Japa: UK unveils plan to slash annual immigration by 100,000

Japa people

The United Kingdom Government has unveiled a sweeping set of immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration by around “100,000 people each year.”

The new Immigration White Paper released on Monday outlined changes across work visas, international study, asylum policy, enforcement, and long-term settlement.

One of the most significant changes is that “Legislation will be brought in to make clear that the Government and Parliament – not courts – determine who should stay, tackling misuse of Article 8 (right to family life) to block deportations.”

In a move to limit work-related migration, skilled workers will now need university-level qualifications, and the salary thresholds required for visas will increase.

“The Immigration Skills Charge – paid by sponsors – will rise by 32 percent for the first time since 2017, in line with inflation,” it added.

A major change affects the social care sector, with overseas visas being closed to new applicants.

The paper noted, “Social care visas will close to new overseas applicants; people already in the UK with work rights can extend or switch visas until 2028, subject to review.” Punch