UK New Immigration Rules & Reforms 2025

The Government has today published a white paper on 'Restoring Control Over the Immigration System' which sets out its plan on proposed reforms to overhaul the UK immigration system through new rules and laws to reduce net migration and take back control in a fair way. Given the content of the white paper this will be a radical pivot for UK immigration laws which will have a wide impact on migrants, communities, businesses and those connected with its implementation.

In the forward to the white paper, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer states the 'experiment' for inward migration is 'over'. 

The Government's intent expressed through the white paper is to introduce new immigration rules and laws to control migration in the areas of: 

    • worker/business routes
    • family routes
    • study routes
    • introduce new requirements relating to language to promote better integration
    • deal with asylum and illegal immigration through tougher laws and digitisation.

Given the length and detail of the proposed reforms to the UK immigration rules which covers 82 pages we outline the key changes and will provide immigration updates as and when these occur. 

The current immigration rules stand until further notice and therefore for those who are in a position to proceed with their immigration and nationality plans should do so. Legislation will be required to implement some of the more radical reforms to the proposed new UK immigration rules which will take time. However, it is possible the government will seek to change the current immigration rules through amendments which can be implemented quicker.

Our immigration lawyers are of course available to assist you and can be contacted through the contact form, email or telephone. 

Key Changes and Updates in the Immigration Policy

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper in her forward has outlined the key changes to the UK's proposed new immigration policy:

    • net migration to be reduced through a managed system
    • the UK immigration system to be linked to skills and training to prevent businesses relying on immigration
    • ensuring fairness in the system
    • encourage integration into the UK's culture.

The key changes in the white paper to the proposed immigration rules and laws are as follows: 

Graduate visa route to be reduced to 18 months - likely to impact new degree entry students but we will have to wait and see.

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) qualifying period to double from 5 to 10 years for those in the Points Based System routes. This will not only mean migrants will have to spend more time in the UK, but are likely to incur additional immigration visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge fees. How will this impact on those already here? It has been the norm for major changes to apply to new entrants and those in existing routes to be 'grandfathered' where the current rules remain. It is difficult to see how this can be imposed on those already here and would certainly result in major legal challenges. 

Employers will face higher charges when sponsoring Skilled Workers as the Skilled Worker Levy will be increased by 32% and will have to pay higher salaries to employ overseas workers, commit to increase training opportunities for the existing workforce. The care sector will face a stop to employing care workers and the phasing out of employing those already here through this route. The message is that UK workers will where possible be put first. 

Educational institutions will face more compliance measures which will mean increased scrutiny and in some cases will have to consider the impact on the local community. The forthcoming changes will increase the responsibilities on them to be gatekeepers and provide the Home Office greater powers to intervene to ensure compliance. 

The English language requirements are more or less going to increase across the board and the Life in the UK test is to be reformed. The net impact is migrants will face tougher testing on English language skills, possibly the Life in the UK test when applying for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship, and a message that integration is important if you are coming here to live.

The government is of course committed to deterring illegal entry into the UK through providing the authorities with more power to smash gangs and, of course, deal with illegal working. Legislation aimed at curbing asylum seekers to be introduced.

Impact on Employers and Businesses

The minimum skill requirement currently at NVQ Level 3 (A level level) will revert back to NVQ Level 6 (degree level) for an employer to sponsor a skilled worker.

Minimum salary requirements to employer skilled workers to rise - as a reminder salaries increased substantially in April 2024 through the previous government's reforms.

Immigration Salary List to be removed and no discounts (tradeable points) for salaries to be applied to skilled roles.

The Immigration Skills Surcharge to increase by 32% as there has been no inflation uplift since its introduction in 2017. For small business this means paying £480.48 instead of £364 per year and for larger businesses £1320 instead of £1000 per year - substantial increases for employers, particularly so given the recent increase to visa fees and to the issue of Certificates of Sponsorships (which recently increased from £239 to £525 i.e. 119%).

