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🛂 Overview: Starmer Vows Tougher Immigration Rules
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a sweeping immigration reform aimed at significantly cutting net migration by the year 2029. His plan targets every major visa route — including work, family, and study — under a promise of being “controlled, selective, and fair.”
Outlined in a newly released white paper, these proposed changes emphasize stricter language requirements, longer settlement periods, and limited post-study stays.
📘 Key Highlights of the New Immigration Policy
🗣️ English Language Requirements
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All visa applicants must meet new English proficiency standards.
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Dependents must now also demonstrate a basic level of English.
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Skilled Worker Visas now require an upper intermediate level of English.
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Visa extensions will require proof of improved language skills over time.
🏡 Settled Status and Citizenship Rules
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Settlement eligibility has increased from 5 years to 10 years.
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Exceptions include doctors and nurses, who may still apply after five years.
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A new Bereaved Parent Visa allows immediate settled status for parents who lose a British or settled child.
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Citizenship pathways remain available but with revised criteria, including societal and economic contributions.
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The Life in the UK test will be revamped for better assessment.
🧳 Skilled Worker Visa Changes
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Minimum qualification raised from A-levels to a university degree.
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Stricter rules on overseas recruitment even for critical jobs.
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Incentives to train and hire UK workers will be introduced.
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Highly skilled professionals will get priority under “global talent” and “innovator founder” visas.
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A limited number of refugees will be able to enter through skilled worker routes.
🎓 Study Visa Reforms
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Graduate visa stay reduced to 18 months post-graduation.
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Institutions must meet stricter sponsor criteria or face recruitment caps.
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Oversight will increase for sponsors, including universities and government-backed schemes.
🧑⚕️ Social Care Visa Removed
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The social care visa will be phased out by 2028.
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Transition plans are in place for existing visa holders in the care sector.
🆘 Humanitarian and Domestic Worker Visas
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Humanitarian visas for Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan will continue.
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Their sponsorship models will be reviewed to ensure long-term sustainability.
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The Domestic Worker Visa will be reassessed to prevent abuse and modern slavery.
💼 Business and Employment Visas
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Companies must invest in the UK before hiring from abroad.
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Temporary visa workers will have more flexibility to change sponsors.
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Sponsors misusing the visa system may face sanctions or penalties.
⚖️ Legal Enforcement & Deportation
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New powers for the Home Office to revoke visas for a broader range of offences — even those without jail time.
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Deportation rules will account for crimes like violence against women and girls.
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Scientific methods will be used to prevent adults posing as minors.
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eVisas will help track illegal stays and boost enforcement.
💳 Financial Monitoring for Illegal Immigration
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Banks are required to refuse accounts for suspected illegal immigrants.
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This requirement will be extended to other financial institutions soon.
🛑 Family Visa and Asylum Crackdowns
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The “right to family life” clause under Article 8 will be reinterpreted.
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Only Parliament will decide who qualifies to remain in the UK.
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Those abusing asylum rules or coming from unchanged countries may face stricter controls.
📣 What Did Starmer Say?
"Fair rules must be followed. The immigration system must be strong at the border and throughout. We risk becoming an island of strangers."
– Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
