Friday 27 March 2026

Last updated on Friday 27 March 2026 and originally posted on Wednesday 21 May 2025 – to be amended as more information becomes available.

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 skills changes have been implemented for the Skilled Worker route, following the white paper release?
On 22 July 2025, the minimum skill threshold rose from RQF 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF 6 (degree level). Roles below RQF level 6 are now only eligible for sponsorship if they appear on the new interim Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or the expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL), where applicable.

To qualify for inclusion on the TSL, an occupation will eventually need to 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. Sectors relying heavily on overseas workers will eventually need to publish and implement workforce strategies to address labour shortages, reduce reliance on overseas workers, or risk losing sponsor status. Details on implementing these arrangements have not yet been finalised, although the interim TSL (based on existing data) commenced on 22 July 2025.

The MAC has indicated that Stage 2 of the TSL review process will conclude in July 2026 when it intends to publish recommendations to the Home Secretary on occupations to include on the updated list.

Salary levels for Skilled Workers also increased from 22 July 2025.

What salary changes are proposed for the Skilled Worker route?
From 22 July 2025, salary thresholds were updated in line with 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, including the following increased minimum thresholds:

• for Skilled Workers who entered the route from April 2024 onwards:
  • general salary threshold: £41,700 (increased from £38,700);
  • applicants with a relevant PhD: £37,500 (from £34,830);
  • new entrants: £33,400 (from £30,960);
• thresholds for Skilled Workers who entered the route before April 2024 increased to:
  • general salary threshold: £31,300 (from £29,000);
  • applicants with a relevant PhD: £28,200 (from £26,100);
• Skilled Worker settlement salary thresholds increased to:
  • general roles: £41,700;
  • ISL roles: £37,500;
  • migrants who entered the route pre-April 2024, or who are sponsored in a Health and Care role: £33,400.

Going rates for individual occupations were also updated to align with the latest ASHE data, and sponsors must ensure ongoing compliance with the revised figures.

What salary changes are proposed for other work routes?
Salaries for the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes also increased on 22 July 2025:

• Global Business Mobility route salary thresholds increased to:
  • Senior or Specialist Worker: £52,500 (from £48,500);
  • Graduate Trainee: £27,300 (from £25,410);
  • Expansion Worker: £52,500 (from £48,500);
• Scale-up route salary threshold increased to £39,100 (from £36,300).

Going rates for individual occupations were also updated in line with ASHE data, and sponsors must ensure compliance across all affected routes.

Will costs change for sponsors?
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) increased by 32% on 16 December 2025. This means most medium and large employers must now pay a total of £6,600 per sponsored worker for five years of permission, up from £5,000. Lower rates continue to apply for small employers and charitable sponsors.

What is happening to the social care route under the Skilled Worker route?
The Health and Care Worker route (part of the Skilled Worker route) closed to new overseas applicants on 22 July 2025, though those already in the UK can extend or switch immigration routes in-country until 22 July 2028.

What is the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)?
The TSL is intended to replace the Immigration Salary List (ISL) over time and will provide limited concessions for RQF 3–5 roles in specified shortage occupations.

Following the planned phase-out of the ISL (currently expected by 31 December 2026, subject to confirmation), sponsorship of roles below RQF 6 will only be permitted where the occupation is included on the TSL and only for a limited period and allocation.

To qualify for inclusion, an occupation will need to meet criteria including:

• demonstrated long-term shortages;
• endorsement from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC);
• an approved workforce plan; and
• employer commitments to domestic training and workforce development.

In addition, occupations on the TSL will not generally permit dependants to accompany sponsored workers, reflecting its time-limited and restricted nature.

How do the TSL and ISL differ?
The TSL includes roles identified as experiencing labour shortages and provides limited skill-level concessions, allowing sponsorship of RQF 3–5 roles where listed.

The ISL also permits sponsorship of RQF 3–5 roles but, unlike the TSL, it offers salary concessions as well as skill-level flexibility.

While the general Skilled Worker salary threshold for those entering from April 2024 onwards is £41,700 (or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher), ISL roles benefit from a reduced general threshold of £33,400 (with further reductions for certain cohorts).

Once the ISL is phased out, concessions will apply only under the TSL, which is more restricted in scope and duration and does not provide salary concessions or standard dependant eligibility.

