UK to tighten visa rules as PM pledges sharp drop in migration

UK Government Announces Major Visa Reforms to Cut Net Migration

Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlines sweeping changes to reduce legal migration

The UK government has introduced a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration system, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledging that the reforms will lead to a “significant” reduction in net migration over the next four years. The new measures focus on curbing legal migration through tighter visa regulations, increased employer costs, and stricter qualification thresholds.

Although the Prime Minister stopped short of setting a specific numerical target, the Home Office estimates the changes could result in a decrease of approximately 100,000 migrants annually by 2029. This projection is based on a quantitative analysis of eight core policy changes.

Ban on foreign care worker recruitment among headline measures

One of the most consequential changes is the termination of the visa scheme that allowed firms to recruit care workers from abroad. The government will now require employers to prioritize hiring British citizens or extend the visas of foreign workers already residing in the country. The Home Office expects this policy alone to reduce worker migration by 7,000 to 8,000 per year.

However, care industry leaders have warned that this restriction may place significant pressure on essential services that rely on international labor.

Employers face higher costs for hiring foreign workers

To further disincentivize overseas recruitment, the Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32%. Small businesses may now face costs of up to £2,400 per sponsored worker, while larger companies could pay up to £6,600. Universities may also be affected, with the government considering a new tax on each international student, redirecting the funds into domestic skills training.

In tandem, educational institutions will be required to meet tougher compliance standards: at least 95% of international students must begin their courses and 90% must complete them.

Skilled worker visa rules to become more selective

Reversing reforms made under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the government plans to raise qualification standards for skilled worker visas. Future applicants will generally need a degree-level qualification, rather than an A-level equivalent. This change is expected to render around 180 job roles ineligible for the skilled worker route.

Exemptions will be maintained for sectors with chronic labor shortages or those deemed critical to the national industrial strategy. The Migration Advisory Committee has been tasked with identifying such roles.
 

Additional policy changes across the immigration system

Other proposed reforms include:

• Increasing English language requirements for work visas

• Doubling the residency period required for settled status from five to ten years

• Creating a fast-track pathway for "high-skilled, high-contributing" migrants

• Allowing a limited group of UN-recognized refugees to access skilled worker routes

• Reviewing the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in immigration decisions

The government may also bring forward legislation to clarify Parliament's position on immigration law, particularly regarding the right to family life.

Political responses and criticism

Sir Keir defended the reforms as a balanced approach, asserting that they return control to the UK’s immigration system and were not a reaction to political gains by Reform UK in local elections. He stressed that "every part of the system, including work, family, and study routes, will be tightened."

However, opposition parties and voices across the political spectrum have voiced concerns. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed the changes as insufficient, arguing they fell short of necessary structural reform. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labeled the proposals as "tinkering" and evidence of Labour’s panic over his party’s rise.

The Liberal Democrats expressed support for better regulation but called for more focus on domestic workforce development. The Green Party characterized the proposals as a "misguided" and politically motivated reaction to far-right pressure.

From within Labour, dissent was also evident. MP Nadia Whittome accused the Prime Minister of adopting rhetoric aligned with anti-migrant sentiment, calling the shift in tone "shameful and dangerous."

Despite criticism, Sir Keir maintained that the changes are rooted in fairness and national interest. “This is about ensuring we are not an island of strangers,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of sustainable migration aligned with public services and housing capacity.

As the UK charts a new path on immigration, the political and social implications of these reforms will continue to shape the national conversation.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for in-depth coverage and analysis of UK immigration policy developments.