UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major tightening of immigration rules aimed at significantly reducing net migration by the end of Parliament in 2029. The new policies, detailed in a government white paper, introduce stricter English language requirements for all visa applicants and their dependents, with the required proficiency level depending on the visa type. The qualifying period for settled status-the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely-has been doubled from five to ten years, though high-contributing individuals such as doctors and nurses may still qualify in five years. Watch for more
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