UK Government Unveils White Paper to Curb Migration and Strengthen Border Control

The UK government has released a new white paper outlining major reforms to the immigration system, aiming to reduce record levels of net migration and reinforce border integrity.

Key Measures Include:

Skills-Focused Immigration: Prioritising migrants with skills that boost growth in science, design, and strategic industries. This includes expanding research internship placements, improving access to the Global Talent visa, and reviewing the Innovator Founder and High Potential Individual visas.

Stronger Asylum Rules: New restrictions for asylum seekers from countries where conditions haven’t significantly changed, especially those who apply only after arriving in the UK.

Combating Abuse: Introducing tighter visa controls and sanctions for individuals, sponsors, or governments involved in abuse or non-compliance, with increased scrutiny and financial penalties to ensure responsibility.

Deportation Reform: Overhauling the deportation process by expanding criteria beyond prison sentences, particularly in cases of violence against women and girls.

Language Requirements: Introducing broader English language requirements across immigration routes, including ongoing assessments of improvement.

Settlement & Citizenship Changes: Doubling the qualifying period for settlement to 10 years and incorporating a points-based system that considers a migrant’s contribution to the UK.

These reforms will be phased in during this Parliament. Additional changes to asylum and border security are expected later this year as part of the government’s broader immigration agenda.