UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping reform of the UK’s immigration system. Describing it as “broken,” Starmer outlined new rules that would make it harder for migrants to gain long-term status, including tougher English tests and an extended settlement period.
Under the proposed UK visa reform immigration system, all visa applicants and their adult dependants will now need to pass stricter English language exams. For the first time, adult dependants must also show basic language skills to support integration, find work, and avoid exploitation. According to the Oxford University Migration Observatory, over 90% of migrants already speak English well, but those who don’t face major employment barriers.
In addition, Labour’s plan will double the time migrants must live in the UK before applying for settled status. Currently, most can apply after five years, but the new proposal increases that to ten years. This will make the UK one of the most restrictive high-income countries for long-term settlement, according to migration experts.
Despite this, Labour is introducing a fast-track settlement route for highly skilled professionals such as nurses, engineers, and AI specialists who contribute significantly to the economy. These individuals will have an easier path to permanent status.
Starmer has argued that the UK has become too dependent on cheap foreign labour, especially in industries like engineering, where apprenticeship numbers have declined. He stressed that the UK must focus on training local talent instead of relying on migration.
A significant part of the plan includes stopping overseas recruitment of care workers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that care providers will have to hire British nationals or extend the visas of care workers already in the UK. This move alone is expected to reduce migration by up to 50,000 a year.
The Labour immigration White Paper will also raise the education threshold for Skilled Worker Visas from A-level to graduate level. In addition, the number of exceptions to visa rules in sectors with temporary labour shortages will be narrowed.
While the Labour government views these changes as necessary, opposition parties have raised concerns. The Conservative Party plans to force a parliamentary vote on a binding migration cap. They argue Labour’s changes are not enough and blame the government for missing previous opportunities to reduce migration. Reform UK has also said its rise in recent elections is driven by public frustration over both legal and illegal migration.
Net migration figures reached a record 906,000 in June 2023 and remained high at 728,000 by the end of the year. These new reforms aim to bring those numbers down while ensuring that only those who contribute meaningfully can remain in the country long-term.
Although implementation will be delayed until the 2026 parliamentary session due to legislative requirements, Starmer says these changes are a “clean break from the past.” He added that settlement in the UK should be a privilege earned, not a right.