Stricter rules for migrants: Britain revises permanent residence policy
29 September 2025 08:17
The United Kingdom is considering tightening the conditions for obtaining permanent residence for migrants. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the publication of the Reuters news agency.
According to the new proposals, applicants will have to prove their value to society, said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She will announce this on Monday during her first speech at the Labor Party conference as Home Secretary,
New requirements for permanent residence
Currently, most migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) after five years in the country.
However, the government plans to make the criteria stricter. According to Mahmoud, the new rules may stipulate that only those who
- pays social security contributions,
- have an impeccable criminal record,
- do not receive state benefits.
In addition, the requirement of a high level of English language proficiency and volunteer experience in the community is being considered.
Consultations on these changes are scheduled to begin later this year.
Political context
The initiative comes amid the growing popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which is actively advocating for stricter migration rules. The party recently announced that it is considering abolishing indefinite leave to remain and replacing it with a five-year renewable work visa.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Reform UK of developing a “racist policy” that involves mass deportations and, in his words, could “tear the country apart.”
Migration is a constant topic in British politics
Migration control remains one of the most sensitive issues for British voters.
It was the promise to reduce the number of migrants that was one of the key issues in the campaign for Britain’s exit from the EU in 2016.
However, after Brexit, the net inflow of migrants to the country reached record levels, making migration one of the central topics of political debate again.
