Refugees will face stricter rules before they can settle permanently in the UK under sweeping changes to the asylum system announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, October 2.
The government confirmed that the current five-year route to settlement will be extended, and the automatic right for refugees to bring close family members to the UK will be permanently scrapped.
The reforms are part of a broader plan to “smash the business model of criminal people smugglers” and curb small boat crossings across the English Channel. Starmer said: “There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK, people will have to earn it,” in an official statement.
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Longer route to settlement with stricter conditions
Under the new rules, asylum seekers who are granted protection will still be entitled to core rights, including not being returned to their country of origin. However, the automatic path to indefinite leave to remain will be replaced with a longer, conditional route.
Migrants will need to demonstrate their contribution to the UK before qualifying for settlement. This includes having a clean criminal record, being in employment, making National Insurance contributions, learning English to a high level, avoiding welfare dependency, and actively engaging in community service.
“Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the channel in a boat,” UK prime minister said.
International cooperation on tackling Illegal migration
The reforms were unveiled ahead of the prime minister’s attendance at the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, where he is co-chairing talks on migration with European leaders.
The UK is set to announce new partnerships, including up to £3 million in funding to support job creation in Western Balkan nations to discourage onward migration. Additional contributions include £5.75 million under Italy’s Rome Process to reduce migration flows from African source countries and voluntary return schemes.
Meanwhile, cooperation with Germany will intensify, focusing on prosecuting smuggling networks and disrupting the supply of boats and equipment used for dangerous Channel crossings.
In a post on X, Starmer reiterated his stance: “There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK. Settlement is earned by contributing to our society, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the Channel. I am determined to make our asylum system fairer and smash the business model of criminal people smugglers.”
There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK.
Settlement is earned by contributing to our society, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the Channel.
I am determined to make our asylum system fairer and smash the business model of criminal people smugglers.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025
