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.

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.

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.