Wednesday 21 May 2025

When was the Immigration White Paper published, and where can I read it?        
The White Paper, Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, was published on Monday 12 May 2025. The full 82-page document is available on GOV.UK here.

What changes are proposed for the Skilled Worker route?
The minimum skill threshold will rise from RQF 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF 6 (degree level). Roles below RQF level 6 will only be eligible for sponsorship if they appear on a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for occupations experiencing labour shortages. The TSL replaces the Immigration Salary List and applies on a capped, time-limited basis.

To qualify for inclusion on the list, an occupation must show evidence of long-term shortages, receive endorsement from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), operate under an approved workforce plan and involve employer commitments to domestic recruitment and training.

As a result of the increase in skill level, minimum salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker category are also set to rise, although no specific details were provided in the White Paper.

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will also increase by 32%. This means that employers will pay £6,600 for a five-year period of permission, up from £5,000.

Sectors relying heavily on overseas workers must publish and implement workforce strategies, aimed at addressing sector labour shortages to reduce reliance on overseas workers, or risk losing sponsor status.

What is happening to the social care route under Skilled Worker?

The social care worker route (part of the Skilled Worker route) will close to new overseas applicants, though those already in the UK can extend or switch visas in-country until 2028.

What is the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)?       
The TSL replaces the Immigration Salary List for RQF 3–5 roles. Sponsors will only be able to sponsor overseas workers in roles below skill level RQF 6 if the role is placed on the TSL, and only for a limited time and number of places. To qualify, an occupation must meet four conditions:

• long-term shortages;
• endorsement from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC – the body that advises the government on immigration policy);
• a workforce plan; and
• employer commitment to training UK-based workers.

How will the Student and Graduate routes change?       
The period of stay under the Graduate route (which enables international students graduating from UK universities to stay in the UK post-graduation) will be shortened from 24 months to 18 months.

The government will consult on a levy for universities that recruit international students and introduce new compliance and recruitment standards for student sponsors.

Are any routes being expanded for highly skilled migrants?    
Yes. The government intends to increase allocations under the Global Talent and other top skill routes, introduce faster entry pathways for strategic sector experts and simplify access for leading talent in science and design. It will review the Innovator Founder route to support university-based entrepreneurs and double the number of Expansion Worker places available to overseas businesses opening UK branches.

The High Potential Individual (HPI) route – for graduates of prestigious universities around the world to relocate to the UK – will expand, with double the number of qualifying institutions and a 24-month stay for eligible overseas graduates.

What changes are planned for family migration and exceptional circumstances?        
A new family migration policy will be introduced by the end of the year. It will apply to all UK residents seeking to bring family members here. Key changes include:

• new relationship and financial requirements to prevent forced marriage;
• extending Appendix FM rules to all dependants;
• strengthened ‘good character’ criteria;
• updated ‘exceptional circumstances’ guidance; and
• new protections for armed forces families under the Armed Forces Covenant.

The approach to Article 8 – right to family and private life – cases will be revised, to give greater consideration to the public interest as weighed against an individual’s family rights and limit the number of cases which are considered as ‘exceptional’ for the purpose of granting permission on compassionate grounds.  Furthermore, appeals in lawful entry asylum claims will be limited where no material change in circumstances has occurred abroad.

How will English language requirements be affected?
Minimum English language standards will increase across several routes:

• for routes already requiring English level B1 (including Skilled Worker) the level will rise to B2 (requiring a greater ability to understand complex language and engage in more fluent and spontaneous communication);
• adult dependents will need to demonstrate English at level A1 (beginner). They must meet A2 for extensions and B2 for settlement;
• the general English language requirement for settlement will also rise from B1 to B2.

What are the proposed changes to settlement and citizenship?           
The general residence requirement for settlement will increase from five to ten years. Faster routes may remain for those who make significant economic or social contributions. The five-year path for partners and children of British citizens will continue, but with stricter eligibility criteria.

