A new immigration policy and law have come into force in the United Kingdom. The changes are part of the government's overall strategy to reduce irregular migration, strengthen border controls, and reshape the paths to work, protection and settlement for migrants, refugees and those seeking to live in the UK.

Here are the main changes at a glance:

1. Healthcare worker visa

The UK’s work visa system remains points-based, but recent reforms focus on stricter eligibility, higher salary thresholds, and more rigorous employer sponsorship requirements. These changes are intended to prioritize skilled migration while reducing the number of low-skilled or temporary visa routes. 

For the several professions that can fall under the broader category of healthcare workers, several changes have been introduced. These changes differ depending on the healthcare profession.

Health and Care Worker Visa (Nurses & Qualified Health Professionals)

• Visa route for health care workers that include qualified doctors, nurses, and some adult social care professionals
• Eligibility requirements:

1. Included in the government list of healthcare professions
2. Requires a certificate of sponsorship meaning a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office
3. Minimum salary requirements, typically around 25,000 British pounds
4. English‑language requirements

• What the visa allows:

1. Qualified visa holders are allowed to work, study, bring dependants (in most cases), and eventually apply for settlement after a qualifying period
2. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements

Care Workers & Senior Care Workers

• New applications from outside the UK are no longer permitted for care worker or senior care worker roles. This is because the UK is prioritizing hiring domestically instead of employing from overseas.
• Those already in the UK can continue to work and extend their visas under transitional arrangements until mid‑2028, if eligibility conditions are met.
• Job application: You can apply for jobs yourself directly via a jobs board listed on the official UK government website

1. NHS jobs
2. Find a job in social care

When looking for employment, the UK Home Office issued the following reminders:

1. Check if an agency has a strong track record and positive reviews from both candidates and employers.
2. Do not pay money to UK-based agencies to find work in the UK. This is illegal.

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2. Refugee and asylum

Asylum and refugee procedures are now more tightly controlled, with stricter evidence requirements and new review intervals. These changes aim to manage migration flows while ensuring that refugee applicants who meet the criteria still receive protection.

The biggest change to take note of is that refugee status will become temporary and subject to review every 30 months for all adults claiming asylum from today, the Home Secretary has announced. 

This rule applies to adults and accompanied children applying for asylum starting March 2, 2026.

In summary, this means that asylum is reviewed and renewed for all those refugees who still face danger in their home country. Those whose country has now become safe, and therefore no longer requires protection, will be expected to return home.

Under the old system, refugees were granted five years’ leave to remain and after that could apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the old policy has become a pull-factor linked to an increase in asylum claims, "including tens of thousands of illegitimate claims each year.

Read AlsoUK: 'Major changes' to asylum system announced

3. Settlement

The residency requirement before qualifying to settle in the UK with an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has been extended from 5 years to 10 years.

ILR, which is also called ''settlement'' gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you are eligible. The settlement visa route also opens up the path to apply for British citizenship.

There are various ways that a person may be eligible to apply for an ILR. Check the UK Government website for a complete listing here.

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