http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/no...tion-crackdown
The home secretary, Theresa May, is to end the right to permanent settlement for more than 100,000 skilled workers and overseas students who come to Britain each year.
May's speech also sought to row back on David Cameron's announcement – made during prime minister's questions on Wednesday – that 30,000 skilled migrants working for multinational companies would be excluded from the proposed immigration cap next year.
She made clear that one priority would be to cut the traditional link between temporary visas and permanent settlement, which she claimed was a route for "back door migration".
"No one is suggesting that those who come to marry legitimately should not be able to make the UK their permanent home," she said.
"But, under the current system, many skilled workers are allowed to apply to stay here permanently. In 2009, 81,000 people who entered the UK for employment were granted settlement.
"Home Office research shows that over one-fifth of students who entered Britain in 2004 were still here five years later. Many of those were only supposed to be coming for short courses in the first place."
