Britain Shifts Gears: A Tough New Turn in Immigration Policy

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced one of the most comprehensive overhauls of the United Kingdom’s immigration policy in recent decades. In light of record-high net migration figures and growing pressure on public services, the housing market, and the National Health Service, the government has set a clear course toward significantly reducing the inflow of foreign nationals. According to Starmer, residence in the UK should be regarded not as an automatic entitlement, but as a privilege to be earned.

UK immigration policy

Citizenship — No Longer a Given

A key change is the extension of the minimum residency period required to apply for British citizenship — from five to ten years. Only select professionals such as doctors, engineers, and IT specialists will be granted exemptions. According to Starmer, this marks a “complete break with the past,” where citizenship was often viewed as a formality.

The Home Office is also working on a new selection system that will evaluate candidates based on education, work experience, and economic benefit. However, specific criteria remain under wraps, pending consultations with experts and business leaders.

English Proficiency Now Mandatory

The call for “integration” is no longer just a slogan. The government is introducing strict language requirements: not only labor migrants, but their adult family members must now pass English exams. A minimum of A1 is required to enter the country, A2 to extend a visa, and B2 for permanent residency.

Experts believe these requirements could significantly reduce the number of issued visas, as many had previously gone to dependents. Dr. Madeleine Sumption from Oxford University points out: “This is not just about language — it’s a filter to narrow the pool of eligible applicants.”

Tighter Rules for Students and Employers

A significant blow comes to the system of work-based migration. Employers will now be required to prove they have exhausted all local hiring options before turning to foreign specialists.

Special attention is being given to the engineering and IT sectors, which remain priority areas. A new monitoring group will be formed, comprising business representatives and the Migration Advisory Committee.

Foreign students are also affected. Their post-graduation stay in the UK will be strictly regulated. Study visas will no longer serve as a backdoor path to permanent residency.

Mass Recruitment of Foreign Care Workers Ends

One of the most controversial changes is the end of automatic recruitment of overseas care workers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declared that employers must now prioritize local talent or migrants already residing in the UK.

The industry’s reaction has been swift and critical. Martin Green of Care England called it a “devastating blow,” while Unison’s Christina McAnea reminded the public that the NHS would have collapsed long ago without the support of foreign workers.

Deportation Rules Get Stricter

In tandem with stricter entry policies, the UK is toughening deportation laws. Foreign nationals listed on the sex offenders register can now be deported — even if they have not served prison time. This has sparked concern among human rights advocates, but the government stands firm: public safety comes first.

Political Undertones and Real-World Impact

A record 728,000 net migrants in 2024 has put immense pressure on the government, especially amid the rising popularity of Reform UK, a party known for its hardline stance on immigration. In this context, Starmer’s initiative is not just a social move but a strategic political response — an attempt to reclaim the narrative from the right.

But will these changes truly reduce migration? Doubts remain. Dr. Sumption believes the reforms are more likely to boost visa and exam revenues than meaningfully cut numbers. “The labor market still needs thousands of workers,” she notes, “and there simply aren’t enough locals to fill the gap.”

What’s Next?

The government has promised to unveil the full legislative package in Parliament soon. For now, all eyes are on how MPs will react and how Britain’s economy and society will adjust to a more closed-door approach, especially in sectors that can’t function without foreign hands.

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