On 12 May 2025, the UK government published its white paper titled ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’. The 82-page document was promised following the Labour Party’s election win in summer 2024 and outlines a strategic overhaul of the UK’s immigration framework. Spearheaded by the Home Secretary, the white paper aims to “reduce net migration, bring control and fairness to the system, and promote economic growth”, in its own words.
Key points from the white paper include:
eligibility for work visas will be restricted to positions requiring degree-level qualifications, as the minimum skills threshold is set to rise;
the qualifying period for migrants to apply for UK settlement will be extended from five to ten years, except where specific exemptions apply; and
English language proficiency standards will be raised for main applicants and introduced for dependants.