BREAKING NEWS【UK Plans to Revise Immigration Policy White Paper】
2025.05.13
On May 12, Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially announced a white paper proposing modifications to the immigration system. The reforms aim to reshape the immigration framework, focusing on individuals who contribute most to economic growth and raising skill standards for graduates and workers.
New requirements will end the reliance on international recruitment, promote domestic training, and restore order in response to the quadrupling of net migration between 2019 and 2023.
Key policies include:
• Raising the standards for skilled workers to RQF 6 (graduate level) and above, along with increased salary thresholds.
• Eliminating discounts from the immigration salary list.
• Ending overseas recruitment for social care visas and closing new applications from abroad.
• Reducing the duration graduates can remain in the UK from two years to 18 months.
• Simplifying family and private life immigration arrangements, clarifying that the government and Parliament decide who has the right to remain in the UK.
• Expanding opportunities for highly skilled individuals and accelerating the entry of professionals with critical skills.
• Introducing stricter English language requirements.
• Doubling the standard qualifying period for permanent residency to 10 years.
These reforms will be gradually implemented in the coming weeks.