UK PROPOSES MAJOR VISA CHANGES IMPACTING KENYANS AND OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS

The United Kingdom has unveiled sweeping immigration proposals that could significantly affect Kenyans and other foreign nationals seeking to study, work or settle in the country.
Under the new plans, the post-study Graduate visa period for international students will be cut from two years to 18 months, giving graduates less time to secure employment or switch to a work visa. PhD holders, however, will retain a longer stay.
The government also intends to end the overseas recruitment of care workers, closing a popular route for foreign caregivers, including many Kenyans. Existing care workers already in the UK will be allowed to remain under transitional arrangements until 2028.
In addition, migrants will be required to live in the UK for 10 years—up from the current five—before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Stricter English language requirements are planned for skilled workers and adult dependents.
The reforms also include the rollout of digital visas, replacing physical documents, alongside expected visa fee increases and a higher immigration health surcharge. Applicants from Kenya will soon process visas through VFS Global after a switch from TLScontact.
British officials say the changes, contained in the 2025 White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System, aim to tighten migration rules across the board and are not targeted at any specific country.
If implemented, the measures could make it more costly and time-consuming for Kenyans to study, work or gain permanent residency in the UK.