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Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
What are the new UK immigration rules as major reforms to come into effect this month?
Immigration rule changes have been made in a bid to cut the number of foreign nationals coming to live in the UK Immigration is the word on everyone's lips at the moment. From the UK Government issuing a warning to citizens travelling to the US, to a recent crackdown on illegal working in Scotland, the issue is pertinent - and ever-changing. Now, in just a few short weeks, a suite of new immigration rules could be implemented in the UK. The proposals, unveiled on Tuesday, July 1, apparently aim to reduce the number of foreign nationals settling in Britain. Politicians have claimed that robust strategies are essential to train and hire UK workers, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper indicating that the government intends to totally revamp the existing immigration framework. "We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years," Yvette Cooper stated. "These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK." So, what are the new UK immigration rules? The forthcoming measures will halt overseas recruitment for social care positions and increase salary thresholds for skilled foreign workers. The baseline minimum salary for obtaining a Skilled Worker visa is set to climb from £38,700 to £41,700. In addition, the minimum salary for those holding a relevant PhD will rise from £34,830 to £37,500. If sanctioned by MPs, the initial changes will take effect from Tuesday, July 22. As per the Standard's report, the government plans to roll out a new temporary jobs shortage list for sub-degree level roles that are crucial to key infrastructure projects, valid until the end of next year. These individuals will no longer benefit from salary and visa fee reductions. They will not have the privilege of bringing family members to the UK, either. "The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas from occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 and above, approximately A-level skills, to occupations at RQF level 6 and above, mainly graduate professions," Seema Malhotra, Migration Minister, said. "Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data, ahead of an upcoming thorough review of salary requirements (including discounts) by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)." In the meantime, the government has warned it "will not hesitate" to restrict immigration access further "should there be clear signs of abuse and exploitation in sectors." Further changes to be implemented by the end of this year include raising the immigration skills charge, cracking down on people's level of English before entering the country, and setting out a new family framework. The government has also committed to abolishing the previous government's immigration salary list. The minimum salary is currently 80 per cent of the route's usual minimum rate to qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa. The government will announce further measures on asylum and border security later this year, too. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Economic Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Graduate Route shortened, Caregiver visas curtailed: The fine print of UK's White Paper on immigration
On May 12, 2025, the UK Government published a White Paper describing intended changes to the UK's Immigration system, which would mainly impact students, workers, and caregivers, among other things. ADVERTISEMENT These reforms are part of the UK government's continuing attempts to reduce net migration, which we have seen over the last 18-24 months. The overarching goals for these changes are: Reduction in net migration; Linking local skills and training requirements in the UK to deter employers from relying solely on immigration to fill their skills shortages; Build a fair and effective system that is clear and does not result in perverse outcomes; Stricter compliance and enforcement with immigration, including a severe crackdown on illegal workers and deportation of foreign criminals; and Enhancing the need for rules to promote social integration including the need for language skills and benefits for foreign nationals' contributions to the UK. These proposals will require rule changes or entirely new legislation to take effect. Hence, it is unclear when these reforms will take effect, but they will most likely be implemented in stages. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The proposed changes in the White Paper are broad and restrictive. Set out below are some of the key provisions. 1. Employment Based: Limit skilled worker sponsorship to graduate-level roles under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) 6+). This is a significant jump from the current high-school level (RQF3 – A levels). Under the proposed changes, any roles below RQF6+ must be on a dynamic, sector-based Temporary Shortage Occupation List. The Temporary Shortage Occupation List would provide time-limited access to the Points-Based immigration system. For an occupation to be included on the list: there must have been long term shortages; the MAC must have advised it is justified; there must be a workforce strategy in place; and employers seeking to recruit from abroad must be committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce. 2. Care Givers: Discontinue Care Worker Visas for new overseas candidates. However, until 2028, visa extensions and changes would be permitted for affected foreign nationals already present in the United Kingdom. ADVERTISEMENT 3. Students: Reduce the validity period of employment under the 'Graduate Route' to 18 months (down from the current 24 months). This route, which allows graduates to remain in the United Kingdom after their studies, would also be linked to job criteria, unlike the current situation, where there is no job level condition under this route. The paper also proposes adding a 6% tuition levy to overseas tuition fees. 4. Longer Path to citizenship: Increasing the necessary period of residence to be eligible for long-term residence to 10 years, up from the current five years. The government is also considering establishing a fast-track route under a social and economic contribution-based model, but details are not yet confirmed. Citizenship reforms would also mirror these changes, with necessary residence periods increasing to 10 years, up from the current five years. However, individuals may be able to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society. ADVERTISEMENT 5. Language requirement changes: Increasing threshold requirements for main applicants already subject to the language requirement, who would need to achieve a B2 level of English under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) system. The language requirement would also be applied to adult dependents (who must reach at least A1). It is not clear whether this will apply to all routes of immigration. 