LONDON, May 9, 2025 — Migrants seeking to live and work in the UK will soon be required to meet tougher English language standards and wait longer to settle permanently, under a new immigration crackdown being prepared by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
A white paper set to be published next week outlines sweeping reforms aimed at reducing record-high net migration figures, which hit 728,000 last year. The Labour Government’s proposed measures include raising the required English proficiency for work visa applicants to the equivalent of an A-Level — a B2 level under the Common European Framework — replacing the current GCSE-level requirement.
This new benchmark expects migrants to “express themselves fluently and spontaneously” and use English “flexibly and effectively,” signaling a significant barrier to entry for many prospective workers.
In addition to stricter language requirements, the government is expected to double the current five-year wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to ten years. This extension could affect thousands of foreign workers already in the UK or planning to come, especially those who spend time outside the country or fail to meet financial stability criteria.
The plans come in the wake of a strong showing by Reform UK in the recent local elections, where Nigel Farage’s party made sweeping gains, including taking control of the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary constituency. Both Labour and the Conservatives are now racing to present tougher stances on migration.
A government source said the new immigration framework will aim to “deliver a system that is controlled, selective and fair.” Alongside language and settlement reforms, the Home Office is also reportedly preparing to curb visa access for applicants from countries with high asylum claim rates — including Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka — based on the likelihood of overstaying or claiming asylum.
Although new work visa rules introduced by the previous Conservative government in early 2024 have already led to a sharp decline in applications, asylum claims have surged. In 2024, the UK recorded over 108,000 asylum applications — the highest annual total since records began in 2001.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “To tackle abuse by foreign nationals who arrive on work and study visas and go on to claim asylum, we are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals to identify them earlier and faster.”
The white paper is expected to ignite fierce debate in Westminster and beyond, with business groups, migrant advocates, and political rivals bracing for impact.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
