UK reviews legal immigration laws, permanent residency procedures

LONDON, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- The British government announced Thursday a review of legal immigration laws and the introduction of stricter procedures for obtaining permanent residency, making them among the most stringent in Europe.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed to members of Parliament that the period required to obtain permanent residency will be extended from five to ten years.
She added that the decision will be applied retroactively to 2021, affecting approximately two million residents currently holding temporary visas.
She explained that the 616,000 residents who arrive between 2022 and 2024 on "unskilled labor" visas will be subject to an exceptional 15-year period before obtaining permanent residency.
She pointed out that the unskilled labor visa was permanently discontinued at the beginning of this year.
The Home Secretary said that the waiting period will reach 20 years for immigrants who rely on state social assistance, adding that eligibility for social assistance and housing will also be applied only after obtaining British citizenship rather than permanent residency.
She added that this period will increase to 30 years for those who entered the UK illegally or who remained after the expiry of their visas.
She confirmed that doctors, nurses, and highly skilled professionals will be exempt from these measures, as they will remain eligible to obtain permanent residency after five years, while businesspeople and owners of successful economic projects will be able to obtain permanent residency after only three years.
She said the new measures aim to build a fairer system for British society and for immigrants who have contributed to the UK's economy and public services.
The announcement of these measures comes days after the amendment of the asylum system, which made refugee status temporary and subject to review for a period of 20 years, meaning that refugees could be deported once the security situation improves in their countries of origin. (end) mrn.ao