UK tightens immigration rules: What migrating UAE expats must know
From job bans to longer wait for residency, UK’s new rules make settling tougher for all
Dubai: From Monday, moving to and settling in the UK just got significantly harder.
The UK government rolled out first wave of sweeping immigration reforms aimed at slashing migrant numbers, and this includes banning overseas recruitment in some sectors and narrowing the list of eligible skilled jobs.
For many UAE-based professionals with dreams of relocating to the UK, the goalposts are shifting—and fast.
Among the most immediate changes:
No more UK work permits for care workers hired from abroad
Fewer job roles qualify for sponsorship under skilled worker visas
And that’s just the beginning. The UK is also proposing:
Stricter rules for universities enrolling international students
Higher English language requirements for migrants and their dependents
Cutting short the post-study work visa
And possibly doubling the wait time for permanent residency from five to ten years
So what’s changing first?
From July 22:
The UK Home Office will shrink the list of sponsor-eligible jobs. Many medium-skilled roles (RQF level 3–5) will be removed—unless exceptions are granted.
Care workers can no longer be recruited from overseas, although those already sponsored will remain unaffected.
These steps aim to prioritise British workers and reduce reliance on foreign labour.
What else is coming?
Several proposals are still under consultation:
A levy on foreign student tuition income at UK universities
A shorter graduate visa, from 2 years to 18 months
A higher English proficiency threshold for visa applicants and dependents
And the biggest change: doubling the time required to settle permanently, from 5 to 10 years—unless one qualifies early through an “earned settlement” path (criteria still pending).
Will this affect UAE residents?
Yes—especially those:
Applying for care jobs in the UK (now banned)
Looking at medium-skill roles (eligibility just got tougher)
Planning to study in the UK (universities face tighter rules)
Hoping to move families (language rules may apply to dependents too)
Waiting to settle (the 5-year timeline could be scrapped)
If you're already in the UK or on a path to settlement, it’s unclear whether the longer timeline will apply retroactively. A consultation is ongoing, but early signs point to tougher benchmarks even for current visa holders.
Do these rules need UK approval?
Most don’t. Many changes, including visa eligibility and job sponsorship updates, are being enforced through rule amendments—not parliamentary votes. Only major proposals, like the tuition levy or naturalisation reforms, will need a full vote.
Final word?
If you’re a UAE resident considering a UK move, it’s time to reassess your plans. The UK is pivoting to a high-bar immigration model—prioritising domestic labour, tightening student access, and slowing down settlement pathways.
Planning ahead, consulting a registered immigration adviser, and staying updated on rule changes is now more important than ever.
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