The United Kingdom Home Office on Monday released the UK immigration white paper 2025 as Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to “fix the broken immigration system in the country.
The UK authorities have tightened the rules for immigration in the UK as calls grew over the years of a stagnant economy and increased settlements of migrants in the UK.
It should be noted that the UK immigration white paper 2025 significantly affects tens of thousands of international students from Pakistan who want to purse higher studies in the United Kingdom.
What is the UK immigration white paper 2025?
While the details of the policies have not yet been made public, some significant changes might make the UK a less attractive option for future migrants.
According to details, migrants will have to wait at least 10 years before they can apply for a legal status to settle in the UK. It should be noted that currently, migrants can apply to settle in the UK after living there for 5 years.
Moreover, the UK immigration white paper 2025 is also expected to tighten language requirements across every immigration route into the UK.
According to new rules, adult dependents on all visas in the UK will also be required to demonstrate basic language skills, which was not obligatory before.
It should be noted that there are many instances when the dependents of any visa holder in the UK cannot demonstrate English language skills, like aged parents. Critics have warned that the new rule may split families or create obstacles in reuniting with families.
Furthermore, the new immigration policies will also toughen the skilled visa route to the UK. For instance, the current criteria to get a skilled work visa include obligatory regulated qualifications framework (RQF) 3 level. RQF 3 level means the person has educational skills roughly equal to A-levels.
Details suggest that this will be changed to RQF6, which is equivalent to degree level.
The government also intends to spike the immigration skills charge by 32 per cent, paid by employers when they hire someone who is not a UK national.
How does UK immigration white paper 2025 impact international students?
It is a fact that the UK remains one of the top destinations for international students from all around the world, particularly from South Asia.
Reports reveal that international students contribute an estimated £20bn to Britain’s economy. Lawmakers have long argued that too many students arrive in their country to study at lower-ranked institutions and stay in the UK beyond their course.
The white paper intends to make the vetting process for universities tougher, while the percentage of visa grants would be under review.
Starmer has argued that the massive migration into the UK has put undue burden on public services without helping economic growth.
In 2023, net migration into the UK soared to 900,000 a year, a policy the current British Prime Minister has strongly criticised.
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