UK Announces New Immigration Rules, Overhauls Path to Permanent Residency

LONDON (International Desk) – The UK has announced reforms to its immigration system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes aim to reduce the financial burden on the public.
Key changes:

• Social care workers earning £25,000 a year can apply for settlement after 5 years, down from 15. This applies to those who arrived before May 2025.
• Those earning over £50,000, and health and education workers, can also apply after 5 years.
• Other lower-paid workers face a 10-year requirement.
• Refugees arriving by legal routes can apply after 5 years; illegal migrants must wait 20 years.
• People not working or studying face an extra 10 years, taking the wait to 30 years.
• Applicants with criminal records, poor English, unpaid debts or unpaid National Insurance will be refused.
  Mahmood said the right to stay in Britain would no longer be automatic and must be earned.
  According to British media, Home Office figures show the UK population grew by 2.6 million between 2021 and 2024, with a further 1.6 million projected to settle between 2026 and 2030.
  Several Labour MPs, including Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, reportedly called the proposals “un-British”. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said net migration in 2025 was 171,000, half the previous year’s level.
  Mahmood’s parents came to Britain from Kashmir.