Comparing UK and US Immigration Reforms and the Future of Skilled Worker Visas

Last updated: February 1, 2026

UK and US Immigration Reforms: Earned Settlement and Asylum Restrictions

Introduction: The Global Shift Toward Selective Immigration Systems

As countries like the United Kingdom and the United States continue to grapple with the complexities of immigration, immigration policies in both countries are undergoing sweeping changes. These reforms reflect a larger global shift toward more selective immigration systems, focused on skilled workers, economic contributions, and integration rather than family reunification or humanitarian relief.

In this analysis, we will examine recent immigration reforms in both the UK and US, focusing on:

• The UK’s new Earned Settlement model and its impact on migrants seeking long-term residency
• U.S. asylum restrictions and the evolving pathway for skilled migrants
• Healthcare sector visa trends and how the two countries handle essential workers in a post-pandemic world
• Global migration trends that may influence the future direction of immigration policies

UK’s Legal Migration Overhaul: A 50-Year Shift

Earned Settlement: The New Path to Permanent Residency

The UK government’s most significant immigration overhaul in nearly 50 years has introduced a new framework for migrants seeking permanent residency or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The key feature of this overhaul is the “Earned Settlement” system, which makes the pathway to settlement more selective. Migrants will now need to demonstrate economic contribution, social integration, and a clean criminal record to be eligible for settlement.

• Settlement wait increased: For many migrants, the wait to apply for settlement has doubled from 5 years to 10 years. This will apply to approximately 2.6 million migrants who arrived in the UK after 2021.
• Stricter settlement requirements: Migrants who rely on benefits will face a 20-year wait for settlement, the longest in Europe. Migrants on post-Brexit health and care visas will now face a 15-year wait, up from 5 years.
• Penalties for exploitation: Those found exploiting the system or failing to meet new economic and social criteria will face delays, while high-skilled workers in sectors like healthcare can fast-track their settlement in as little as 5 years.

These reforms underscore the UK’s growing shift toward selective immigration, which prioritizes economic contribution over family reunification and seeks to reduce reliance on social welfare.

Health and Care Worker Visa: A Critical Path for NHS Workers

As part of the immigration reforms, the Health and Care Worker visa continues to be a crucial pathway for skilled healthcare professionals. The visa allows doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers to come to the UK to fill essential roles within the NHS and adult social care sectors.

What’s Changing for Health and Care Workers?

While the Health and Care Worker visa previously allowed workers to settle in the UK after 5 years, the new reforms extend this to 15 years for workers in lower-paid sectors. However, doctors and nurses working in the NHS will still be eligible for settlement in 5 years.

This change aligns with the broader push for economic self-sufficiency and aims to ensure that only those contributing to the UK’s economy through high-value work will have the opportunity to settle permanently.

U.S. Immigration Trends: Evolving Asylum and Skilled Worker Visa Systems

Supreme Court Case: Asylum Restrictions for Border Arrivals

In the U.S., immigration policy continues to evolve with the ongoing Supreme Court case examining whether asylum seekers who arrive at the southern border without first seeking protection in a third country can be denied asylum. This case highlights a key challenge in the U.S. asylum process: whether the government can impose restrictive measures that significantly limit the flow of asylum claims at the border.

• Impact on asylum seekers: If the Court rules to restrict asylum eligibility for individuals who cross through other countries, future asylum seekers may face more limited access to U.S. protection pathways. This would effectively make it more difficult for many migrants to claim asylum at the southern border, particularly from Central America.
• Asylum restriction policy: This policy shift follows broader efforts to limit migration from regions like Mexico and Central America. The U.S. is increasingly focused on controlling immigration by tightening the asylum process for border arrivals, while still offering pathways for those who meet the new restrictions.

Skilled Worker Visas and the Economic Migration Focus

While the U.S. asylum process faces restrictions, skilled worker visas remain a vital component of U.S. immigration. The H-1B visa, which allows foreign professionals to work in the U.S. in fields like technology and healthcare, is a key pathway for high-skilled immigrants.

• Focus on skilled workers: The U.S. immigration system continues to prioritize skilled professionals, particularly in healthcare and technology. Recent data shows that over 90% of H-1B visa holders are in specialty occupations, with a large proportion working in healthcare and tech sectors.
• Employment-based pathways: Similar to the UK, the U.S. focuses heavily on employment-based immigration to fill gaps in sectors like healthcare, where the demand for qualified workers continues to grow.

Global Trends: The Shift Toward Selective Immigration Models

Both the UK and the U.S. are increasingly focused on selective immigration systems, which prioritize:

• High-skilled workers in key sectors
• Economic contribution as a pathway to permanent residency
• Social integration as a requirement for long-term settlement

The UK’s Earned Settlement model and the U.S. employment-based visa systems (like the H-1B and Health and Care Worker visas) both underscore the growing preference for self-sufficient immigrants who contribute to the host country’s economy and society. This selective immigration model is becoming the new standard for Western countries as they seek to balance economic growth with social welfare concerns.

Conclusion: What These Changes Mean for the Future of Global Migration

The UK and U.S. reforms signal a major shift in how both nations view immigration and settlement. The focus is no longer just on family reunification or humanitarian protection, but on ensuring that immigrants contribute to the economic prosperity of their new home countries.

In the UK, the Earned Settlement reforms will likely lead to a reduction in long-term migration from low-wage workers, while encouraging high-skilled professionals to settle in the UK. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the asylum restrictions and skilled worker visa emphasis suggest that migration flows will increasingly depend on economic need and professional qualifications rather than humanitarian considerations.

These trends will shape the future of immigration, with both countries moving toward more economically-driven migration pathways, leaving family reunification and welfare dependency less central to the immigration process.

Caveat

The content in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the application of the law to specific situations may vary. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives for advice on their individual circumstances. Immigration Monitor does not provide personalized immigration services or legal representation.