The UK government has released a new immigration white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, outlining sweeping reforms aimed at significantly reducing migration while strengthening the domestic workforce. Published on Monday, 12 May, by the Home Office, the 82-page document introduces new measures that target international recruitment, tighten immigration pathways, and boost the country’s long-term economic interests through a more skilled and selective approach.
At the heart of the reform is a push to prioritize individuals who offer the greatest economic contribution to the UK. The government plans to raise the bar for skilled migration, re-emphasizing domestic training over overseas labour. According to the white paper, the rise in net migration — which quadrupled between 2019 and 2023 — reflects a failed system that the government now aims to fix.
Among the most significant changes is the decision to raise the required skills threshold for migrant workers. The level will revert to RQF 6 (graduate level), with increased salary thresholds. The Immigration Salary List, which previously allowed certain occupations to bypass high salary requirements, will be scrapped. Instead, the UK’s points-based immigration system will now focus only on sectors with proven, long-term labour shortages, and only when employers show a clear strategy to recruit locally and train staff within the UK.
A key sector that will feel the impact is social care. The government plans to close social care visa routes to new overseas applicants. However, those already in the UK under this category will be able to extend or switch visas until 2028 during a transitional period.
The paper also focuses heavily on education. New rules will make it harder for educational institutions to recruit international students unless they meet stricter compliance standards. Institutions that fail to uphold their duties may face sanctions, such as limits on international student intake. Additionally, international graduates will now only be allowed to stay in the UK for 18 months post-study, a reduction from the previous two years.
Family and private life immigration rules are also set for a major overhaul. The government intends to simplify the system by ending the frequent use of ‘exceptional case’ claims under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This move aims to prevent legal loopholes from blocking deportations that serve the public interest.
In terms of economic growth, the UK still intends to welcome the “brightest and best.” The government will expand and streamline high-skill migration routes, including the Global Talent Visa, Innovator Founder Visa, and High Potential Individual route. Research interns and top scientific professionals will also have improved access to the UK under these targeted pathways.
To combat immigration system abuse, the government is introducing stricter measures for asylum seekers who submit claims after arrival, especially when their home country’s conditions haven’t changed. The UK will also impose new financial penalties and sanctions on sponsors — such as companies or educational institutions — if there is evidence of visa misuse or non-compliance.
Reform of the deportation process is also underway. The Home Office will now track all foreign nationals convicted of crimes, not just those sentenced to prison. The deportation threshold will be revised to account for the seriousness of crimes, particularly those involving violence against women and girls.
English language proficiency will now be a requirement across a broader range of immigration routes for both main applicants and their dependents. The aim is to ensure that those coming to the UK can integrate better over time.
One of the more dramatic shifts is the doubling of the qualifying period for settlement from 5 to 10 years. The UK plans to tie settlement and citizenship more closely to the points-based system, rewarding migrants who contribute meaningfully to society.
These reforms will be implemented throughout this Parliament, with the first wave of changes expected in the coming weeks. Additional changes related to asylum policy and border security are expected later this summer.