LONDON – The United Kingdom on Friday unveiled significant changes to its immigration laws following revisions to its asylum policy, introducing longer waiting periods for permanent residency.
Under the new regulations, legally arriving immigrants may have to wait up to 20 years to obtain permanent residency, while those who enter the country illegally could face a 30-year wait.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria. They must have a clean criminal record, demonstrate English proficiency at the A-level standard, and have no outstanding debts in the UK. The new rules will also apply to immigrants already residing in the country.
The settlement periods would vary across different categories of applicants. Mahmood said the minimum residence period required before applying for permanent residency will increase from 5 years to 10 years.
The doctors and nurses serving in the NHS would only be able to apply for permanent residency after completing 5 years of service. Highly skilled individuals might qualify through a fast-track system while the entrepreneurs and high-income earners would be eligible to apply after 3 years.
Minister Mahmood emphasized her goal to transform the UK’s “broken” immigration system into a fair and integrated structure. She added that her own parents had moved to the UK for a better life and later became citizens.
UK tightening immigration with strict English language requirement: Details inside
