Great Britain tightens visa rules - Germans are also massively affected
From Jan Mies
London (UK) - The UK is massively tightening its immigration rules. The British government is presenting a so-called "Immigration White Paper" this Monday, which is also relevant for German citizens.
According to the government, Prime Minister Keir Starmer (62) will announce during a press conference that life in the UK is "a privilege" that must be earned.
The "care worker visa" for care professions, which was introduced to combat the care shortage, is therefore to be abolished in this form. For the central work visa ("Skilled Worker Visa"), a university degree is to be required again.
For professions that do not require this qualification, the residence permit is to be severely limited in time. Employers are to place greater emphasis on the qualifications of British workers.
The time limit for applying for British citizenship is also to be increased in principle from five to ten years. According to the government, those who can "demonstrate a lasting contribution to the economy and society" will be able to do so more quickly.
These include nurses, doctors, engineers and AI executives. There will also be higher requirements for English language skills.
Summit meeting planned between the EU and the UK
The background to the reform is in particular the change of government last year. Starmer will "announce the end of Britain's failed experiment with open borders", the government announced.
Following Brexit in 2020, immigration in the UK increased massively, contrary to the announcements of the governments at the time.
However, as a result of leaving the European Union , the majority of immigrants no longer came from European countries - entry even became significantly more complicated for EU citizens. This also affects younger people, for example, who want to come to the UK to study or for an exchange.
Travel freedoms between the EU and the UK are to be discussed at a summit meeting in London on May 19. Both sides are aiming for a rapprochement in several areas, including trade and military matters - but there will be no return to the pre-Brexit era.