Care workers visas to stop but those currently here on this route will be able to extend or switch their visa until 2028 or earlier - one would assume they will be in demand during this phase out.

New Labour Market Evidence Group to make recommendations on jobs using data.

New workforce strategies for business sectors relying on immigration.

New Temporary Shortage List for those jobs below NVQ level 6.

Skilled jobs will need to be recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee on the proviso there are long term shortages, with time limits and workforce strategies are in place. 

Employers to boost labour from the UK workforce through skilled training and restrictions to be applied if they do not.

Increase options for the Highly Skilled to come to the UK to ensure the country remains an attractive place for talent.

Some UNCHR recognised refugees and displaced people will be allowed to apply for Skilled Worker visas.

Implications for International Students and Educational Institutions

Increase compliance requirements for Educational sponsors to maintain their licence.

Sponsors to ensure they are meeting targets of 95% for course uptake and 90% for course completion. 

New warning system rate through a traffic light system for sponsors - amber, green, red!

Actions plans for sponsors who are failing - if the sponsor is near the relevant traffic light then a plan will be put in place and could result in conditions and restrictions being imposed on recruitment.

Commitment to new framework when using agents to promote better standards and ensure genuine students are recruited.

Consider impact on the local community. This is likely to mean that the university has to consider the impact of student numbers on for example housing and public services.

Reduce the Graduate Scheme to 18 months, designed to provide overseas graduates with less time to secure work through the skilled worker route so that they must return home. This is likely to deter students from coming to the UK given the salaries required for them to secure a job following graduation through the skilled worker route unless they are looking into graduating in key employment areas.

Introduction of a levy on higher educational institutions with income being invested into skills training.

Changes in Family and Partner Visas

Migration Advisory Committee to consider the current minimum financial requirements - the White Paper notes the average family income is £27,200 p.a. whilst the current financial requirement is £29,000 p.a., if the system is going to become fairer then one can possibly foresee a reduction to around £27,200 in the minimum financial requirement so a respite in this area is on the cards but is not a given.

The pathway to Indefinite Leave to remain for those in partner routes will remain at 5 years.

New definition on relationship requirements, to provide more clarity on what is acceptable evidence for individuals to show they are in a genuine relationship.

Extension of the minimum financial requirements to other family routes for example to parents.

New bereavement route to settlement for those who have lost a child in the UK.

Review of the Life in the UK test requirements.

Parliament to decide what is exceptional in Human Rights cases. This is part of the governments commitment to take back control from the courts.

New Pathways to Citizenship and Settlement

Language requirements to increase from B1 to B2 according to the CEFR.

Dependants will need to undertake level A1 English language testing with further tests during the course of the visa to be determined.

Points Based System Immigration routes to double from 5 to 10 years to obtain ILR - a very significant change as referred to above.

Opportunities to reduce 10 year route above where there are contributions to UK society which is likely to result in a points based system and will possibly apply to nationality applications.

Important Dates and Transition Periods

It is important to note the white paper is a policy announcement not the law, so the current UK immigration rules and laws remain in force. 

The government will now prepare its case and the paper will be tabled in Parliament, no date on this has been set. It will then proceed through Parliament to be debated by both Houses and once passed will receive the Royal Assent to become law.

A white paper becoming law can take months and can spill over into years depending on Parliamentary time and processes. Whilst nothing is immediate and such an Act is unlikely to come into force until next year, the white paper does refer to the government using the immigration rules which is a different procedure, and although changes have to be debated in Parliament can come into force within months through immigration regulations instead of through an Immigration Act. 

About the Author

Evan Remedios is a solicitor and co-founder at RLegal solicitors and has practiced UK immigration law since the 1990's and has assisted many individuals through the immigration process.

"If you're looking for someone who combines deep legal expertise with empathy and genuine care, I can't recommend Evan and the RLegal team highly enough."

Reviews.co.uk reference Karen Balchin, May 2025.