Yesterday (12/05/2025), the UK government published a significant immigration white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The white paper outlines a broad package of immigration reforms aimed at reducing the recent record levels of net migration and rebalancing the system in favour of high-skilled workers who contribute the most to economic growth. They also represent the government’s desire to grow the domestic workforce and “end reliance on foreign labour”.
In this article, we lay out some of the changes outlined by the government in what represents some of the most significant changes to the immigration rules for many years.
Keep reading to find out more.
Skilled Worker and Labour Market reform
- Raising the Skilled Worker threshold: The skill level for overseas workers will be raised back to RQF Level 6 (graduate level), and salary thresholds will also increase.
- Abolition of the Immigration Salary List: Discounts on salary thresholds for certain roles will be removed.
- Targeted use of Points-Based System: Access will be limited to long-term shortage occupations, based on Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advice, and only where employers show a commitment to training the domestic workforce.
- Labour Market Evidence Group: A new group will be formed to provide high-quality data to inform immigration decisions, reducing reliance on migration as a default solution.
- Employer responsibility: Companies will be required to invest more in training UK workers to reduce dependency on international recruitment.
Adult social care
- Ending overseas recruitment: New applications for social care visas from abroad will be closed.
- Transition period: Existing care workers in the UK will be allowed to extend or switch visas until 2028, during the development of a domestic workforce strategy.
International Students
- Sponsor compliance: Education providers sponsoring international students will face tighter compliance rules. Institutions at risk of non-compliance will be subject to improvement plans and recruitment caps.
- Graduate visa route: The post-study work period will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months.
Family and Human Rights
- Simplifying Family and Private Life immigration: The system will be restructured to reduce reliance on “exceptional” cases.
- Article 8 Reform: Legislation will clarify that the government and Parliament should determine the right to remain in the UK, especially in cases involving public interest deportation.
High-Skilled Migration and Economic Growth
- Attracting Global Talent: Expansion of high-talent migration routes, including:
- More places for research interns;
- Easier access for elite scientific and design professionals under the Global Talent visa;
- Reviews of the Innovator Founder visa and High Potential Individual route to maximise economic contribution.
- Fast-Track routes for strategic industries requiring high-level skills and experience.
Tackling abuse and strengthening enforcement
- Asylum reform: Stricter rules for claims made when home country conditions have not materially changed, especially if claimed after arrival.
- Sponsor accountability: Financial penalties and sanctions for employers and educational institutions found to be abusing the system.
- Visa risk assessment: Increased scrutiny, restrictions, and conditions for routes or countries where there is evidence of abuse.
- International cooperation: Measures to pressure countries to accept the return of their nationals.
Foreign National Offenders (FNOs)
- Expanded deportation reporting: The Home Office will be notified of all foreign nationals convicted of crimes, not just those sentenced to imprisonment.
- Deportation thresholds review: Reforms to reflect serious crimes, including violence against women and girls, with revised statutory exception criteria.
English language requirements
- Broader application: New English proficiency standards will apply to more visa categories, including both main applicants and dependants.
- Ongoing assessment: An emphasis on continuous improvement in English proficiency over time.
Settlement and Citizenship
- Extended settlement period: The qualifying period for permanent residence (settlement) will increase from 5 to 10 years.
- Contribution-based system: Settlement and citizenship criteria will increasingly be based on an individual’s contribution to the UK, with details to be presented to Parliament by the end of this year.
Implementation timeline
- The measures are part of the government’s broader Plan for Change.
- Reforms will be phased in during the course of this Parliament.
- Additional updates on asylum and border security are expected later this summer.
Conclusion
The immigration white paper introduces significant tightening of the UK immigration system, with higher thresholds, reduced visa access, and increased scrutiny on sponsors. These changes will make applications more complex and heighten the need for strategic legal advice, something which Lisa’s Law can provide. As the system becomes more restrictive and policy-driven, our role in guiding clients through compliance, eligibility, and appeals will be more crucial than ever.
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