UK unveils immigration overhaul plan. Nigerians, others may be affected

The UK government has formally presented to parliament its long-awaited White Paper, “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System.” The paper outlines a total overhaul to reduce net migration and tighten rules across all visa routes.

The document, released by the Home Secretary on Monday, comes amid growing public discontent over record-high immigration figures, with net migration hitting 906,000 in the year ending June 2023, four times the level recorded in 2019.

While announcing the major immigration changes on Monday, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, described the plan as a “clean break from a broken system,” asserting that settlement in the UK would no longer be a time-bound right but a privilege to be earned.

“Migration is part of Britain’s national story,” Mr Starmer said. “But if people want to come here to start a new life, they must contribute, learn our language, and integrate. We will restore control and common sense to our borders.”

According to the prime minister, “If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English. That’s common sense. So we are raising English language requirements across every main immigration route.”

In recent years, the UK’s immigration system has seen repeated reform attempts, especially after Brexit ended freedom of movement from the EU. The introduction of the points-based immigration system in January 2021 marked a major shift, aiming to attract high-skilled migrants while creating uniform rules for EU and non-EU nationals. However, the lowering of skill and salary thresholds under this system contributed to rising numbers of work and dependent visas, particularly in sectors like social care. Net migration climbed to a record 906,000 by mid-2023, fueling public concern and prompting calls for tighter controls. The 2025 White Paper represents the most comprehensive reset of UK immigration policy since Brexit, focused on control, economic contribution, and integration.

Key Provisions of the White Paper

The 130-page policy paper lays out a comprehensive reform agenda, including:

Extension of Settlement Threshold: Migrants will now be required to spend 10 years in the UK before being eligible for settlement, double the previous five-year threshold, unless they can demonstrate significant and sustained contributions to the economy or society.

Stricter English Language Requirements: New English proficiency standards will be mandatory across all visa categories, including for dependants, to improve integration and reduce exploitation.

Tightened Skilled Worker Visas: The threshold for Skilled Worker visas will be restored to RQF Level 6 (degree-level), with the number of eligible occupations reduced by 180. The controversial 20 per cent salary discount for shortage occupations will be scrapped.

Post-Study Visa: As part of the reforms, the government will also reduce the duration of the post-study work visa under the Graduate Route from two years to 18 months, tightening pathways for international students.

Closure of Care Worker Visa Route: The Health and Care Worker visa for social care roles will be phased out by 2028 due to concerns over systemic abuse and poor employment conditions in the sector.

Temporary Shortage List Introduced: Access to migration routes for lower-skilled roles will now require a formal workforce strategy and approval by the Migration Advisory Committee, creating a new gatekeeping mechanism.

Earned Settlement and Citizenship: Automatic access to indefinite leave to remain or citizenship will be abolished. Only migrants who make demonstrable contributions over time will be eligible to apply. This means the UK government is removing the current system where migrants can automatically apply for permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) or citizenship after a fixed number of years, but now under the new system, migrants will need to spend 10 years in the UK before being eligible to apply for settlement, unless they qualify for fast-tracking due to being high-skilled workers or making major economic or societal contributions).

The White Paper also explained employer responsibility and mandated that companies seeking to sponsor workers must show evidence of investing in domestic talent. It made provisions that show enforcement will be strengthened and pathways perceived as “backdoor routes to settlement” will be closed.

Political and Economic Context

The Labour government’s pivot on immigration marks a significant policy shift and attempts to repair what it describes as the “loss of public trust” under the previous Conservative-led administrations.

The document cites multiple socio-economic pressures, ranging from stagnating GDP per capita to declining apprenticeship numbers and increased housing strain, as justification for the reforms. According to the paper, despite high migration, the UK’s GDP per capita has remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the new strategy was anchored on five principles: reducing net migration, linking immigration with skills and training, enforcing rules, ensuring fairness, and supporting integration.

“This chaotic system is unsustainable,” the Home Secretary noted in the foreword. “We will replace it with one that is rules-based, fair, and reflective of our national interests.”

What Comes Next

The White Paper signals the beginning of a new era in UK immigration policy. While implementation will require further legislative action and regulatory updates, the direction shows the UK is tending towards fewer migrants, higher thresholds, and a shift toward long-term integration over short-term labour solutions.

Further announcements are expected in the coming months, particularly around asylum and border control reforms.

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Implications for Migrants, Students, and Employers

The changes outlined in the UK’s immigration White Paper are expected to reshape the landscape for migrants, students, and employers. For international students, particularly from countries like Nigeria that consistently rank among the top non-EU student-sending nations, the reduction of the post-study work visa from two years to 18 months may alter education and migration plans.

For migrants already in the UK or those considering relocating, the shift toward “earned settlement” means time spent in the country will no longer automatically lead to permanent residency or citizenship but instead, a longer stay of ten years, proof of economic contribution, and greater language integration will be required, potentially making the UK a less accessible destination for lower-income or lower-skilled workers.

Employers, particularly in sectors like social care and hospitality that have heavily relied on foreign labour, will face stricter sponsorship rules and higher salary thresholds. Universities may also feel the ripple effects as tighter regulations on international students and potential levies on institutions that rely heavily on them will impact the financial sustainability of higher education in the UK and its global competitiveness.

Overall, the reforms signal a deliberate shift in the UK’s migration policy, from one that emphasised numbers and openness to one centred on contribution, integration, and control.