The Government has published a new immigration white paper, ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’, outlining significant future legislation to reduce net migration.
These reforms cover enforcement and various routes, including work, family, settlement, and student. The key changes are outlined below.
Sponsorship via the Skilled Worker route will be restricted to roles requiring a degree (RQF 6 and above), reducing the number of occupations that are eligible for sponsorship.
Salary thresholds will rise, and the Immigration Salary List, which provided discounts from salary thresholds, will be abolished and replaced with a new Temporary Shortage List, covering some occupations below degree level with long-term shortages.
The English language level for Skilled Worker visas will increase from B1 to B2.
New social care visa applications from abroad will close, although a transition period until 2028 will permit visa extensions and switching for those already in the country with working rights.
The Immigration Skills Charge (paid at assignment of a Certificate of Sponsorship) will increase by 32%.
The standard qualifying period for settlement in work routes will be increased from five to ten years, with a suggestion that individuals will have the opportunity to reduce this qualifying period based on their contributions to the UK economy and society.
The English language requirement for settlement will be increased from B1 to B2 across the majority of visa routes.
A new policy on bringing family members to the UK will be set out before the end of 2025.
Changes to English language requirements for adult family dependents will be introduced, including a new requirement for dependents of workers and students to achieve level A1, rising to A2 for extensions, and B2 for settlement.
A new bereaved parent route will also be created, allowing those staying in the UK as a parent of a British or settled person to settle immediately if their child passes away. When it comes to student sponsorship, the minimum pass requirement of each Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) component will be raised by 5%, and a Red-Amber-Green banding system will rate the BCA performance of a sponsor. Interventions, including recruitment limits and action plans, will be introduced for those at risk of failing. Graduate visas will be reduced from two years to 18 months.
It is important to note that the changes are proposals and not yet law. Many of these measures will require new legislation, which will take time to draft and implement.
Julianna Barker
Associate
Stone King LLP
