Home Secretary Priti Patel is reportedly determined that an Australian-style system of immigration be introduced before the end of the year - to coincide with the end of Britain's transition period with the EU.
"We need to deliver change and businesses need to be prepared for uncontrolled migration of low-skilled workers to end this year.
"There is a clear drive for talented and skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK, but we also need to see a reduction in the number of unskilled workers entering the UK and that's why this will be coming to an end," the Daily Express reported.
The reports come as Boris Johnson called for the UK to be the "investment partner of choice" for Africa and said his government would put "people before passports".
This could adversely impact businesses, with the Confederation of British Industry previously warning that companies need "at least two years to adapt to any new immigration system".
The UK's existing immigration plan drawn up under Theresa May would have provided a temporary extension of EU rules after the Brexit implementation period, which comes to an end on 31 December 2020.
