The UK immigration landscape is set to change as the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has unveiled the Immigration White Paper today.
The Immigration White Paper, presented on May 12, 2025, has introduced significantly stricter policies aimed at reducing net migration in the country. The UK Immigration White Paper comes after net migration reached nearly one million in the year ending June 2023 – four times the levels seen in 2019.
The UK immigration White Paper suggests that the government plans to make it difficult for foreigners to enter the country. Every part of the system is being tightened. Backdoor routes to settlement will be closed, enforcement will be stepped up as we end abuse of the system.
Britain will remain open to the best global talent, but the days of mass recruitment to plug avoidable skills gaps will end. New mechanisms will ensure employers wanting visas must show they are investing in British workers and raising skills in this country to boost economic growth.
UK will be introducing much tighter restrictions on recruitment for shortage occupations. There will be tougher rules on who can come to work, study, or bring family.
The Prime Minister plans to end Britain’s failed open borders experiment, ensuring people arriving earn the right to stay by ensuring their rights are respected. The focus of the Immigration White Paper will be that living in Britain is a privilege that must be earned.
New immigration rules will reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy and put more money in the pockets of working people, the first priority of our Plan for Change.
The new system will end automatic settlement and citizenship for anyone living here for five years. Instead, migrants must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay unless they can show a real and lasting contribution to the economy and society.
Under a new framework to be rolled out, high-skilled, high-contributing individuals who play by the rules and contribute to the economy and society would be fast-tracked, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.
The government will also raise English language requirements across every immigration route to ensure those wishing to live and work in the UK speak a higher standard of English.
For the first time, this will also extend to all adult dependents by requiring them to demonstrate a basic understanding of English, helping individuals integrate into their local community, find employment and reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse. The new immigration rules will back British workers over cheap overseas labour and link migration policy with skills to boost economic growth.