Channel migrants' 'golden ticket' to life in UK scrapped in 'asylum shopping' crackdown

Channel migrants granted asylum in the UK will have to earn the right to settle or bring their families over, under new plans to be announced by Sir Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister vowed to scrap the "golden ticket" to life in the UK, declaring that migrants must "earn" settlement, rather than "paying a people smuggler".

Successful asylum seekers granted refugee status will have to wait longer to apply for indefinite leave to remain, under new plans. Bringing it closer to new requirements for legal arrivals, asylum seekers could have to work, learn English, have a clean criminal record and contribute to their communities to earn indefinite leave to remain. And those who want to bring their family members to the UK could have to hit a financial requirement, such as a minimum salary or amount of savings, to qualify.

Similar measures have been adopted by other European governments.

The UK hopes that by effectively lowering what the UK offers, fewer migrants will attempt to cross the Channel.

A government source said: "We are acknowledging that there are people who are 'asylum shopping' across the continent, looking for the country that offers them the most.

"We have been criticised in this country for being too generous - creating a pull factor. Today, the Government is showing that we get it, that we have been overly generous, and that we will reduce the pull factors that see thousands attempting small boat crossings."

Sir Keir has vowed to scrap the "golden ticket" to life in the UK, declaring that migrants must "earn" settlement, rather than "paying a people smuggler".

New reforms could see successful asylum seekers wait longer to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to confirm the requirements in the coming weeks.

Refugees will also be stripped of their automatic rights to bring family members to the UK.

The Prime Minister wants to only give refugees "core protections" to prevent migrants 'asylum shopping'.

Refugees could be made to wait longer or meet a financial requirement to ensure they can pay their way if they want to bring their family members over.

Migrants could also be barred from getting ILR if their home country has become safer since they were granted refugee status.

Because refugee status typically lasts for five-years before people are expected to apply for ILR, they could be returned to their home country if it is safe.

Downing Street said the "changes will bring an end to the unfair system that sees those crossing the Channel in a small boat having greater rights to settlement and family reunion than those who arrive through proper legal routes and even British citizens".

Sir Keir said: "I believe that if you want to come to the UK, you should contribute to our society. That is the tolerant and fair approach to migration that our communities are built on, but the current system is not fit for purpose.

"That is why we're making fundamental changes to what those granted asylum are afforded in the UK. Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the channel in a boat.

"The UK will continue to play its role in welcoming genuine refugees fleeing persecution. But we must also address the pull factors driving dangerous and illegal small boat crossings. There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK, people will have to earn it."

The number of people claiming asylum hit 111,084 during Sir Keir's first year in office.

And Home Office records revealed the number of Channel migrants being deported has fallen under Labour.

More asylum seekers are also living in taxpayer-funded hotel rooms, with 32,059 migrants in hotels - up 8% compared to when Sir Keir's Government came into office - after a surge in small boat arrivals.

Some 111,084 people applied for protection in the year to June, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

This is up 14% from 97,107 in the year to June 2024 and nearly double the number in 2021.

The sharp increase was fuelled by a surge in migrants lodging claims after arriving on work and study visas and failed asylum seekers trying their luck after being rejected in Europe, experts said.

Home Office figures show 14,800 people claimed asylum after arriving on a student visa.

Another 12,200 arrived on a work visa, prompting more fears of widespread abuse.

Home Office sources have confirmed they have identified it as a "new route" into the UK and are scrambling to close the loophole.

The most common nationalities among asylum applicants in the year to June 2025 were Pakistani (10.1% of the total), Afghan (7.5%), Iranian (7.0%) and Eritrean (6.7%).

Shocking analysis revealed 90% of Pakistanis claimed asylum after travelling to the UK on a valid visa, while 87% of Bangladeshi applicants travelled to the UK legally.

A further 71% of Indian asylum applicants used a visa to travel to the UK, highlighting widespread fears over the abuse of the UK's generosity.

By contrast, 84% of Afghans who claimed asylum arrived by a small boat. Some 89% of Eritrean applicants arrived the same way.