Changes to come in Immigration Rules

With the recent publication of the White Paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System” (published on 12 May 2025), which appears to emphasize restrictions on Corporate Immigration, it is crucial that individuals and businesses are informed about the immigration changes that may come in the near future.

What Are the Changes?

1. The government will lift the level for skilled jobs under the Skilled Worker Route back to RQF 6 and above for new applicants. Salary thresholds will rise. This would reduce the number of eligible occupations for a Skilled Worker visa by around 180 occupations.
2. The Immigration Salary List, which gives people discounts from salary thresholds, will be abolished.
3. The government will end overseas recruitment for social care visas. In line with wider reforms to skills thresholds, the government will close social care visas to new applications from abroad.
4. The Immigration Skills Charge for employers who want to sponsor workers will increase by 32%.
5. The ability for graduates to remain in the UK after their studies will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months.
6. Changes to family migration rules will include financial requirements, relationship requirements, and English language skills.
7. A clear framework will be endorsed by Parliament for those seeking to enter or stay in the UK—including on the basis of exceptional circumstances—who do not fall within family policies.
8. New English language requirements will apply across a broader range of immigration routes, for both main applicants and dependents (currently only the main applicant must pass).
9. The language requirement for Skilled Workers (and other routes where it applies) will increase from B1 to B2.
10. All adult dependents of workers and students must now meet a new English language requirement at level A1, with progression to A2 and B1.
11. The ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) English requirement will increase from B1 to B2.
12. The standard qualifying period for settlement will increase from 5 years to 10 years under the expanded Points-Based System.
13. Citizenship reforms will align with the 10-year earned settlement reforms. This builds on changes to settlement and citizenship rules under the Points-Based System.
14. The Life in the UK Test will be refreshed.

Which Visa Categories Will Be Affected by the Longer Qualifying Period?

Partners of British citizens or settled persons, individuals having the right to stay under the EU Settlement Scheme, and victims of domestic abuse will be exempt from this change.

When Will the Changes Happen?

There is currently no fixed date for any of the White Paper’s proposals to come into force. According to a government press release, some changes will be introduced “in the coming weeks,” while others will roll out “over the course of this Parliament” (i.e., by 2029).

For the proposal to extend the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, the White Paper says there will be a consultation “later this year.” This means changes will not take effect immediately. A consultation will also determine whether this change applies only to new applicants or to everyone not exempt.

Imagine being 4 years into your qualifying period for ILR, only to be told you need to wait another 6 years? Unbelievable, isn’t it? Let’s hope this only applies to new applicants.

The government also notes that some individuals may qualify earlier. Under the “earned settlement” proposal, a shorter pathway may be available for those who have made “Points-Based contributions to the UK economy and society.” However, what constitutes a contribution has not yet been defined.

Will There Be a Vote from Parliament?

Visa regulation revisions are implemented via Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules, which take effect automatically unless either the House of Commons or House of Lords votes against them within 40 days. In practice, there is usually no vote.

However, changes to the citizenship rules (including those related to the qualifying period) require primary legislation—meaning an Act of Parliament—and therefore will be subject to a formal vote.