Migrants will need to reside in the UK for ten years before becoming eligible to apply for British citizenship, under sweeping government reforms aimed at curbing dependence on overseas workers.
The current five-year residency period is set to double, though exemptions will be made for individuals deemed to offer a “high contribution” to the economy or society, such as professionals in key sectors.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil the proposals today as part of the long-awaited Immigration White Paper, which will outline further plans to bring net migration down.
The measures come alongside tougher English language requirements across all visa categories, now including adult dependents for the first time.
In a press briefing, Starmer will say: “This is a clean break from the past. Settling in Britain should be a privilege earned through contribution, not an automatic right. Integration, including language acquisition, must be part of the commitment.”
The changes are being introduced amid increasing political pressure over migration levels, especially following the rise of Reform UK in recent opinion polls.
Despite a dip from the record net migration figure of 903,000 in June 2023 to 728,000 by mid-2024, the numbers remain significantly higher than the pre-Brexit peak of 329,000 in 2015.
Under the new “contributions-based model,” permanent settlement will generally be granted only after a decade of lawful residence, unless applicants can demonstrate a significant and lasting impact on British society or the economy.
Professions likely to qualify for fast-track settlement include doctors, nurses, engineers, and experts in artificial intelligence, according to the Home Office.
While specific criteria are still under development and will be subject to public consultation later this year, early indications suggest those in priority sectors or paying higher tax contributions may be eligible for accelerated status.
Community leaders and individuals making “outstanding contributions” may also benefit from reduced residency thresholds.
Additionally, the government will tighten English proficiency standards across all immigration routes. For the first time, adult dependents will be required to meet a basic level of English, aimed at boosting integration and employability.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to provide further clarification in Parliament on Monday.
However, immigration experts remain sceptical about the short-term effectiveness of the changes.
Dr Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, noted that extending the settlement period is unlikely to have a major influence on migration trends.
“There is no evidence that settlement timelines affect initial migration decisions,” she said, though she acknowledged the move could increase visa fee revenue and make permanent settlement more difficult.
Dr Sumption added that the enhanced language rules could have a more tangible impact, particularly as dependents accounted for over half of skilled worker visa grants in recent years.
Still, without data on how many of these dependents would pass the proposed language tests, the scale of the effect remains uncertain.
The Home Office has not yet projected how much these policies will reduce migration numbers, though further details are expected in the coming days.
