The Labour government of UK has formally announced extreme ameliorations on the immigration policy making permanent residency even more miserable. The waiting time for PR has increased from five years to a decade. Foreign nationals will be obliged to meet the stricter parameters of meeting English language proficiency, continued and consistent national insurance contributions and voluntary work for some community.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the revised regulations will act to rebuild confidence in the system in view of illegal migration problems and its effects on the local job market along with this policy, the government has included plans for digital ID which will allow better management of migration.
What will it impact on Indian Workers in the UK?
Indians are one of the largest groups of migrants in Britain as workers and students, so the new changes will have far-reaching effects on them. Longer wait for residency brings with it greater financial and emotional uncertainty, especially for families hoping to carve a long-term future in the UK. Government statistics on December 2024 show that 975,100 Indians were on UK payrolls and thus are the largest employed foreign national group.
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Most visas granted to Indian nationals last year were for health and care worker roles followed by skilled worker visas. This has impacted Indian professionals who already suffer with rising visa costs and living expenses.
What are statistics of 2024 UK issued Work Visa?
In 2024, the UK issued 81,463 work-related visas to Indian nationals, less than half than in 162,655 in 2023. In India, 34,954 were primary applicants while 46,409 were dependents. The decline in visas runs contrary to an earlier agreement between India and the UK that introduced cost savings for companies sending staff abroad such as exemptions from UK social security contributions under the Double Contribution Convention.
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While believed to help Indian IT and financial firms, the new residency rules could negate such advantages. In the meantime, Britain has imposed a cap on the number of cultural professionals like chefs, yoga instructors and musicians coming in every year with a ceiling of a maximum of 1,800.
What are Digital ID Plans?
The prospect of a digital ID system faced mixed responses with the Scottish government publicly stated its disapproval adding it would in the future resist any compulsory identification. Proponents argue that digital IDs would streamline access to services such as welfare, tax records and driving license’s while lessening the use of forgery in the employment market. Opponents, including Reform UK, have called it a shallow attempt to look tough on illegal immigration. Public opinion remains divided in its debate reflecting greater tensions around migration, security and personal freedom.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Verify UK immigration and digital ID policies with official government sources before making decisions.
