reforms have been announced as Starmer's Labour government , which won last July in a landslide win, is increasingly under pressure to secure the UK's borders as it faces public disgruntlement and political pushback. The 82-page paper marked the UK government's formal break from past immigration policies. He said the previous policies had allowed net migration to spiral out of control. Between 2019 and 2023, the net migration in the UK rose from 224,000 to 906,000. This quadrupled and is equivalent to the population of Birmingham. Starmer said their plan means migration will fall, adding that the UK must end their reliance on cheap labour and rather invest in British workers. Live Events Major changes across UK immigration routes Under the proposed framework, the skilled worker threshold will be raised to a degree-level qualification (RQF 6), BBC reported. The Immigration Salary List—which enabled recruitment at lower wages—will be scrapped. Moreover, only jobs with long-term shortages and workforce strategies will qualify under the points-based system. Additionally, a new Labour Market Evidence Group will be assessing sector needs based on data, while employers will be urged to expand domestic training. The UK will be halting new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Visa extensions for those who are already in Britain will be permitted until 2028 during a transition period. Also Read : Who is Edan Alexander? American-Israeli hostage set to be freed by Hamas after more than 500 days in Gaza Students and families affected The new immigration paper presented will be impacting the international students, who plan to stay in the UK after their education. The post-study stay has been reduced from two years to 18 months. Moreover, the education providers sponsoring overseas students will face stringent compliance rules and possible recruitment caps. As per local media reports, family and private life immigration rules will also be streamlined, and deportation rules will be revised. Earlier, only those foreign nationals who were sentenced to prison could be deported. However, after new amendments, any immigrant convicted of any offence may face deportation. Crimes like violence against women and girls will likely see stringent exceptions. Tackling abuse, illegal entry The UK government also intends to levy new sanctions and visa restrictions on countries that continually misuse the UK's immigration system. Asylum seekers will have tighter conditions if the situation in their home countries do not change and they seek asylum after arrival. Fines for the sponsors of rule-violating migrant workers and students will rise as well. Also Read : American Idol 2025 contestants: Who got eliminated in the latest round? No points for guessing Longer path to citizenship, focus on talent The settlement qualifying period will double to 10 years and the UK government will be introducing points-based system citizenship, while more details will be released later this year. Despite overall tightening, the UK seeks to increase access for leading global talent. Science and technology sectors, for example, could be boosted by accelerated entry routes including expansion of the Global Talent visa and other high-skilled schemes. FAQs What is the UK Immigration White Paper, and why was it published? The Immigration White Paper sets out the Labour government's plans to cut net migration, simplify visa categories, and take back control of immigration. Who will be worst hit by the new immigration regulations? The reforms will affect foreign workers with low skills (particularly in social care), international students, and potential settlers. Yet, highly skilled professionals in strategic fields can look forward to eased restrictions.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK introduces stricter immigration rules: Key changes explained
Listen to article The UK government has announced sweeping reforms to its immigration system, aimed at reducing dependency on foreign labour while tightening control over visa pathways for workers, students and families. Outlined in a new white paper, the Home Office confirmed that the qualifying period for both settlement and citizenship will be extended to ten years. Officials said the reforms are designed to ensure migrants contribute meaningfully to British society before gaining long-term residency rights. The white paper outlines stricter measures to address immigration abuse, including tougher asylum rules with heightened scrutiny of claims from countries where conditions remain unchanged. Sponsors found misusing the system will face penalties, and efforts will be made to secure greater cooperation from foreign governments in upholding the UK's immigration standards. The Home Office also plans to reform deportation policies, aiming to remove all foreign nationals convicted of crimes, regardless of whether they received prison sentences. Special attention will be given to offences involving violence against women and girls, with deportation criteria under review. Additionally, the government intends to expand English language requirements across more visa categories, including for dependants, to promote stronger integration into British society. A key change includes raising the skills threshold for work visas back to RQF Level 6, the equivalent of graduate-level qualifications. The immigration salary list, which previously allowed lower salary thresholds in shortage roles, will be abolished. To curb what it calls over-reliance on international hiring, the government will restrict access to the points-based system to a 'Temporary Shortage List' of occupations. Employers seeking to sponsor visas will need an approved workforce strategy, backed by data from a new Labour Market Evidence Group. The recruitment of overseas workers into adult social care will also be phased out. New applications under the care visa route will end, with in-country visa extensions allowed until 2028. The government cited concerns of exploitation and wage suppression in the sector. International student policy will also tighten. The post-study work period will be cut to 18 months from two years, and educational institutions with compliance issues will face restrictions on enrolling new students. In family migration, proposed legislation will aim to simplify rules and address delays caused by legal challenges based on the right to family life. The paper includes additional provisions to enforce immigration laws more effectively. These include stronger deportation mechanisms for foreign national offenders and penalties for sponsors misusing the system. English language requirements will be expanded to more visa categories, including dependants, in a move to support integration. The government said the measures reflect a broader effort to create a fair, controlled system that supports economic growth without overburdening public services.
