UK Tightens Visa Rules to Curb Immigration and Limit Low-Paid Foreign Workers
The UK government is preparing a major overhaul of its visa and immigration policies in a push to bring down migration numbers and reduce reliance on low-paid foreign workers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration says the current system has failed and needs fixing. The new rules, expected to be detailed in a White Paper in Parliament on Monday, are aimed at cutting net migration and tightening who gets to live and work in the UK. The announcement was made Sunday, just ahead of the official policy rollout.
At the heart of the plan is a promise to end what Starmer calls “a broken model” that encourages British businesses to hire low-wage overseas workers instead of investing in domestic talent. The Labour leader is under growing pressure to act, as public concern over immigration mounts and the Reform UK party continues to gain traction with its hardline stance on the issue.
Net migration in the 12 months leading to June 2024, is 728,000, a figure Starmer says is unsustainable. He argues the system needs to be rebalanced to ensure immigration works for the UK, not against it.
What’s Changing Under the New Rules:
No More Overseas Recruitment for Care Jobs
One of the most significant changes will be the end of overseas recruitment for care workers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said companies in the sector should now look to hire from within the UK or extend the visas of those already living and working here.
“There are plenty of people already in the country—on various visa routes—who can fill those roles. We think it’s time to stop relying on care workers from abroad,” Cooper told the BBC.
Skilled Worker Visas to Be More Selective
In a shift towards a high-skill immigration model, only graduate-level jobs will qualify for skilled worker visas. Downing Street says the new focus will be on professionals like doctors, nurses, engineers, and experts in fields like AI—people who “play by the rules and contribute to the economy.”
The education threshold for these visas is also being raised, effectively limiting access to those with a university degree.
Tougher English Requirements for Dependants
New language rules will require adult dependants of visa holders to prove a basic grasp of English when they arrive. They’ll need to pass an A1-level test which inbasic greetings, personal details, and simple phrases.
To stay longer, they’ll have to meet a higher A2 standard, demonstrating the ability to manage everyday conversations and practical needs.
Longer Wait for Settlement and Citizenship
One of the most dramatic shifts will be the increased wait time to apply for settlement or citizenship. Instead of the current five-year path to indefinite leave to remain, the government plans to double it to ten years.
The move is meant to underline the idea that permanent residency should be earned through long-term contribution—not simply granted after a few years of legal residence.
With the full White Paper due to be presented on Monday, Starmer is expected to frame the new policy as a turning point—one that resets the immigration debate and prioritises skilled, committed migrants over mass low-wage inflows.
