UK Tightens Visa Rules: 10-Year Wait for Settlement Applications

Under the new proposals, migrants will now face a decade-long wait before they can apply for settlement in the UK, moving away from the previous automatic entitlement to settled status after five years.

 

The Prime Minister of the UK, Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled plans to implement stricter immigration regulations.

 

He indicated that a key part of the reforms will be tougher English proficiency tests for all visa seekers and their adult dependents.

 

Additionally, beneath the new framework, migrants will need to wait 10 years before they can apply to settle in the UK, as opposed to the previous five-year automatic settlement path.

 

The anticipated Labour migration framework, to be revealed shortly, aims to “establish a system that is managed, discerning, and equitable,” according to the Prime Minister.

 

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized this stance, labeling the notion that Sir Keir “is stringent on immigration as laughable”, and committed to advocating for a migration cap in Parliament.

 

Prior to the release of the Immigration White Paper, Sir Keir expressed that certain sectors are “nearly reliant on sourcing inexpensive labor” rather than “focusing on enhancing the skills of the local workforce who seek fulfilling employment in their areas.”

 

He specifically pointed out the engineering sector, highlighting how the number of visas has surged while the opportunities for apprenticeships have dramatically decreased.

 

Sir Keir mentioned that the existing framework alienates “youth contemplating their futures” who may have missed chances for critical training.