UK immigration overhaul: What it means for Indians

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

There was a mixed reaction as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, May 12, set out tighter new rules to clamp down on soaring immigration figures, which is set to impact Indians as one of the largest groups of student and skilled worker visa applicants to the UK.

Keir Starmer UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer interacting with British defence personnel. Photo courtesy: x.com/Keir_Starmer

The new rules, framed in a new Immigration White Paper, doubles the standard qualifying period for settlement status in Britain to 10 years and imposes stricter English requirements, with assessments of improvements in language skills embedded within the visa rules for applicants and their dependents.

Overseas student visas, a category dominated by China and India, will witness a tightening of the post-study Graduate Route visa offer from the current two years to 18 months.

“While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved, albeit with a reduced duration, we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration,” said Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK.

The organisation flagged concerns about the impact on Indian students, the largest users of the Graduate Route with an aim of acquiring international work experience at the conclusion of their degrees.

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“Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how,” NISAU said.

The group also called for better alignment between student and skilled worker routes, another category dominated by Indians and set to face tougher minimum salary requirements.

“We are pleased to see recognition of our long-standing calls for better alignment between immigration and skills, and we strongly support the push for greater transparency and accountability in education agent practices, for which we have laid out very clear asks,” added Arora.

Almost every UK visa category is set to be impacted by the White Paper, with the Health and Social Care visa – led by Indians and other South Asian applicants – in line to be axed.

“The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa to new applicants has been framed as a response to growing exploitation, but with the numbers of visas granted to first time entrants already dwindling, it is but a distraction,” said Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK’s Work Rights Centre.

“Because of this failed visa scheme, thousands of migrant care workers already in the UK are facing destitution, and the government is yet to offer them any workable support. What they need is not more hostility and victim-blaming, but the flexibility to take their skills to the businesses that need and value them,” she said.

The group also condemned as “arbitrary” the lengthier period before migrants can claim settlement rights in the UK because it would introduce unfairness into an already hostile system.

“More people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation, and potentially even increasing the number of people with undocumented status,” added Vicol.

In his Downing Street speech, Starmer said that without the tough new rules the UK risks “becoming an island of strangers”.

“As this White Paper sets out, every area of the immigration system – work, family, and study – will be tightened up so we have more control.

“Skill requirements raised to degree level; English language requirements across all routes – including for dependents; the time it takes to acquire settled status extended from five years to 10; and enforcement tougher than ever because fair rules must be followed,” he said, promising that migrant numbers will fall as a result of the measures.

What is the Immigration White Paper by the UK Govt?

In its description for the Immigration White Paper, the Gov.UK website reads: “Radical reforms to Britain’s immigration system, restoring control to our borders and reducing record-high levels of net migration have been set out.”

These changes are part of the UK government’s wider plan to overhaul the immigration system, starting in the coming weeks and continuing throughout this Parliament. Here are bullet points for easy understanding.

  • Shift Towards Skilled Immigration: Focus on attracting high-skilled workers and graduates who contribute to the economy, while discouraging over-reliance on international hiring.
  • Boosting Domestic Workforce: Employers must invest in training local talent; new policies aim to reverse dependence on foreign recruitment.
  • Labour Market Evidence Group: A new expert group will assess labour market needs using accurate data instead of defaulting to migration.
  • Government-Sector Collaboration: Different departments will work closely with industry bodies to align workforce needs and policies.
  • Raising Skilled Worker Standards: Only graduate-level (RQF 6+) jobs will qualify under the Skilled Worker route. Minimum salary thresholds will be increased.
  • End of Salary Discount List: The Immigration Salary List, which allowed reduced salary thresholds for certain roles, will be scrapped.
  • Stricter Work Visa Access: Work visas will be restricted to roles with long-term shortages, and employers must also invest in local recruitment.
  • Social Care Visas to End: No new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Those already in the UK may extend visas till 2028.
  • Tighter Student Visa Rules: Universities must meet stricter standards to host international students. Poor-performing sponsors will face restrictions.
  • Post-Study Stay Period Reduced: International graduates can stay in the UK for 18 months after completing their studies (down from 2 years).
  • Simplifying Family Immigration Rules: New law to clarify eligibility for staying in the UK under family/private life claims, limiting misuse of human rights laws.
  • Focus on High-Skilled Growth: More support for top talent through schemes like Global Talent, Innovator Founder visa, and High Potential Individual route.
  • Crackdown on Visa Abuse: Stricter scrutiny and penalties for visa abuse. Stronger return agreements with foreign governments for deportations.
  • Dealing with Asylum Misuse: Tougher action on asylum claims made after arrival, especially when home country conditions haven’t changed.
  • Accountability for Sponsors: Fines or penalties for institutions or employers found abusing the system. Migrants must meet visa conditions responsibly.
  • Foreign Offender Deportation: Revised rules to deport more foreign offenders, including non-prison cases and crimes like violence against women.
  • Better English Requirements: Stricter English language rules for more visa types and dependents, with tracking of progress over time.
  • Earned Settlement and Citizenship: Minimum stay for settlement increased to 10 years. Citizenship rules to include a point-based contribution system.

(With inputs from the Press Trust of India.)