How will the Student and Graduate routes change?
The Graduate route will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months for most graduates. This change has been introduced via Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1333 and will take effect from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates will continue to receive a 36-month grant.

The Autumn Budget 2025 also announced a new levy on universities relating to international student recruitment. According to Universities UK, this will be a flat fee of £925 per international student per year of study, applied to higher education providers in England from August 2028 (academic year 2028–29), with first payments made after completion of that academic year.

Are any routes being expanded for highly skilled migrants?
Yes.

From 22 July 2025, the number of Expansion Worker places for overseas businesses opening UK branches has doubled.

The Government also intends to increase allocations under the Global Talent route, introduce faster entry pathways for strategic sector experts, and simplify access for leading talent in science and design. From 1 July 2026, the Global Talent route will expand to include a new design pathway for exceptionally talented and promising professionals in the sector.

The Innovator Founder route is also under review to support university-based entrepreneurs.

The High Potential Individual (HPI) route has expanded, with a broader list of qualifying institutions and a 24-month stay for eligible graduates.

What changes are planned for family migration and exceptional circumstances?
The Government intends to reform the family migration framework as part of its wider immigration reform programme. While full details are not yet finalised, proposals indicate a structural overhaul of the current system, including:

• simplification and potential consolidation of the family migration rules;
• strengthened relationship and suitability requirements;
• updated guidance on ‘exceptional circumstances’; and
• measures intended to reduce reliance on grants outside the Immigration Rules.

The approach to Article 8 ECHR is also under review, with proposals indicating a stronger emphasis on immigration control and a narrower interpretation of ‘family life’, focusing primarily on immediate family members. However, these changes are not yet in force and are subject to further legislative and policy development.

What are the proposed changes to settlement and citizenship?
The Government has set out proposals for a shift towards an ‘earned settlement’ model, under which settlement may be accelerated for individuals who make significant economic or social contributions. Under these proposals, a standard qualifying period of up to ten years is envisaged, with reduced periods available in specified circumstances. Alternatively, negative factors may significantly increase the qualifying period for settlement.

A more detailed framework is expected to be introduced in phases, with implementation anticipated from autumn 2026, subject to further consultation and secondary legislation.

Further details on earned settlement are available here.

The Government has indicated that earned citizenship reforms will mirror changes make to settlement but has not yet provided further details as to what these provisions could entail. Announced citizenship-related reforms include:

• introduction of a points-based assessment for naturalisation;
• a revised Life in the UK test; and
• potential adjustments to fees and concessions for certain cohorts, including young people raised in the UK.

We shall provide further information on earned citizenship as details emerge.

What should sponsors do now to prepare for the Skilled Worker changes?
Sponsors are now operating within the post–22 July 2025 framework, which includes a higher skill threshold (RQF 6) and increased salary thresholds across all relevant routes.

Workforce planning should therefore focus on:

• assessing whether roles remain eligible under RQF 6;
• identifying whether any roles may qualify under the TSL;
• ensuring all sponsored salaries meet updated thresholds and going rates; and
• reviewing pipeline roles that may no longer be eligible for sponsorship under the revised framework.

These changes materially reduce the pool of eligible occupations and increase the cost of sponsorship. Employers should therefore reassess recruitment strategies and dependency on overseas labour.

How do the English language changes affect applicants and sponsors?
Sponsors should ensure applicants are aware of increased English language requirements across multiple routes. In particular, the rise to B2 for settlement may have long-term workforce implications in sectors reliant on international recruitment, and employers may need to factor in language progression planning.

Which of these changes apply to migrants already in the UK?
The increase in the Skilled Worker skill threshold to RQF 6 applies only to applicants entering the route after 22 July 2025. Individuals already granted Skilled Worker permission before this date may continue under the previous framework for extensions and related applications, subject to other applicable requirements.

Salary threshold increases apply to extensions and settlement applications made after 22 July 2025, with limited transitional protection. Migrants must therefore meet updated salary requirements at the point of further applications, even where they were previously sponsored under lower thresholds.

Some proposals – including potential changes to settlement qualifying periods – remain subject to consultation and may include transitional provisions. However, the final scope of application (including whether measures apply to existing migrants) remains under development and should be monitored closely.