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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a wide-ranging reform of the immigration system with a new white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The 82-page document signals a clear departure from previous approaches, as Starmer’s Labour government seeks to address rising migration and public pressure following its landslide win last July.

The Prime Minister said net migration had spiralled out of control under past policies, increasing from 224,000 in 2019 to 906,000 in 2023 almost matching the population of Birmingham. He stated the reforms are designed to reduce migration, end dependence on cheap foreign labour, and build a workforce through British investment.

One of the key reforms is the decision to raise the skilled worker threshold to a degree-level qualification (RQF 6). The existing Immigration Salary List, which allowed lower wages in select sectors, will be scrapped. Only occupations facing long-term shortages with official workforce strategies will now qualify under the points-based system.

UK PM Keir Starmer | Credit: X

A new Labour Market Evidence Group will be established to assess workforce demands. The government has also announced a halt on new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Those already working in the UK under existing visas can extend them until 2028 under a transition period.

Starmer emphasised that the reforms aim to shift focus from short-term foreign hiring to long-term training and employment of local workers.

The new framework brings significant changes for international students. The post-study visa duration will be reduced from two years to 18 months. Educational institutions sponsoring overseas students will now face strict compliance checks and could have recruitment limits.

Family and private life immigration rules will also be streamlined. A major change is in deportation policy. Under the new rules, even those convicted of minor offences, not just prison sentences can face deportation. The reforms also promise stricter consequences for crimes like violence against women and girls.

To prevent abuse of the system, the UK government plans to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on countries that repeatedly misuse the UK’s immigration pathways. Asylum rules will be tightened, especially for those seeking refuge after arriving in the UK, without visible changes in their home countries.

Sponsors of migrant workers and students who violate rules will face higher fines. The reforms also propose that the path to citizenship will now take 10 years double the current duration. A points-based citizenship model is under development, with more details expected later this year.

While the overall approach is tighter, the UK government is still encouraging entry of high-skilled individuals. The white paper highlights plans to boost sectors such as science and technology through accelerated visa processes. This includes an expanded Global Talent visa scheme and similar programmes aimed at attracting global experts.

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