Update on the Changes to the Immigration Rules (October 2025)
- Fernanda Stefani
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
By: Omayemi Mac-Jaja
In May 2025 the Home Office announced in its White Paper that changes to the Immigration Rules would be introduced. Following this announcement, some changes have come into force, others are expected before the end of the year, with the balance due in 2026.
A quick recap on the changes to the Immigration rules referred to above are outlined below:
A reduction in the list of eligible jobs under the Skilled Worker Visa route
On 22 July 2025 the Home Office reduced the types of jobs which migrants can be sponsored for by employers with appropriate sponsor licences. It is however expected that a further review will be carried out by the Migration Advisory Committee by the end of 2026. The Migration and Advisory Committee is the body responsible for advising the UK government on migration related matters, such as labour shortages, immigration routes as well as the economic and social impact of immigration in the UK.
Closure of the Care Worker route
The UK government took the view that the Care Worker route was being abused and as a result it was closed to new entrants on 22 July 2025. Those already on this Immigration route will be allowed to remain on it, however it will be phased out altogether when the last set of the migrants on it come to the end of their leave.
The Graduate visa route
The duration of a Graduate visa has now generally been reduced from 2 years to 18 months. The Graduate Visa route was never intended to allow foreign students remain in the UK indefinitely. It was designed to allow university students gain the necessary work experience they required over a 2-year or 3-year period and then switch into another Immigration category. The longer period of 3 years being for foreign students who study for a PhD. The change to the Graduate route will come into effect from 1 January 2026, however those who study for a PhD in the UK will still be allowed to remain in the UK for 3 years when they complete their degree programmes before being required to switch into a different Immigration category.
The English Language Requirement
Migrants applying to enter or remain in the UK as Skilled Workers, Scale – Up and High Potential Individual visa applicants will need to demonstrate they meet the new standard of English required, which is Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This change will come into force on 8 January 2026.
The current standard of English required is Level B1 CEFR in English Language proficiency is equivalent to a GCSE level in English. The new standard required at Level B2 corresponds more to an A Level standard of English. In other words, the English language requirement is being increased with the objective of reducing migration and ensuring that only those with a higher standard of English are able to apply to enter the Skilled Worker, Scale – Up and High Potential Individual Immigration categories.
Changes to the High Potential Individual
Changes to the High Potential Individual (HPI) route are expected to take effect from November 2025. At present, only graduates from the top 50 universities can apply for this 2-year visa, with an annual cap of 8,000 applications. The number of universities whose graduates will be eligible to apply for this visa route will be increased to include the top 100 universities. More importantly the number of people who can come to the UK with the HPI visa is expected to rise from 2000 to 4000 per year.
Global Talent routes
The government has stated that it intends to encourage the number of people entering the UK via this Immigration route in 2026. In its bid to attract more talent to the UK the government will set out an expanded list of prestigious prizes and update the endorsement criteria for architects and digital technology.
The Home Office has also confirmed that there will be a new endorsing body for digital technology applications.
Other changes
The Immigration Skills Charge is expected to rise by 32% from £364 to £480 for small employers and from £1,000 to £1,320 for large employers. The Home Office has not published a specific timetable for this change. It is however likely that it will take place within the next few months as the parliamentary approval process is due to commence shortly.
A new framework for family visas is also slated to be announced by the end of 2025.
Citizens of Botswana are now required to apply for visitor visas to enter the UK. This rule change was introduced from 14 October 2025, making them one of last select countries in Africa whose nationals could enter the UK without requiring a visa.
References:
Migrants will be required to pass A Level standard of English
Changes to UK visa and settlement rules after the 2025 immigration white paper
Have questions or want assistance with an immigration matter? Contact Senior Immigration Solicitor Omayemi Mac-Jaja today on Omayemi@stefanisolicitors.com or 020 8161 0518.
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