Major Immigration Reforms in the UK – Residency Requirement Extended to 10 Years

In a significant development for overseas residents, including Pakistani nationals living in the UK, the British government has announced sweeping reforms to its immigration system. The changes were introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer with immediate effect.

One key change is extending the required stay for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — commonly known as permanent residency — from 5 years to 10 years. This new rule will directly impact individuals seeking long-term settlement in the United Kingdom.

The Social Care Worker Visa route has been closed in a major shift, and new overseas recruitment for this sector has been halted. The government says the move is intended to prioritise the local labour market and reduce dependency on foreign workers.

Further updates have been made to various visa categories. Applicants for the Skilled Worker Visa must now possess at least a graduate-level degree. Additionally, the Post-Study Work Visa has seen its duration shortened from 2 years to 18 months, impacting international students wishing to stay in the UK after their studies.

The English language proficiency requirement has also been raised, moving from B1 to B2 level, meaning applicants must now demonstrate a higher level of fluency in English to qualify for various visa categories.