New rules making migrants wait longer to qualify for a permanent settlement in the United Kingdom will apply to people already in the country, under the government’s plans.
On Monday, the government announced that immigrants should now generally live in the United Kingdom for 10 years before asking for the right to stay here indefinitely – double the period of current five years.
It was not clear if it would apply to around 1.5 million foreign workers who have moved to the United Kingdom since 2020.
The BBC understands that a document published in the coming weeks will clearly indicate that the government is preparing to apply the 10-year qualification period to those who are already in the United Kingdom as well as to new visa candidates.
This decision will be subject to a public consultation.
A government source said that the interior secretary Yvette Cooper has been dealing for some time by virtue of the current five -year process, he should be a significant increase in requests for settlement and citizenship in the coming years, reflecting the sharp increase in immigration in the first years of this decade.
A policy document published on Monday said that he would continue a five-year qualification period for people who are non-UK of British citizens.
There will also be shorter qualification periods for people who can show that they have contributed to “the economy and society” of the United Kingdom.
The announcement was part of a wider set of measures set out on Monday to reduce legal migration.
Net migration – the number of people from the United Kingdom less the number of departure – climbed a record of 906,000 in June 2023, and last year it was 728,000.
In a speech on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the measures would mean that “the regulation becomes a privilege that is won, not a right, easier if you make a contribution, if you work, pay and help rebuild our country.”
Some labor deputies have raised concerns about the possibility of longer periods of qualification for the regulations could apply to people already in the United Kingdom.
Florence Eshalomi, who chairs the committee of housing, communities and local governments, said that the deputies said that the lack of clarity had left some of its “naturally worried” voters, with one to tell him that they were considering leaving the United Kingdom “because their status established here is in danger”.
In response, Cooper told deputies that the government would establish more details later this year, with a consultation to follow.
The migration observatory said that a 10-year route to the regulations would make the United Kingdom more restrictive than most other high-income countries comparable to Switzerland and Japan.
He said that this decision should not significantly affect migration levels, but this would lead to more visa income for the home office because people on temporary visas pay continuous costs.
Migrants will also face longer periods without the rights that accompany a permanent settlement, which includes the right to live, to work and to study in the United Kingdom as long as they are desired and to request services.
Permanent regulations can also be used to request British citizenship.
Enny Choudhury, co-legal director of the joint council for the well-being of the Immigrant Binegishment organization, said this decision was “cruel betrayal”.
“These are our neighbors and friends. They have already built their lives in the United Kingdom, and to move the goal posts now will plunge a lot into a deepened uncertainty and trauma,” he said.
“We need a system that offers people a clear, affordable and compassionate way to the regulations.”
