Monday 12 May 2025

The Government has published its long-awaited immigration white paper today, setting out its intentions for migration policy reforms, principally targeted at reducing net migration.

While the white paper outlines broad proposals, with many details yet to be confirmed, significant impacts can be expected.

We summarise some of the most substantive policies below – the full 82-page policy document is available here.

Work routes

• the skill level for the Skilled Worker route will be increased back to RQF 6 (degree level) from the current requirement of RQF 3 (A-level equivalent);
• sponsorship for lower-skilled roles will be time-limited, may be subject to a cap and will only be permitted for occupations where:
  • there have been long-term shortages;
  • the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has advised it is justified;
  • there is a workforce strategy in place; and
  • employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce;
• the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will be increased by 32%;
• employers will be incentivised to invest in boosting domestic talent. Employers who fail to invest in skills training for the resident workforce may be restricted from sponsoring overseas workers; and
• the route for social care workers will close to new applicants from abroad (transitional provisions until 2028, will permit extension applications and in-country switching for those already in the UK in other routes).

The change in eligibility from RQF 3 to RQF 6 will revert the UK immigration system to its pre-Brexit position, whereby migrants required skills at degree level or above. Combined with substantial fees for immigration applications, a 32% increase to the ISC and the recent restrictions on employers reclaiming costs from departing employees, these developments represent a significant shift in the economic migration landscape.

Graduates

• reduction in the period graduates from UK universities can remain in the UK for post-study work, from 24 months to 18 months; and
• proposal to expand the High Potential Individual (HPI) route enabling graduates of world-leading overseas universities to work in the UK, aiming to double the number of qualifying institutions.

Contrary to pre-publication reports suggesting the Graduate route faced full closure or major restrictions, the Government appears to have conceded to lobbying by the UK higher education sector.  However, students graduating from overseas institutions could now benefit from a longer period of immigration permission (24 months) under the HPI route than those graduating from UK universities eligible under the Graduate route.

Highly skilled talent and entrepreneurs

In contrast to the reductions sought in other work routes, the government is seeking to increase migration in very high skill routes.  Measures include:

• increasing the number of people arriving on high-talent routes;
• creating of faster routes for individuals with the right skills and experience to drive growth in strategic sectors;
• making it simpler for top scientific and design talent to access the Global Talent route;
• reviewing the Innovator Founder route to better support entrepreneurial talent currently studying at UK universities; and
• doubling the number of workers permitted under the Expansion Worker route for overseas businesses establishing a new subsidiary or branch in the UK.

Any change that makes the UK more attractive to highly skilled talent and entrepreneurs is a welcome step. In particular, the Innovator Founder route has seen low uptake, even among experienced entrepreneurs, due to its strict requirements.

English language requirements

• increase the English language requirements for Skilled Workers and routes already subject to a language test from B1 to B2 (Independent User) under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
• introduce a new A1 (Basic User) requirement for all adult dependants of workers and students (aligning with requirements for partners of British citizens) and moving towards an increased requirement over time;
• require applicants to demonstrate progression to A2 (Basic User) for extensions and B2 (Independent User) for settlement, imposing a potentially steep language learning curve on dependant family members; and
• increase the general English language requirement for settlement across most immigration routes from B1 to B2.

Settlement and citizenship

• increase the standard residence period for settlement from 5 to 10 years, whilst providing a shorter period for some applicants based on contributions to the UK economy and society (the white paper contains little detail on how this will be assessed); and
• retain the current 5-year settlement route for dependants of British citizens, whilst tightening some of the requirements.

The impact of the extension of the minimum UK residence period to qualify for settlement from 5 to 10 years will include increasing immigration costs for individuals and businesses.

We will publish further analysis on our website and social media channels in the coming days and weeks and more details on the proposal emerge.

Get in touch

If you have questions about how these proposals may affect you, your business or your family, please contact your assigned LDI lawyer or reach out to our Enquiries team at enquiries@lauradevine.com.