Starmer: Migrants Face 10-Year Wait for Citizenship Without 'Real Contribution'

[Social Media]

 

---

Migrants Face 10-Year Wait for Citizenship Without ‘Real Contribution’ Under Starmer’s Immigration Reform

 

Migrants could face a wait of up to 10 years before becoming eligible for British citizenship unless they can prove a “real and lasting contribution” to the UK, under new immigration reforms set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

 

In a long-anticipated immigration white paper, Starmer will announce the end of the current automatic right to apply for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship after five years. The new system will replace it with a more selective approach aimed at reducing net migration and rewarding those who contribute economically or through public service.

🚨LABOUR HOME SECRETARY REFUSES TO DEPORT THOSE WHO OVERSTAY VISAS

When asked Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says the polite approach of changing the rules and encouraging people to leave will help

When asked if you will force them on to planes.
Your answer should have been YES pic.twitter.com/1aznIEWqcl

— Basil the Great (@Basil_TGMD) May 11, 2025

 

Only migrants who can demonstrate meaningful contributions—such as paying taxes, working in the NHS or other public services, or performing exceptional voluntary work—will be allowed to apply for permanent residency earlier than the 10-year mark. Indefinite leave to remain grants access to welfare, free healthcare, full civic rights including voting, and the right to a British passport.

 

The changes reflect similar reforms in Denmark and are part of a broader effort to bring net migration down from 728,000, the figure recorded in the year to June 2023. The move also seeks to counter rising pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which capitalized on public frustration over immigration in recent local elections.

 

Tougher Language and Skill Requirements

The white paper also raises English language standards for skilled foreign workers. While current requirements are equivalent to GCSE level, new applicants must meet A-level (B2) proficiency, demonstrating the ability to communicate “fluently and spontaneously” across social, academic, and professional settings.

 

This standard will apply not only to workers but also to foreign students and anyone seeking permanent residency or citizenship. Dependents of migrants will now need to pass a basic A1-level English test to enter the UK and progress to A2 after two years if they wish to extend their stay.

 

Care Worker Recruitment Curtailed

From later this year, care homes will be barred from hiring directly from overseas. Instead, they must recruit from a pool of around 40,000 foreign nationals already in the UK on expired or cancelled care visas, or hire British staff.

 

“They are here and care companies should be recruiting from that pool of people, rather than recruiting from abroad,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “We are closing recruitment from abroad.”

 

 

Cooper emphasized that the government will also work on long-term strategies to build the domestic workforce and introduce a new fair pay agreement for care staff.

 

However, the move drew criticism from care sector leaders. “International recruitment wasn’t a silver bullet, but it was a lifeline,” said Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England. “Taking it away now, with no warning, no funding, and no alternative, is not just short-sighted – it’s cruel.”

The number of care and health visas issued has already dropped from 151,500 in the year to January 2024 to 28,700 a year later.

 

Criminal Offences and Deportation

New measures will require all crimes committed by foreign nationals to be reported to the Home Office—not just those resulting in prison sentences of over a year. This increases the likelihood of deportation for lower-level offences and could affect migrants who failed to disclose prior overseas convictions.

 

Other Reforms

The graduate visa route will be tightened. Currently, foreign students may remain in the UK for up to two years after graduation without needing a job. Under the new rules, they must secure graduate-level employment to remain.

 

Labour’s plan also reintroduces graduate-level qualification requirements for skilled worker visas. Lower-skilled workers may still enter the UK through a points-based system but only in government-designated critical sectors like IT, engineering, and construction, and on a temporary basis.

 

Despite the changes, Labour will not set a numerical migration cap. “We’ve had many targets, promises from Conservative governments in the past, all of which have been broken,” said Cooper. “That’s why we’re not taking that… specific-target approach.”

 

However, the Conservatives plan to challenge Labour’s position. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Keir Starmer pretends to be tough… Now he says that immigrants who make no contribution should still be allowed to stay.”

 

Press release
Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-05-13

 

 

[proton]

The real Starmer

 

 

[JonnyF]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Despite the changes, Labour will not set a numerical migration cap. “We’ve had many targets, promises from Conservative governments in the past, all of which have been broken,” said Cooper. “That’s why we’re not taking that… specific-target approach.”

 

Weak.

 

You won't set a numerical cap because this is all one big dog and pony show. Lip service.

 

You have no intention to limit numbers and you will not deport after 5 years or any other timeframe. Nobody believes Yvette Cooper or Two Tier Keir Rodney Starmer. 

