By Andrew MacAskill and Sam Tabahriti
LONDON, November 2 (Reuters) – The United Kingdom on Monday unveiled sweeping reforms to its immigration system, requiring some migrants to wait 10 years or more before they can settle in the country, while at the same time providing facilitated paths for some caregivers to ease a political dispute.
The reforms are the latest attempt by the government to tighten rules after the sharp rise in arrivals in the wake of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
But the government’s efforts to harden the rules drew negative reactions from unions and from segments of the Labour Party, which is in power, prompting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to reduce the standard qualifying period for those working in the health and social care sectors from 10 to 5 years.
Although high earners have the right to settle in three years, the stricter restrictions were reserved for those arriving in small boats crossing the English Channel.
“Those who contribute the most will settle faster,” Mahmood said. “Those who do not follow the rules will have their applications refused or will have to wait longer.”
Previously, legal migrants had to wait five years before receiving indefinite leave to remain, which allows people to live and work in the United Kingdom permanently and to be entitled to some social benefits.
But the government argued that the changes were necessary because it was expected that around 350,000 low-skilled workers and their dependents, who arrived after Brexit, would become eligible for settlement in the coming years.
Under the new rules, the majority of people will now have to wait 10 years before they can apply for permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
However, health and social care workers will still be able to apply for settlement after five years, provided they meet certain criteria, such as a high level of English, no criminal record, and evidence of payment of social security contributions.
Those who earn more than £125,000 or who hold certain visas will be able to settle in three years. Anyone who arrives illegally in a small boat will have to wait up to 30 years.
The changes come in response to voters’ demands for reduced immigration and after Reform UK, Nigel Farage’s populist party, led a campaign for tougher migration controls.
