My Take | BN(0) visa holders deserve clarity on the pathway to a new life in the UK
Hong Kong people are precisely the sort of migrants Britain wants. Yet radical immigration reforms place fresh obstacles in their way
Britain’s crackdown on immigration accelerated last week with the unveiling of radical reforms which will make it more difficult for those embarking on a new life in the country to settle there. The sweeping changes will apply not only to asylum seekers but to migrants who have entered the UK lawfully since 2021. The goalposts are moving.
Tighter restrictions for people who relocate to the UK through legal routes, such as for work or study, are the subject of a 12-week consultation.
The aim, according to the government, is to prevent the dangerous deepening of divisions in society arising from unprecedented levels of immigration in recent years.
New requirements for those arriving on various visas are intended to ensure migrants given indefinite leave to remain have “earned it”.
Applicants will have to show they have made a meaningful economic contribution while integrating and engaging with British society. Good character and high English language standards will also be needed.
Most will have to wait 10 years for settlement, a status allowing successful applicants to live, work, study and access benefits. This new baseline is double the length of the current period.