United Kingdom, UK has revised its proposed immigration reforms, retaining plans to double the waiting period for most migrants seeking permanent settlement from five to 10 years while exempting hundreds of thousands of care workers from the extended requirement.
The revised policy, announced on Monday, follows opposition from trade unions and members of the governing Labour Party over the potential impact of the changes on low-paid foreign workers, particularly those employed in the care sector.
The British government had initially proposed last year that lower-skilled foreign workers should wait between 10 and 15 years before qualifying for permanent residency, officially known as indefinite leave to remain.
However, under the revised arrangements, hundreds of thousands of care workers will be exempt from the longer waiting period, retaining a five-year route to settlement, subject to eligibility requirements.
The exemption is significant for Nigerians working in Britain’s health and social care sector, which relies on foreign workers to fill staffing shortages.
Despite the concessions, the reforms will still double the standard qualifying period for permanent settlement from five to 10 years. The changes, expected to take effect next year, will also apply retrospectively to migrants already living and working in Britain.