 

 

 

[Denim]

As usual from ANY government , all measures taken will be completely wide of the mark.

 

Politicians put the S in stupid. 

 

They want to present statistics and figures to the public to demonstrate a crackdown on migrants.  So who do they crack down on to achieve this ? Illegals crossing the channel in rubber boats ?  Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

People applying through the proper channels with all the correct paperwork to fill vacancies in the NHS and careworker sector ? Yesssss.

 

Pathetic.  Well, at any rate , Starmers policies will play right into the hands of Farage and Reform UK. 

 

In future , anyone with elderly relatives will end up sleeping on the floor next to granny Thai style if she needs to go into hospital.

[Bkk Brian]

Starmer strikes again at the most vulnerable who can't fight back.

 

"A crushing blow" is how Care England described government plans to scrap the social care visa scheme, which allows carers from abroad to work in the UK. 

 

https://news.sky.com/story/restricting-staffing-during-shortage-has-the-care-sector-worried-13366178

[coxyhog]

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Starmer strikes again at the most vulnerable who can't fight back.

 

"A crushing blow" is how Care England described government plans to scrap the social care visa scheme, which allows carers from abroad to work in the UK. 

 

https://news.sky.com/story/restricting-staffing-during-shortage-has-the-care-sector-worried-13366178

My mother is in a care home & we've seen a rise in the already astronomical fees due to Liebour's NI raid on employers.

Starmer & his clowns haven't got a clue.

[lavender19]

Just jump on a dinghy. You're welcomed with open arms  . I honestly can not listen to that whiney little creep. 

[connda]

Unless you land in Dover in a rubber dingy and then you are fast-tracked to UK citizenship. And while you wait you get free lodging in a 5 star hotel, free medical, free food, and a stipend.  In the meanwhile, British Gen-Z sleeps rough on the streets unable to afford rent or the cost of living.

[connda]

8 minutes ago, coxyhog said:

My mother is in a care home & we've seen a rise in the already astronomical fees due to Liebour's NI raid on employers.

Starmer & his clowns haven't got a clue.

Wealthy Brits need illegal migrants to subsidizes their ageing parents assisted living fees.  Nice! 

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Wealthy Brits need illegal migrants to subsidizes their ageing parents assisted living fees.  Nice! 

They are not illegal immigrants. They come on a care visa. What makes you think you have to be wealthy to contribute to the care?

[harryviking]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

---

Migrants Face 10-Year Wait for Citizenship Without ‘Real Contribution’ Under Starmer’s Immigration Reform

 

Migrants could face a wait of up to 10 years before becoming eligible for British citizenship unless they can prove a “real and lasting contribution” to the UK, under new immigration reforms set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

 

In a long-anticipated immigration white paper, Starmer will announce the end of the current automatic right to apply for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship after five years. The new system will replace it with a more selective approach aimed at reducing net migration and rewarding those who contribute economically or through public service.

 

Only migrants who can demonstrate meaningful contributions—such as paying taxes, working in the NHS or other public services, or performing exceptional voluntary work—will be allowed to apply for permanent residency earlier than the 10-year mark. Indefinite leave to remain grants access to welfare, free healthcare, full civic rights including voting, and the right to a British passport.

 

The changes reflect similar reforms in Denmark and are part of a broader effort to bring net migration down from 728,000, the figure recorded in the year to June 2023. The move also seeks to counter rising pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which capitalized on public frustration over immigration in recent local elections.

 

Tougher Language and Skill Requirements

The white paper also raises English language standards for skilled foreign workers. While current requirements are equivalent to GCSE level, new applicants must meet A-level (B2) proficiency, demonstrating the ability to communicate “fluently and spontaneously” across social, academic, and professional settings.

 

This standard will apply not only to workers but also to foreign students and anyone seeking permanent residency or citizenship. Dependents of migrants will now need to pass a basic A1-level English test to enter the UK and progress to A2 after two years if they wish to extend their stay.

 

Care Worker Recruitment Curtailed

From later this year, care homes will be barred from hiring directly from overseas. Instead, they must recruit from a pool of around 40,000 foreign nationals already in the UK on expired or cancelled care visas, or hire British staff.

 

“They are here and care companies should be recruiting from that pool of people, rather than recruiting from abroad,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “We are closing recruitment from abroad.”

 

 

Cooper emphasized that the government will also work on long-term strategies to build the domestic workforce and introduce a new fair pay agreement for care staff.

