The UK Government has released a new White Paper outlining major reforms to the country’s immigration system. These changes will affect Work and Student Visa rules, as well as the process for Settlement and Citizenship. Below is a summary of the key updates and what they may mean for individuals, families, and institutions.
One of the most significant changes will be to the Skilled Worker Visa route. The government plans to raise the required skill level for new applicants. Currently, jobs requiring A-level qualifications are eligible. Under the new rules, only jobs requiring a university degree, will qualify. This means around 180 roles will no longer be eligible for new visa applications.
However, not all lower-skilled roles will be closed off. A new “Temporary Shortage Occupation List” will allow certain roles to continue receiving visas on a temporary basis, but only in sectors where there are long-term shortages. Individuals already in the UK under Skilled Worker visas in these roles will still be able to extend their visas or change employers.
In addition to skill levels, the government also plans to increase salary thresholds for visa eligibility, although specific figures have not yet been published. The Immigration Skills Charge will rise by 32 percent. English language requirements for workers will be raised as well.
The White Paper also outlines plans to attract more highly skilled individuals through the Global Talent and High Potential Individual Visa routes. Although detailed proposals have not yet been released, the aim is to make it easier for top professionals from around the world to move to the UK.
One of the more controversial updates is the planned closure of Social Care Work Visas to new applicants. This change will not take effect immediately, as the government has proposed a transition period lasting until 2028. During this time, people already in the UK working in social care will still be allowed to extend their visas or switch roles, but the policy will remain under review.
For international students, further changes are being introduced following previous restrictions in 2024. The post-study “Graduate Route,” which currently allows students to stay in the UK for up to 24 months after completing their studies, will be reduced to 18 months. At the same time, universities and colleges that sponsor international students will face stricter requirements to ensure compliance with visa rules. A new levy will also be introduced on income received by higher education institutions from international students, with the funds reinvested into domestic skills training.
Another major reform involves Settlement and Citizenship Rules. The minimum period of residence required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be extended from five to ten years. However, a new points-based system will be introduced, allowing some individuals to qualify for settlement more quickly if they make strong contributions to the UK economy or society. The qualifying period for non-UK family members of British citizens will remain at five years.
There is still some uncertainty around when these changes will take effect. The White Paper does not provide exact implementation dates. It states that the changes will be introduced “over the course of this Parliament,” meaning they could be phased in any time between now and 2029. Some changes are expected to come into effect within weeks, though it is not yet clear which ones.
Another area of uncertainty is whether these changes, particularly the extension of the ILR qualifying period, will apply to individuals already living in the UK. The government has not confirmed this yet. However, the technical annex of the White Paper suggests that the Home Office is considering applying the settlement changes to individuals already living in the UK. Additionally, a research briefing by the House of Commons, references news from the BBC and the Financial Times indicating that the government may proceed with this approach, potentially introducing exceptions or transitional arrangements for individuals who are already close to meeting the requirements for settlement.
We will be monitoring these changes so please get in touch if you would like more information.