![\"November](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_274813007-f404.jpg\")
\n\t\tHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week unveiled a new \u2018contribution-based\u2019 reforms to the UK\u2019s immigration system (Picture: MEGA)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week unveiled a new \u2018contribution-based\u2019 reforms to the UK\u2019s immigration system (Picture: MEGA)<\/p>\n
This week the Home Office unveiled \u2018sweeping changes\u2019 to the UK\u2019s immigration system.<\/p>\n
Under the new regime, designed to mirror successful measures taken in Denmark<\/a>, asylum will become temporary and migrants will have to wait longer to claim indefinite leave and citizenship.<\/p>\n Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood<\/a> said the new scheme would curb the recent \u2018unprecedented\u2019 wave of migration and prioritise \u2018contribution, integration and respect for the British sense of fair play\u2019.<\/p>\n The changes come after ministers took interest in the Danish model where, under centre left prime minister Mette Frederiksen, 95 per cent of asylum seekers are turned away and claims are at their lowest level in 40 years.<\/p>\n With Reform waiting in the wings and having dominated the summer<\/a> with promises of tough action, Ms Mahmood will be hoping her new measures help turn the tide on Labour\u2019s fortunes as it trails Nigel Farage<\/a>\u2019s party by up to 15 points in the latest polls.<\/p>\n But what do the new rules mean for the UK and people wanting to come and settle here? Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s politics newsletter, Alright Gov?\t\t\t<\/p>\n Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t Ten years for permanent status<\/strong><\/p>\n Top of the changes in the Government<\/a>\u2019s \u2018earned settlement\u2019 scheme are new rules for those wishing to permanently settle in the UK.<\/p>\n Most migrants will now have to wait 10 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain, double the current period of five years.<\/p>\n The change will affect nearly two million migrants who arrived in the UK since 2021<\/a>, often referred to as the \u2018Boriswave\u2019.<\/p>\n Exceptions will be made for those who make \u2018strong contribution to British life\u2019, including doctors and nurses working in the NHS.<\/p>\n Hong Kong citizens will British national (overseas) visas will also continue to enjoy the current five-year rule.<\/p>\n Also exempt are migrants with existing settled status within the UK.<\/p>\n Restrictions on benefit claimants<\/strong><\/p>\n The Home Office<\/a> has also announced that those who exploit the system will be subject to penalties.<\/p>\n Migrants who are reliant on benefits face a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent status.<\/p>\n Further proposals would deny migrants benefits until they have been naturalised and are British citizens.<\/p>\n Those found to have entered illegally or have overstayed their visa will be banned from applying for permanent settlement for 30 years.<\/p>\n More favourable terms for talented migrants<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s better news however for migrants deemed talented and on high pay, who will only have to wait five years before they can apply to stay permanently.<\/p>\n The shorter timeframe will also apply to doctors and nurses in the NHS.<\/p>\n \t\t Migrants on Global Talent or Innovator Founder visas may only have a three-year wait for settlement.<\/p>\n Incentives may also be offered to those who \u2018integrate\u2019 better into British society, such as by learning English and volunteering.<\/p>\n While \u2018transitional arrangements\u2019 may apply to those already in the UK, the new contribution-based rules are intended to affect all those who have yet to claim indefinite leave.<\/p>\n Tougher rules for refugees<\/strong><\/p>\n Refugees, on the other hand, now have a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent status.<\/p>\n Until then they will be granted leave for 30 months, extendable for as long as their home country is deemed unsafe.<\/p>\n Under the Denmark-inspired asylum reforms, support for migrants will become discretionary and withheld from certain people, including criminals and those who can work<\/a> but refuse to do so.<\/p>\n \t\t Those will sufficient assets and income will be required to make a contribution themselves under the new policy.<\/p>\n Refugees will also not be automatically entitled to family reunion.<\/p>\n Furthermore, financial support will be provided to those who agree to leave voluntarily, while sanctions will be imposed on countries that fail to co-operate with repatriating their citizens, including a suspension of visas for that country.<\/p>\n Finally, the new rules will require migrants wishing to make an appeal to submit all their claims at once to one panel<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_275170626-4457.jpg\")
\n\t\tUnder new rules many migrants will have to wait up to 10 years before they can apply to stay permanently in the UK (Picture: NurPhoto)
\nWhat are the UK government\u2019s new immigration rules?<\/p>\n![\"3B1XA25](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_275170640-bb23.jpg\")
\n\t\tMigrants may be able to apply for settlement sooner if they demonstrate \u2018integration\u2019 into British society such as through learning English and volunteering (Picture: Alamy)<\/p>\n![\"Migrants](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_93595764-e25a.jpg\")
\n\t\tMigrants being brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat after attempting to cross the English Channel (Picture: Reuters)<\/p>\n
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