United Kingdom announces migration reform based on individual merit

O The United Kingdom has today announced a migration reform based on individual merit, which also restricts the minimum requirements and deadlines that some migrants must meet in order to obtain permanent residence in the country.

“Permanent residence should not be automatic; it should be conquered,” said British Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood, during a show in the House of Commons, the British Parliament’s lower chamber, in which she detailed the plan of “residence by merit” (“earned settlement”), which sets the waiting times for residence based on the financial and civic contribution of each individual.

Until now, it was possible to apply for permanent residence in the United Kingdom after a minimum period of five years of stay in the country and, with the reform announced today, this waiting period will be extended, depending on different factors, up to a maximum of 30 years — in the case of refugees arriving in the country illegally.

For migrants who receive less than £50,000 (almost €60,000), the period required to apply for permanent residence will double from five to ten years, which will become the new minimum standard.

On the other hand, the British Minister of the Interior clarified that for those who earn a salary of more than 50 thousand pounds per year, or for workers in sectors considered “essential”, such as health or education, with a salary of at least 25 thousand pounds (almost 30,000 euros), the current five-year period for obtaining residence will be maintained.

Immigrants who receive an annual salary of more than £125,141 (almost €150,000) — a profile classified by the minister as an “exceptional contributor” to the financing of the country’s public services — may obtain permanent residence within a maximum of three years.

In addition, “disqualification” criteria for the permanent residence application will be considered: having a criminal record, not having an advanced level of English, having outstanding debts or not fulfilling a minimum period of three years of contribution to British Social Security.

“ I know that the people of this country want to continue to welcome real refugees. However, I also know that there is nothing fair about allowing dangerous and illegal immigrants into this nation,” Mahmood said, who is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, before explaining how migration reform will affect asylum seekers.

On the basis of these new plans, which aim to discourage the illegal entry of migrants through the English Channel, the minister announced that, for refugees arriving through legal and safe migration routes, the deadline for obtaining permanent residence will be five years; on the other hand, those arriving in the UK illegally will face a 20-year “inhabitation”.

In this base period of 20 years, more than 10 years will be added for applicants arriving in the country on small vessels via the English Channel.

However, if they are able to enter studies or get a qualified job, this time may be reduced to half.

The reform will not affect migrants who are already in the United Kingdom under the residence system in force before leaving the European Union (EU Settlement Scheme), nor members of the Armed Forces or persons with inherited British ties.

Following the disclosure of the details of Mahmood’s migration plan, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated in a statement that “it is fair” that those whose contribution is most valuable to communities should have the opportunity to obtain residence more quickly.

“ Those who perform other functions should agree to wait longer, while, for those who abuse the system or arrive illegally, access will be denied or will also have to wait longer”, he summarized.