UK to Double Wait for Permanent Residency, With Exemptions for Care Workers
Published
The United Kingdom has announced plans to double the time that migrants must wait before they can apply for permanent residency. The change would mean that many people living and working in the UK would need to stay for a longer period before they could settle in the country permanently.
Under the proposed rules, the waiting period for indefinite leave to remain, which is the UK's form of permanent residency, would rise from five years to ten years for many visa holders. The government says the aim is to reduce net migration and to make sure that people who settle in the country contribute fully to British society. Ministers have argued that the current system allows people to gain settled status too quickly.
However, the plan includes some exemptions. Care workers, who play an important role in supporting elderly and disabled people, would be treated differently and would not face the longer wait. The government has said this is because the care sector has struggled to recruit and keep staff. Other groups may also be given special treatment, although the full details have not yet been confirmed.
The proposals have raised questions from campaigners, employers and some politicians. Supporters say the changes will help control immigration and protect public services. Critics say the longer wait could make it harder for skilled workers to build a future in the UK and could discourage people from coming to work in key industries. The government has not yet set a final date for the changes to take effect, and the proposals may be debated in Parliament before they become law.
Sources: Al Jazeera
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