UK to end care worker visas and tighten immigration rules.

The UK government has announced new immigration policies aimed at reducing the number of people moving to the country and regaining control of its borders. One of the major changes is ending social care visas, which allowed foreign workers to take up jobs in the UK’s health and care sector.

The reforms were introduced in the Immigration White Paper and include tighter visa rules, higher pay requirement, and longer waiting periods for permanent residency and citizenship. The government says these changes will support skilled workers and reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign labour.

“Access to the points-based immigration system will be limited to occupations where there have been long-term shortages, on a time-limited basis… and where employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce,” the government said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told Parliament: “Britain has been strengthened by people coming to start new businesses, study at universities… But to be successful and fair, our immigration must be properly controlled and managed.” She also promised to “bring net migration down and… turn the page on chaos.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and UK’s Prime Minister added, “Migrants make a massive contribution,” but warned the country could become an “island of strangers” without tighter rules. He said he wanted migration numbers to fall “significantly” before the next election, expected in 2029.

Under the new rules, foreign workers will need a university-level degree to qualify for skilled jobs. International students will also face stricter visa conditions, and adult dependents must prove they can speak English. The time required to apply for permanent residency will double from five to ten years, though high-skilled workers who follow the rules may be fast-tracked.

The announcement has caused worry in some sectors. Martin Green from Care England said closing social care visas is “a crushing blow to an already fragile sector,” calling the decision “short-sighted” and “cruel.”

The UK will also give itself new powers to deport foreign nationals who commit crimes and plans further steps through a new Border Security Bill now in Parliament.