 

However, the move drew criticism from care sector leaders. “International recruitment wasn’t a silver bullet, but it was a lifeline,” said Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England. “Taking it away now, with no warning, no funding, and no alternative, is not just short-sighted – it’s cruel.”

The number of care and health visas issued has already dropped from 151,500 in the year to January 2024 to 28,700 a year later.

 

Criminal Offences and Deportation

New measures will require all crimes committed by foreign nationals to be reported to the Home Office—not just those resulting in prison sentences of over a year. This increases the likelihood of deportation for lower-level offences and could affect migrants who failed to disclose prior overseas convictions.

 

Other Reforms

The graduate visa route will be tightened. Currently, foreign students may remain in the UK for up to two years after graduation without needing a job. Under the new rules, they must secure graduate-level employment to remain.

 

Labour’s plan also reintroduces graduate-level qualification requirements for skilled worker visas. Lower-skilled workers may still enter the UK through a points-based system but only in government-designated critical sectors like IT, engineering, and construction, and on a temporary basis.

 

Despite the changes, Labour will not set a numerical migration cap. “We’ve had many targets, promises from Conservative governments in the past, all of which have been broken,” said Cooper. “That’s why we’re not taking that… specific-target approach.”

 

However, the Conservatives plan to challenge Labour’s position. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Keir Starmer pretends to be tough… Now he says that immigrants who make no contribution should still be allowed to stay.”

 

Press release
Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-05-13

 

 

The stupidity of the ruling politicians is mindboggling!!!

[RayC]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Weak.

 

You won't set a numerical cap because this is all one big dog and pony show. Lip service.

 

You have no intention to limit numbers and you will not deport after 5 years or any other timeframe. Nobody believes Yvette Cooper or Two Tier Keir Rodney Starmer. 

 

 

 

 

So what should that number be? 

[Photoguy21]

If you arrive without verifiable proof of where you came from they should be kicked out within a week and banned for life from ever coming to the UK.

Real refuges do not thrown their identification documents in the channel.

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

So what should that number be? 

 

Well Ray, when the bath is overflowing with water I believe it's prudent to turn off the tap before trying to make the sides higher.

 

Obviously it's difficult to put a specific number on it (which is precisely why you asked the question) but I will humour your attempts to be "clever". Given the ridiculously high numbers over the last decade and the social issues that has caused in terms of housing, crime, the NHS, education, increased taxes etc. I (personally) would set an absolute maximum of 4,999 per year. But every single one would need to be thoroughly verified as a genuine asylum seeker, with a clean criminal record who is in real danger if we send him back to his home country.

 

With those checks in place, you'd probably end up with less than 1,000 genuine cases, all of which I would be happy to help.

[RayC]

37 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Well Ray, when the bath is overflowing with water I believe it's prudent to turn off the tap before trying to make the sides higher.

 

Obviously it's difficult to put a specific number on it (which is precisely why you asked the question) but I will humour your attempts to be "clever". Given the ridiculously high numbers over the last decade and the social issues that has caused in terms of housing, crime, the NHS, education, increased taxes etc. I (personally) would set an absolute maximum of 4,999 per year. But every single one would need to be thoroughly verified as a genuine asylum seeker, with a clean criminal record who is in real danger if we send him back to his home country.

 

With those checks in place, you'd probably end up with less than 1,000 genuine cases, all of which I would be happy to help.

 

You really don't like being challenged do you Jonny?

 

You criticised the government for not putting a figure on absolute numbers of immigrants and implying it was oh, so simple to do so - "You won't set a numerical cap because this is all one big dog and pony show. Lip service" - now it's, "Obviously it's difficult to put a specific number on it". Oh, what a difference a couple of hours makes.

 

To be fair, the difficulty of calculating a precise figure didn't faze you and after, no doubt, intensive research you came up with 4,999 immigrants per year as being the optimum number. Bravo. 

 

Now I know that my 'back of a fag packet' calculation couldn't possibly compete with your through investigation, but 25-30,000 immigrants arrived each year between 2020 -23 to work as carers. I would have thought that an attrition rate of 10% would be a reasonable assumption, so that would mean 2,500 - 3,000 leaving the industry each year. So that's 2 - 2,500 immigrants per year to work in all the other industries. I suppose at the same time as working as a doctor, these individuals could double up as hospital porters.

[brewsterbudgen]

Those with a wife already in the country and on the path to ILR and citizenship will hopefully continue on the same pathway?

 

Raising the level of English required will make it much more difficult for Brits to get settlement for their Thai partner, as many Thais struggle to pass the current A1 level test.