UK to Tighten Immigration Policies, Permanent Residency Requirement to Change from 5 to 10 Years

炒年糕的貓貓
May 16
2 min read

If you're considering immigrating to the UK, recent policy changes are worth noting. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced modifications to the "Immigration White Paper."

Criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer:

During the Conservative Party's time in power, the net immigration numbers in the UK soared to nearly one million, and the situation has gotten out of control. Faced with pressures on housing, education, and healthcare systems, the UK can no longer sustain a large influx of immigrants every year. He emphasized that immigration policy reform is urgently needed and warned that if immigration regulations are not strengthened, the UK could become an "island of strangers."

Increase in Permanent Residency Threshold

The permanent residency (PR) waiting period for all categories of immigrants will be extended from 5 years to 10 years. Previously, most legal long-term residents could apply for PR after 5 years of residence in the UK. However, the 5-year threshold will remain for non-UK dependent family members of UK citizens, and vulnerable groups like victims of domestic violence will continue to have the right to settle.

Contribution-Based Points System

Individuals who make outstanding economic or social contributions to the UK can shorten their wait for PR and naturalization. The government has set up a "reward system" to encourage high-skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, high taxpayers, and immigrants who actively engage in volunteer work to integrate into society, offering them a faster path to citizenship.

Language Requirements Raised

The language proficiency required for work visa applicants will be raised from B1 to B2 (equivalent to an IELTS score increase from 4 to 5.5).

For adult family members of workers/students, the initial application will need to meet at least an A1 level (equivalent to IELTS 2), with subsequent extensions requiring proof of language proficiency at the A2 level (equivalent to IELTS 3).

Additionally, all visa holders applying for PR will need to demonstrate language proficiency at the B2 level (formerly B1, or an IELTS score of 4).

Higher Work Visa Application Standards

The educational requirement for work visa applicants will be raised from RQF 3 (equivalent to A-level) to RQF 6 (undergraduate degree or higher).
The current list of shortage occupations that offer wage discounts will be abolished, meaning all positions must meet the full wage threshold.
The minimum salary standard for skilled migrants will be increased, and the "Immigration Skills Charge" that employers must pay will rise by 32%.
New applications for nursing worker visas from overseas will no longer be accepted.

Significant Reduction in Graduate Visa Duration

Previously, the Graduate Route allowed international students to stay in the UK for 2 years after completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (3 years for PhD students). However, the UK government will now shorten the graduate visa stay period to just 18 months.

Conclusion

The new policies are expected to be implemented by the end of the year. If you plan to immigrate to the UK, it is recommended to make plans as soon as possible. Feel free to contact Honghai Strategic Consulting for assistance. We will continue to monitor the latest developments in UK immigration policies.