Immigration Changes – Restoring Control over the Immigration System

On the 12^th May 2025 the Government announced some important plans for changes to the UK’s immigration system. 

We appreciate that the white paper announced have impacted both individuals and businesses. 

The changes at a glance

The shift in change was based on some of the following facts:

1.    Lower-skilled migration. In the last 5 years, following the new introduction of the Health & Care work visa meant that both main applicants and dependants have been granted entry visa to the UK. 

2.    Student visas being sponsored from the lower-ranked education providers. 

3.    Dependants coming to the UK. 

4.    Graduate visas. This is post application once a student has completed their studies.

5.    Those overstaying in the UK or have entered the UK without a correct visa had also increased. 

Please find the details on relevant immigration & nationality programs, subject to further changes after this is passed into law. 

Skilled worker immigration program

1.    The shift back to RQF level 6 and above roles can be sponsored on the skilled worker visa. 

2.    The salary threshold will also change. This would reflect on the role and bringing in higher salary threshold. 

3.    The Immigration Salary List will remain at the current state.

4.    Those who are in the UK under the current or previous scheme, will benefit from the previous immigration policies, subject to some changes. 

5.    The introduction of the Temporary Shortage List for a limited access to lower-skilled work visas. This would be recommended by the MAC. 

6.    The Immigration Skills Charge would be increased to fund the resident people vocational and educational skilling. 

Social care work visas

This route has been now cancelled. The immigration program will remain open until 2028, subject to reviews. 

1.    The UK Government will plan to change conditions and grants, to stop abuse and exploitations. 

Global Talent Visa

There are 3 immigration programs for those regarded as highly skilled migrants:

1.    Innovator Founder visa.

2.    Global Talent. 

3.    High Potential Individual (HPI). 

The new whitepaper is to increase the number of people coming into those programming, as this leads to both economical and build our STEM industries. 

1.    AI is the new growth market, so research interns would be increased and giving UK business access to the right talent. 

2.    Scientific and design talent within the Global Talent Visa to be introduced. 

3.    Permit students who have completed their studies in the UK and move to the entrepreneur visa route, also referred as the innovator founder visa. 

4.    Allow the expansion of the Global Mobility immigration program. Make it easier for international businesses to set-up in the UK. 

5.    Targeted and capped expansion on the HPI immigration program. 

The current abuse on the student programs whereby students who have entered the UK by paying school fees and being sponsored, have claims asylum or changed their immigration program routes. 

Measuring the educational institutions

Home Office currently use the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) which looks at visa refusal rate, course enrolment and course completion. Educational providers failing those can have their sponsor licence revoked. 

The Home Office plan to change those into more stringent policies. The following are being recommended in brief:

1.    Increase the target % to be increased by 5%. 

2.    Create a new RAG scheme. This would be to put the educational provider in checks and balances. 

3.    Build and create enforcements for those failing to meet the thresholds.

4.    If the educational provider is using recruitment agents who comply with the Agent Quality Framework. 

Short-term student immigration programs

The student program only permits a person to come and complete studies for a period of 6-11 months. The program requires the person to leave the UK and cannot extend their visa in the UK. 

Whilst this immigration program remains undisturbed in its context, the Home Office will consider strengthen this route and open the door for student looking to study but must leave the UK. 

Graduate visa changes

Those looking to move into the graduate visa is being reduced to 18 months. 

Family immigration programs

The UK Government plans to make changes to the family visa programs. The plan is to introduce those changes towards the end of the year.

Article 8 claims on family immigration programs and exceptional circumstances

The application routes will change and place stricter guidelines to those looking to enter or remain in the UK. 

Foreign national offenders are likely to be removed from the UK swiftly. Further directions will follow. 

References 

1.    White paper published by the UK Government – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf. 

2.    UKVI website – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.