zeeshan khan
Significant immigration reforms have been proposed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the goal of lowering the number of lawful migrants entering the country.
The Labour Government’s plans to curb the UK’s steadily increasing net migration have been outlined in the much awaited Immigration White Paper. By lowering dependency on immigration procedures and enhancing local worker recruiting and training, the goal is to control immigration levels.
The main changes are briefly listed below. Over the next few days, we will provide more commentary on the real-world ramifications for customers.
key Changes
- Settlement and British Citizenship: Instead of the current five years, it will now require ten years to be eligible for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain, or “ILR”) for all points-based pathways.
- Employees: the Immigration Skills Surcharge will rise by 32%, and the necessary skill levels will be restored to RQF level 6 along with higher pay thresholds.
- Students: your graduate visa will now only last 18 months instead of 24.
- Family Visas: The government promises to provide new family rules before the year is out for British citizens, permanent residents, and refugees who want to bring their relatives to the UK.
- Ability & Development Visas: There are encouraging plans for “very high talent routes” to draw in skilled workers who will significantly boost the UK economy and vital industries.
- English Language: For primary candidates and dependents, there will be new and improved English language criteria in a number of immigration categories.
What time do these modifications occur?
At the moment, this is unclear. As previously stated, the Immigration White Paper calls for the implementation of an updated family visa policy by the end of this year, which could result in the earlier introduction of some of the aforementioned suggestions.
Transitional plans
People should be able to depend on the conditions as they were in place when they arrived in the UK because the Home Office typically does not apply changes made to the Immigration Rules retroactively.
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Nevertheless, we do see room for some transitional measures to be implemented given the government’s goal of lowering net migration, and we will be closely watching this.
As soon as the specifics of these modifications are made public, we will keep you informed.
