The new measures announced by the UK government, aimed at clamping down on soaring immigration figures, are likely to hit Indian students and working professionals hard, one of the largest numbers of people seeking visa applications in the European nation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the new measures on Monday, indicating that the country does not want to have immigrants settle within its boundaries as permanent residents.

Under the new plans, migrants will need to wait for 10 years to apply for settlement in the UK.

Earlier, they automatically gained settled status after five years.

The UK government also plans to tighten English tests for all visa applicants and their adult dependents in future.

Speaking on the new measures, PM Keir Starmer wrote on X: "Every area of our immigration system will be tightened up, so we have more control. And migration numbers will fall."

Key policies in the 82 page blueprint, titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, include the following:

Reversing the long-term trend of increasing international recruitment at the expense of skills and training.

The labour market evidence group will be established, drawing on the best data available in order to make informed decisions about the state of the labour market and the role that different policies should play, rather than always relying on migration.

Departments across government will engage sector bodies as part of this approach.

Overseas Student Visas

Overseas student visas, a category dominated by China and India, will see a tightening of the post-study Graduate Route visa offer from the current two years to 18 months.

National Indian Students and Alumni Union Reacts

Reacting to the new rules, Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, wrote on X: "I understand that the Graduate route will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months after completion of studies." "It is not yet clear how this impacts existing students & incoming ones for the Sep 2025 intake," she said.

"@NISAU_UK is analysing anticipated impact of this & other measures proposed in the #ImmigrationWhitePaper," she said.

Key points of the new Immigration White Paper

Raising skilled worker threshold: The UK government said the level for skilled workers will be lifted back to RQF 6 (Graduate level) and above. Salary thresholds will rise.

The immigration salary list, which gives people discounts from salary thresholds, will be abolished.

Access to the points-based immigration system will be limited to occupations where there have been long term shortages, on a time limited basis, where the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has advised it is justified, where there is a workforce strategy in place, and where employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce.

Adult social care

 In line with wider reforms to skills thresholds, the government will close social care visas to new applications from abroad.  

For a transition period until 2028, while the workforce strategy is being developed and rolled out, the government will permit visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the UK.

Study

The new rule will reduce the ability for graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months.

Family

Legislation will be brought forward to make clear it is the government and Parliament that decides who should have the right to remain in the UK.

This will address cases where Article 8 right to family life legal arguments are being used to frustrate deportation, where removal is clearly in the public interest.

Growth

The step will include increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.

The new measure will include increasing places to  scheme for research interns, making it easier for top scientific and design talent to use our Global Talent visa, and reviewing our Innovator Founder visa and High Potential Individual route to maximise their benefit to the UK economy.

Tackling abuse

New policies will apply to individuals who claim asylum where conditions in their home country have not materially changed, particularly where they have claimed asylum after arrival.

Tighter visa controls, restrictions, requirements or scrutiny will be applied where we have evidence of abuse, based on a clear assessment of the risks.

Measures to ensure that other governments play their part in supporting the integrity of the UK immigration system – particularly where there are currently barriers in the way of us returning their nationals.

Foreign national offenders (FNOs)

Reform the deportation system to ensure the Home Office is informed of all foreign nationals convicted of offences – not just those who go to prison.  

Review deportation thresholds to take into account a wider range of factors than just the length of sentence, and start by revising the statutory exceptions criteria to ensure that the deportation test reflects the seriousness of violence against women and girls.  

English language

New English language requirements will be introduced across a broader range of immigration routes, for both main applicants and their dependants, to ensure a better knowledge of English, including an assessment of improvements over time.  

Earned settlement and citizenship

The new measures will double the standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years.