On 12 May 2025 the UK Government announced many new reforms to its current immigration system. The White Paper titled: ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’ sets to reduce net migration by deterring applicants and making processes to settling in the UK more difficult and more costly.
In this article, André Minnaar, Partner and head of our Immigration team and Jamie Langley, Paralegal examine some of the key reforms and share their thoughts on some of the proposals.
What does a White Paper mean?
White papers are policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for future legislation and whilst these changes have not yet been implemented, they are in the pipeline and individuals and businesses should take note.
Work Visas
The reforms intend to encourage businesses to employ from within the UK, rather than seek those who may have the skills for the role outside the UK. Their solution to make this a realistic reform is to contribute further to the training in the domestic labour market where there are skills shortages. Many medium-skilled job roles will be removed from the current eligible list, and eligibility for skilled worker visas will be restricted at RQF Level 6 or above (which is graduate level). The Immigration Salary List will be abolished, meaning current occupations on the list will no longer benefit from a salary threshold discount. Instead, a Temporary Shortage List with roles below graduate level may be sponsored on a temporary basis, unlikely to lead to settlement. The reforms also suggest there will be restrictions placed on bringing dependents in the Temporary Shortage List.
The Health and Care Worker visa route will no longer be open to new applicants from outside the UK. However, those wishing to switch in-country and extend will be able to do so, in a transition period up to 2028. Finally, minimum salary thresholds are to be increased, designed to put off employers from hiring people from outside the UK, when instead they could pay someone who is free from immigration restrictions significantly less.
Comment from André
“Whilst these proposals are a drive to bring down net migration, statistics show that the biggest proportion of immigration originate from India, yet the government has just struck a trade deal with India in which concessions were made to make it easier for global mobility of Indians coming to work in the UK. Whilst the government may sugar coat this as temporary workers, it is yet to be seen how many of those workers will end up making application to stay in the UK. So, whilst being very harsh in targeting the care sector yet again, having already on 11 March 2024 being targeted as the only group not allowed to bring their dependent families, in exchange for a trade deal, the government promotes more Indian workers to come to the UK.”
English Language Requirements
Currently, for most work routes, the required English language proficiency level is Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B1 (which is classed as an intermediate user). This will be increased to CEFR Level B2 (known as an independent user). B2 level requires solid fluency in everyday and professional interactions. There has also been some consideration as to whether to apply this change to settlement applications, but no further details have been provided at present.
The most effective change is a new reform requiring adult dependants of workers and students to pass CEFR Level A1 (equivalent to basic user) to enter the UK, followed by Level A2 when they extend their leave, and finally Level B2 for settlement. Previously there was no such requirement before passing Level B1 at the settlement stage.
Comment From Jamie
“This is arguably one of the most significant changes proposed by the Government, as dependants have never before been required to pass an English Language test in order to begin their leave to remain under this route.
PM, Keir Starmer posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) following the announcement: “If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English. That’s common sense.” This acts as another obstacle for those seeking to join their family in the UK as dependants, and will arguably lead to applications being put off by applicants until they are able to pass the required English language test. With regard to work routes now requiring Level B2 CEFR, fewer applications are likely to be made as a result which means we could see more vacancies in these highly skilled roles.”
Graduate Visas
Graduate visas are currently valid for 2 years, allowing those that have successfully completed their studies in the UK to live, work or seek employment in the UK. The new reform will shorten the length of this visa to 18 months. This may also apply to PhD graduates who currently enjoy permissions on graduate visas for up to 3 years.
Settlement
The new reform will see the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) double from five to ten years for most work routes. Individuals may have the opportunity to shorten the qualifying period for ILR and later citizenship based on demonstrable contributions to the UK economy and society. Those on the family route to settlement will stay on the 5-year route. The requirements for settlement will have an increased focus on English language proficiency, with a review of the Life in the UK test.
Other reforms and timeline
Other reforms will look to reduce the risk of migrant exploitation among employers where there is an abuse of the sponsorship system by those with a sponsor licence. Fees are expected to increase once again, specifically with the Immigration Skills Charge applicable to skilled worker visas. This will be raising by 32% from £1,000 to £1,320 per year for medium or large businesses, and from £364 to £480 per year for small or charitable businesses.
It is important to note that the White Paper is a strategy plan of proposals for future rules. Some may be implemented imminently, such as the fees increase and new and skilled worker rules, however other proposed changes may need legislation passed which could take several months or longer.
Comment from André
“The government also suggest increasing the time to 10 years before becoming eligible for ILR. The Government has not given any clear plans on how this will be implemented. Under the current system, requiring 5 years residency before being eligible to apply for ILR , an applicant will receive 2 periods of leave of 30 months each which comes with hefty fees of approximately £12,000.00 excluding any lawyer fees.
Those who do not meet the rules, but who succeed based on a successful art 8 family life argument, receives 4 periods of 30 months on the 10 year route already, which means fees double. If the first group who meets the rules now increase from 5 to 10 years, the white paper is silent on those who previously succeeded on the 10 year route. Are they now going to have to wait 10+ , possible 20 years, at a crippling cost or alternatively more and more people will need to apply for fee waiver. This will create a 2 tier system for the more financially fortunate who can afford to apply and discriminate against those on lower paid jobs and unable to afford the fees”.
Further information
You can view the full white paper here: Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper - GOV.UK
Get in touch
If you have been delaying a job search or putting off making an immigration application to the UK, now is the time to do so before these changes potentially change the requirements. For more information or advice on how the new reforms may affect your current immigration status, get in touch with us today.
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