US EditionUK introduces stricter immigration rules: Key changes explained
- In May 2025, the UK government unveiled extensive immigration reforms focused on decreasing dependence on overseas labor and strengthening visa regulations, as detailed in a new white paper.
- These reforms respond to a sharp rise in net migration, which reached 728,000 in mid-2024, and address criticisms that previous governments allowed uncontrolled overseas recruitment.
- The plan raises work visa requirements to degree-level qualifications, increases minimum salary thresholds, phases out care worker visas, and mandates employers prove local labor shortages with approved workforce strategies.
- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated the changes will cut up to 50,000 lower-skilled foreign workers next year and stressed the old system granted employers excess freedom to hire abroad, harming local skills investment.
- The reforms aim to prioritize high-value migration, restore public trust, reduce net migration, and require migrants to contribute meaningfully before gaining settlement, while critics warn of potential staff shortages in key sectors.
23 Articles
23 Articles
UK announces new reforms to immigration with focus on reducing abuse
The UK government announced on Monday new reform policies to tighten immigration rules, in a White Paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” which was presented to parliament. The new rules focus on reducing international recruitment, visa and asylum rules, and citizenship. The new rules have raised the requirements for skilled worker visas, citing that “overseas recruitment” and a “shift toward lower-skilled migration” can b…
Joe Tetlow: This is how we should reform Government to improve the immigration system
Joe Tetlow is an Associate Fellow at Bright Blue and former Special Adviser to the Home Secretary As a former Home Office special adviser, I have been asked to shed some light on how we might improve the immigration system. My time at 2 Marsham Street was relatively short, but busy; advising on small boat crossings, the Rwanda Act, asylum accommodation and big changes to the visa rules which are now cutting net migration. I will try to provide s…
Pharmacy services 'will worsen' if they have to pay more to employ migrants
Increasing the amount of money employers must pay to hire a migrant worker will “have a negative effect and exacerbate existing recruitment challenges” pharmacies have warned.Employers will have to pay hundreds of pounds more to hire overseas workers under Government plans to crack down on legal migration.Tighter immigration rules will mean the cost of sponsoring work visas will increase by almost a third – the first rise in the fee since 2017. …
UK introduces stricter immigration rules: Key changes explained
The UK government has announced sweeping reforms to its immigration system, aimed at reducing dependency on foreign labour while tightening control over visa pathways for workers, students and families. Outlined in a new white paper, the Home Office confirmed that the qualifying period for both settlement and citizenship will be extended to ten years. Officials said the reforms are designed to ensure migrants contribute meaningfully to British s…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
