Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveils new immigration policy

The Prime Minister’s government has today published a new immigration white paper outlining proposals to ensure migration continues to decline from the high levels of recent years and to reduce overseas recruitment in favour of training UK workers.

The 76-page immigration white paper presents several key proposals, including the closure of the social care visa route to overseas recruitment, increased English language requirements for visa holders and dependants, and an extension of the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

Here are the key policy announcements:

Worker Routes

• The threshold for Skilled Worker visas will be raised back to RQF Level 6 and above. The current threshold of RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) and above has been in place since 2020. Salary thresholds will also increase.
• A 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge will be imposed on employers seeking to hire overseas talent. This is the first increase since its introduction in 2017. The additional funds are earmarked for upskilling UK workers.
• The social care visa route will be closed to new applications from abroad. Visa extensions for those already in the UK will be permitted until 2028.
• Dependants for lower-skilled workers on the temporary shortage occupation list will be restricted, and salary thresholds for all visa holders seeking to bring dependants will be increased.

Student Routes

• Stronger compliance requirements will be introduced that all education providers or ‘sponsors’ must meet to recruit international students.
• The period during which graduates can remain in the UK after completing their studies will be reduced to 18 months.
• The White Paper also references the potential introduction of a levy on higher education providers’ income from overseas students, with proceeds reinvested into the higher education and skills system.

Family, Settlement & Citizenship

• The standard qualifying period for settlement will increase from five to ten years. Provisions will be made to allow individuals to shorten this period based on their contributions to the economy and society.
• Changes related to eligibility for citizenship will be introduced to align with settlement reforms.
• The family migration framework will be reformed later this year, covering all UK residents seeking to bring family members to the UK, with clear rules regarding genuineness, English language skills, and required financial resources.

Find out more about these proposed immigration changes

Further information on the above changes can be found in the government’s immigration white paper.

If you have questions about any of these changes and how they may impact your immigration goals, please contact Smith Stone Walters.