New UK immigration rules take effect this month – Here’s what you need to know
Several of the new immigration restrictions described in the Immigration White Paper will come into effect from 22 July, the government has announced.
In a statement on Tuesday 1 July, the Home Office said this marks the beginning of a fundamental shift in the United Kingdom’s approach to immigration, focusing on bringing in those with higher skills in lower numbers, and under tighter controls.
The first of the UK’s new immigration rules that will come into effect this month are as follows:
- The skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas will be raised, removing 111 eligible occupations.
- The social care worker visa route will be closed, ending overseas recruitment for these roles in response to widespread abuse and exploitation.
- Through a targeted immigration salary and temporary shortage list for critical roles, workers below degree level will only be allowed time-limited access to the UK, and sectors on these lists will be under strict requirements to grow domestic skills.
- The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will conduct a review of the temporary shortage list, including occupations, salaries, and benefits.
- Workers in occupations on the temporary shortage list will no longer be able to bring dependants to the UK and will not be permitted salary and visa fee discounts.
The government noted that the occupations included on the temporary shortage list are time-limited until the end of 2026 and will only remain beyond that date if recommended by the independent Migration Advisory Committee.
It added that each sector must have a workforce strategy in place to train UK workers, or it will lose access to the immigration system.
Changes to UK settlement rules on the horizon
Following the above changes being implemented from 22 July, the Home Office said several additional immigration reforms are expected to be made before the end of the year.
These include raising the immigration skills charge, uplifting language requirements for immigrants, and unveiling a new family policy framework to Parliament.
It also said that further measures on asylum and border security would be announced later this year.
The Immigration White Paper, published earlier this year, proposes major reforms to immigration in the United Kingdom, including a new rule that means those living in the UK will need to reside in the country for 10 years to be eligible for settled status, or indefinite leave to remain.
Currently, immigrants who reside in the country for five years are eligible for settled status. However, this period is set to double under new rules proposed in the Immigration White Paper.
The government has not confirmed when its proposed changes to settlement and citizenship will come into place, although legal firm Dentons has said they could come into effect as early as this Summer.
The rule could also apply to those already living in the UK, meaning that immigrants who have been in the country for under five years may have to wait much longer than expected before becoming eligible for settled status and citizenship.
In a statement announcing the implementation of the first of the new reforms to the UK’s immigration rules, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government’s revised system will restore ‘proper order and control’.
“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,” Cooper said.
“As part of the Plan for Change, we can build an immigration system that serves the needs of the British economy and people – one that values skills, tackles exploitation, and ensures those who come to the UK make a genuine contribution.”
