Overseas-born cricketers wanting to play for England now face an extended qualification period of seven years, an increase on the existing four year term.
The new regulation will apply to all male cricketers who begin residence in England after their 18th birthday.
For those living in England before they are 18, the period of qualification will be four years.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has come under fire recently from home and abroad for fielding several players in recent years who were born overseas, but qualified for their adopted nation under the four year-rule.