6. Highly skilled routes: Doubling the number of eligible institutions from which applicants for the High Potential Individual (HPI) route could graduate to qualify and streamlining and scaling the Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas. ADVERTISEMENT In addition to the above, proposed changes will be introduced to create a system supporting integration and community cohesion, including new rules on the ability to speak English and people's contribution to the Government also intends to explore how to ensure that employers, using the immigration system, are incentivized to invest in boosting domestic talent, including options to restrict employers sponsoring skilled visas if they are not committed to increasing skills training. They also intend to ensure that the very highly skilled individuals have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent. Enhanced Enforcement ADVERTISEMENT The regulations will also be changed to introduce tighter controls, restrictions, and scrutiny to deal with apparent abuse and misuse of the immigration system, from a crackdown on illegal work to the deportation of foreign criminals. This includes using e-Visas and modern technology, building systems in the banking system to monitor compliance with tax laws, and continuing the roll-out of digital identities for all foreign nationals. We expect the Government to introduce more restrictive and specific reforms to ensure compliance with the laws, including streamlining and expediting removal again, we would like to remind readers that the proposed reforms will require either regulatory changes or new legislation to be implemented. Accordingly, the timeline for any potential changes remains uncertain. Disclaimer: This article is drafted based on publicly available information and some of the comments are the author's personal views.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Graduate Route shortened, Caregiver visas curtailed: The fine print of UK's White Paper on immigration
On May 12, 2025, the UK Government published a White Paper describing intended changes to the UK's Immigration system, which would mainly impact students, workers, and caregivers, among other things. These reforms are part of the UK government's continuing attempts to reduce net migration, which we have seen over the last 18-24 months. The overarching goals for these changes are: Reduction in net migration; Linking local skills and training requirements in the UK to deter employers from relying solely on immigration to fill their skills shortages; Build a fair and effective system that is clear and does not result in perverse outcomes; Stricter compliance and enforcement with immigration, including a severe crackdown on illegal workers and deportation of foreign criminals; and Enhancing the need for rules to promote social integration including the need for language skills and benefits for foreign nationals' contributions to the UK. These proposals will require rule changes or entirely new legislation to take effect. Hence, it is unclear when these reforms will take effect, but they will most likely be implemented in stages. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The proposed changes in the White Paper are broad and restrictive. Set out below are some of the key provisions. 1. Employment Based: Limit skilled worker sponsorship to graduate-level roles under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) 6+). This is a significant jump from the current high-school level (RQF3 – A levels). Under the proposed changes, any roles below RQF6+ must be on a dynamic, sector-based Temporary Shortage Occupation List. The Temporary Shortage Occupation List would provide time-limited access to the Points-Based immigration system. For an occupation to be included on the list: Live Events there must have been long term shortages; the MAC must have advised it is justified; there must be a workforce strategy in place; and employers seeking to recruit from abroad must be committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce. 2. Care Givers: Discontinue Care Worker Visas for new overseas candidates. However, until 2028, visa extensions and changes would be permitted for affected foreign nationals already present in the United Kingdom. 3. Students: Reduce the validity period of employment under the 'Graduate Route' to 18 months (down from the current 24 months). This route, which allows graduates to remain in the United Kingdom after their studies, would also be linked to job criteria, unlike the current situation, where there is no job level condition under this route. The paper also proposes adding a 6% tuition levy to overseas tuition fees. 4. Longer Path to citizenship: Increasing the necessary period of residence to be eligible for long-term residence to 10 years, up from the current five years. The government is also considering establishing a fast-track route under a social and economic contribution-based model, but details are not yet confirmed. Citizenship reforms would also mirror these changes, with necessary residence periods increasing to 10 years, up from the current five years. However, individuals may be able to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society. 5. Language requirement changes: Increasing threshold requirements for main applicants already subject to the language requirement, who would need to achieve a B2 level of English under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) system. The language requirement would also be applied to adult dependents (who must reach at least A1). It is not clear whether this will apply to all routes of immigration. 6. Highly skilled routes: Doubling the number of eligible institutions from which applicants for the High Potential Individual (HPI) route could graduate to qualify and streamlining and scaling the Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas. In addition to the above, proposed changes will be introduced to create a system supporting integration and community cohesion, including new rules on the ability to speak English and people's contribution to the UK. The Government also intends to explore how to ensure that employers, using the immigration system, are incentivized to invest in boosting domestic talent, including options to restrict employers sponsoring skilled visas if they are not committed to increasing skills training. They also intend to ensure that the very highly skilled individuals have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent. Enhanced Enforcement The regulations will also be changed to introduce tighter controls, restrictions, and scrutiny to deal with apparent abuse and misuse of the immigration system, from a crackdown on illegal work to the deportation of foreign criminals. This includes using e-Visas and modern technology, building systems in the banking system to monitor compliance with tax laws, and continuing the roll-out of digital identities for all foreign nationals. We expect the Government to introduce more restrictive and specific reforms to ensure compliance with the laws, including streamlining and expediting removal processes. Once again, we would like to remind readers that the proposed reforms will require either regulatory changes or new legislation to be implemented. Accordingly, the timeline for any potential changes remains uncertain. This article is drafted based on publicly available information and some of the comments are the author's personal views.
