Far-reaching changes to UK immigration rules

23 May 2025 | posted in Immigration law

This insight is part of our Legal Business News | Spring 2025 series. Explore the full series at the end of this piece.

Very much in the news recently, the UK government is proposing significant changes to the current system of UK immigration rules. Detailed in the government’s white paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, this move is being acknowledged as a targeted campaign to reduce the net migration figures.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, states in his foreword to the white paper: “Since this government came to power, visa applications are down nearly 40%. But now is the time to go further and faster.”

Summary of the changes to UK immigration rules

Here, we summarise the proposed measures. They include:

• increasing the minimum requirement for the skilled worker route to graduate level positions – to reduce the number of specified positions capable of being sponsored by approximately 180.
• increasing the immigration skills charge payable by employers, for each skilled worker position, by more than 30%;
• introducing an English language test for adult dependants as well as imposing a stricter test for applicants for both work and student routes;
• lengthening the qualification period to obtain indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years – creating an additional five-year payment of the immigration health surcharge (currently £1,035 a year per adult);
• stipulating that companies must increase training opportunities for domestic workers – to reduce their requirement for overseas workers;
• closing the social care visa route to new applications from abroad – although the transition period until 2028 will permit visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the country on this route.
• creating a new temporary shortage occupation list – to provide limited access for lower skilled roles but without any salary discounts;
• increasing salary thresholds for all visa holders seeking to bring in dependants;
• reducing the length of the graduate visa from two years to 18 months.

Help from the experts

The experienced immigration team at Moore SGD Law is here to guide prospective applicants through these latest changes to maximise their chance of a successful application. Contact us today.

This article is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on or treated as a substitute for specific advice relevant to particular circumstances.

Legal Business News | Spring 2025