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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made sweeping changes to the immigration system intended to “take back control of our borders”, and head off political challenges from the anti-immigration right. Here are the main policy announcements.
Work routes
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Closure of the care visa route within months, with providers expected to hire from the pool of international care workers already in the UK while improving pay and conditions to attract domestic workers.
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Skilled work visas to be restricted to graduate-level jobs, with “time-limited” access granted for roles deemed critical to the UK’s industrial strategy, and a sectoral plan in place to train and hire British workers. The Immigration Salary List will be abolished.
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Faster and simpler “high talent” routes, including for scientists and designers, research interns in AI, and businesses establishing a presence in the UK.
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A 32 per cent increase in the “immigration skills charge” paid by employers who hire skilled workers, with additional funds used to upskill UK workers in priority sectors. Incentives or penalties to be explored to ensure employers invest in training.
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Restrictions on bringing dependants with higher salary thresholds for all visa holders seeking to bring family to the UK. Lower-skilled workers on the “temporary shortage list” of occupations will face tighter limits.
Students and universities
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International students will still be able to work in the UK after graduation but only for 18 months, down from two years currently.
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A potential levy on universities’ overseas student income, to be reinvested in the higher education and skills system.
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Tougher compliance requirements for universities that sponsor international students, including a new duty to consider local interests.
Asylum, settlement and citizenship
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Making it easier to refuse entry or asylum to people who have broken the law, while strengthening powers to arrest and deport criminals.
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Digital identity for all overseas citizens through the implementation of eVisas.
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Migrants will have to wait 10 years before they can apply for UK settlement, instead of five years, with a proposed fast track for those who can show their “contribution to the economy and society” through a “points-based system”. There will still be a five-year settlement path for dependants.
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Tougher English language requirements for all visa routes, with higher standards expected of skilled workers and family members expected to show progress over time.
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A new family policy to be set out by the end of the year, covering all UK residents, with clear rules on relationships, language skills, financial resources.
Impact on net migration
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There is no set target for overall net migration but the government expects the measures to reduce the number of people arriving by 98,000 per year, within a range of 82,000 to 113,000.
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Restricting work visas to graduate jobs will cut inflows by about 40,000 with an additional reduction of 7,000 as a result of closing the care route.
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A shorter graduate work visa, tougher compliance requirements for universities, and a new levy on international fee income could cut inflows by 31,000 in total.
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The 10-year route to settlement could cut inflows by 18,000 a year.
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An expansion of “high talent” routes would add just 3,000 to inflows.
