The effects of Theresa May’s plans for the immigration system as outlined in her speech.

On the 05 November 2010 in her first major speech on immigration, the Home Secretary has covered various points on government policy, managing numbers in the economy's interest, and her idea of ensuring that only the brightest and the best can come to the UK.

Speaking to an audience of key immigration partners at London's Policy Exchange, she reiterated the coalition government's commitment to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands by the end of this Parliament.

She made it clear that this could not be done through the points-based system alone,.

She added that the previous government's proposed policy of earned citizenship - which she described as 'too complicated, bureaucratic and, in the end, ineffective' - would not be implemented.
Among the Home Secretary's priorities are:
1.encouraging more entrepreneurs and investors to come to Britain;
2.putting a stop to abuse of the student route; and
3.cutting the link between those who come here temporarily and permanent settlement.

Her plans will include

The limit on migration:

Limiting the number of people travelling to the UK from outside the EU for work.The interim limit placed on this has reduced the figures for this by 5% this year and the full limit will reduce this number again next year. Businesses have been told that this cap does not affect intra company transfers as this will not be included in the annual limit. The limit is going to change each year in response to economic and social conditions.

Tightening the eligibility rules:

Alongside the overall limit their will be tighter rules for eligibility in order to apply in the first place.

Due to research showing that many people entering the UK through the Tier 1 or Tier 2 routes are earning low salaries, are not highly qualified or are not highly skilled The Home Office want to take action to raise the minimum skill levels in Tier 2 and ensuring those coming to do skilled work will be undertaking a suitable job with a sponsoring employer.

Managing applications from foreign students

A more robust system will be put in place to manage applications for suitably qualified students with the genuine desire to study, and importantly to ensure their departure at the end of their legitimate stay.

This system will require that those students who can bring an economic benefit to Britain’s institutions and can support Britain’s economic growth will be let in and the same principle as in the skilled work route – a more selective approach will be followed which the Home Office hopes will attract the highly skilled, but reduces numbers overall.

The requirements will be stricter for student applications.

Minimum standards of English for those applying for marriage visas:
From November 29th, those applying for marriage visas will have to demonstrate a minimum standard of English

The Home Office will be reviewing language requirements across the immigration system with a view to tightening them further."

There will now be a requirement that foreign spouses will need to have a minimum level of competence in the English language before they are able to obtain a marriage Visa and that on a general basis the Home Office are in the future going to make the requirements for English Language stricter in all immigration categories.

Making it harder for temporary stays to become permanent:

The Home Office will not implement Labour’s policy of earned citizenship.

They want to review the policy of people gaining settlement in the UK after working or studying after a set number of years.

It is therefore likely that the policy on the requirements for settlement will change and become harder. On the whole we can expect from this speech that the thresh hold for obtaining various visa’s and settlement applications have been made considerable higher and will get tougher.