New routes include:

• immediate settlement for bereaved parents of British or settled children;
• regularisation routes for care leavers turning 18 without immigration status.

Planned citizenship reforms include:

• a shift to an ‘earned settlement’ model, whereby those who make significant economic or social contributions should benefit from a shorter, 5-year residence period for settlement;
• points-based elements for naturalisation;
• a refreshed Life in the UK test; and
• possible fee reductions for young people raised in the UK.

When will these reforms take effect?

Specific timeframes have not been announced for introduction of the above-detailed changes. However, there have been some broad indications which are summarised in the table below.

Provision	Timing	Notes
Skilled Worker threshold raised to RQF 6; Immigration Salary List abolished	immediate/2025 (potentially over the next few weeks/months)	transitional rules apply to renewals and in-country switches
social care route closed to new overseas applicants	immediate/2025	existing workers may extend or switch in the UK until 2028
new English language requirements for dependants	immediate/2025	part of broader integration strategy
further asylum and border reforms	summer 2025	builds on current legislation
establishment of the TSL framework	phased/interim	depends on workforce strategies and MAC input
interim TSL using current shortage data	from 2025	transitional measure ahead of full TSL rollout
social care visa renewals and switches	until 2028	limited to migrants already in the UK
workforce strategy requirements for high migration sectors	medium term	needed to retain sponsorship rights
MAC review of salary thresholds and discounts	medium term	to support fair and skills-based design
Labour Market Evidence Group work	ongoing from 2025	will inform future immigration decisions
consultation on settlement residence period	later in 2025	will help define accelerated settlement routes

What should sponsors do now to prepare for the new Skilled Worker thresholds?
Employers should immediately review any roles they sponsor at RQF 3–5 and assess whether those roles might qualify under the TSL. High-recruitment sectors should begin workforce planning and develop training pathways to reduce reliance on overseas workers.

Employers should consider assessing whether any sponsored workers are close to their permission expiry and consider bringing their extension applications forward before the new rules and increased fees take effect.

It is also advisable to assess your current CoS allocation to ensure you have sufficient CoS if you wish to bring forward application submission dates. The Home Office is likely to anticipate increased requests for additional CoS in response to upcoming changes. Therefore, it is advisable to request any necessary in-year CoS allocation increases proactively, in case the Home Office imposes tighter restrictions.

Migrants already in the UK can usually extend or switch under transitional arrangements but may not qualify for settlement if their role falls below the new threshold. Sponsors should discuss these risks with staff and seek further guidance from the Home Office when released.

How will the English language changes affect applicants and sponsors?     
Sponsors should ensure all applicants are aware of the new requirements. They may need to support candidates with preparation time or English tuition where appropriate. In some sectors, the shift to English threshold B2 for settlement could impose an unrealistically steep language-learning curve on individuals, make it harder to retain staff in the long term.

When will the settlement and citizenship changes be introduced?
The increase to a ten-year residence requirement will be subject to consultation later in 2025. Other changes will follow, including ‘earned settlement’ and a revised Life in the UK test.

Which of these changes will apply to migrants who are already in the UK?
The increase to the Skilled Worker minimum skill threshold, from RQF 3 to RQF 6, will only apply to people entering the Skilled Worker route after these changes have been introduced. Individuals already in the UK under the route can continue benefiting from the rules currently in place, including those permitting lower-skilled roles.

Some reporting also indicates that the government is preparing to apply the 10-year qualifying period for settlement to those who are already in the UK, as well as to new applicants. This is likely to cause disruption for many migrants who are hoping to settle in the UK in the coming years. However, such a move will be subject to a public consultation and therefore transitional arrangements may yet be argued for and secured for migrants already in the UK.

It remains to be seen which other changes will apply only to new arrivals, and which will apply retroactively to those already in the UK.

Last updated on Wednesday 21 May 2025 – to be amended as more information becomes available.