Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE:

The UK Government’s White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System, presented to Parliament in May 2025, outlines the most sweeping changes to the UK’s legal migration framework in over a decade. Framed as a response to record-high net migration and a perceived overreliance on international recruitment, the White Paper sets out a detailed and ambitious policy agenda aimed at reducing migration, tightening UK visa eligibility, and embedding migration policy within broader labour market, skills and integration strategies.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10267/

Summary of the proposed changes:

Work visas & skilled migration

1. Skilled Worker route raised to graduate level (RQF 6)
   Only degree-level roles qualify. Roughly 180 occupations—such as chefs, seafarers, many hospitality, retail, and care roles—will be removed from eligibility. Existing visa holders in lower-skilled jobs can still extend or switch until 2028 under transitional arrangements.
2. Salary thresholds lifted + removal of Immigration Salary List
   The previous salary concessions are scrapped, with general thresholds already increased (£38,700 in Apr 2024), and further rises expected.
3. Immigration Skills Charge increased by 32%
   Rise from £364 to ~£480 per visa year (small sponsors) and £1,000 to ~£1,320 (larger sponsors) to fund UK-based training.
4. Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
   A limited, time-bound route for below-graduate jobs in critical shortage occupations. Sectors must meet MAC advice, produce formal workforce strategies, and show effort to boost domestic recruitment. Workers on TSL will have fewer rights to bring dependants.
5. Adult social care visa closed to new applicants
   New overseas care-worker visas halted immediately. Until 2028, in-country extensions and switch permissions remain under review.
6. Enhanced global talent & innovation routes
   Global Talent and High Potential Individuals routes are to be expanded and streamlined to attract top-tier experts in areas like AI, life sciences, research, and expansion workers from overseas corporates.

Student & Graduate route changes

1. Post-study work visa cut to 18 months (from 24 months; PhD students excluded).
   Graduates still permitted work during this period but have less time to meet Skilled Worker criteria.
2. Tougher compliance for education providers
   1. BCAs tightened (+5% risk of non-compliance).
   2. Sponsors graded Red/Amber/Green.
   3. Mandatory participation in new Agent Quality Framework.
   4. Consider evaluating universities’ local housing and services impact.
3. Higher education levy under discussion
   A possible levy on international student income to support domestic skills training

Family migration & settlement

1. Stricter English language rules
   1. Skilled Worker & primary applicants: B1 → B2 CEFR.
   2. Adult dependants: new B1 at entry A1; extension A2; for ILR B2 required
2. Review of family visa income thresholds and suitability tests, with clear “exceptional circumstances” defined in family/private-life routes.
3. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) increased to 10 years
   Standard route extended from 5 to 10 years, with points-based “Earned Settlement” for high-contribution migrants. Dependants of British citizens remain 5 years.
4. Earned points-based citizenship
   ILR and naturalisation entry become contribution-based; Life in the UK test and rules will be refreshed; bereaved-parent and care-leaver routes introduced.

Enforcement, asylum, integration

1. Deportation tightened
   Minimum deportation thresholds relaxed: non-custodial offenders (including minor crimes) may now face removal; focus on serious violence, especially against women and girls.
2. eVisas & digital border control
   New eVisa and ETA systems with automated checks; biometric tracking to counter illegal working; civil penalties for non-compliant sponsors, banks, employers, and landlords.
3. Asylum & human rights reform
   Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to strengthen legislation, limit Article 8 human-rights safeguards, enforce age tests, remove support for late claimants.
4. Integration emphasis
   English competence, civic values, and contribution emphasised. New agencies like the Fair Work agency proposed to protect migrants and improve rights; employers must develop domestic-skills strategies .

Impact & intent

1. Net migration target: The UK aims to cut net migration by around 100,000 annually, primarily by cutting low-skilled work and student routes.
2. Political shift: Labour signals a tougher immigration stance—linking migration policy tightly to labour-market planning, domestic training and integration—blurring lines with previous Conservative reforms and populist rhetoric

Summary Table