The United Kingdom Overhauls Immigration System

Key Points  

• The United Kingdom introduced a new immigration white paper on 12 May 2025 that aims to tighten immigration rules to boost domestic training, raise skill standards and attract top global talent 

Updated White Paper Immigration Rules for the United Kingdom  

The United Kingdom (UK) has introduced new immigration measures aimed at prioritizing economic growth. The immigration white paper published on 12 May 2025 outlines reform measures aimed at reshaping policies. These changes will focus on supporting domestic training and reducing reliance on international recruitment. The most significant aspects of the white paper are covered below: 

Key Changes in UK Immigration Policy

• Workforce Development: Employers must enhance domestic training efforts to reduce reliance on foreign labor.
• Skilled Worker Visa Requirements: Eligibility now requires a graduate-level qualification (RQF 6) or equivalent experience. Authorities will raise immigration salary thresholds and eliminate discounts from the salary list.
• Work Visa Restrictions: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will assess labor shortages and determine which roles qualify for work visa access.
• Social Care Sector: Overseas recruitment for social care visas will end, though extensions and in-country switches will remain available until 2028.
• International Student Oversight: Authorities will impose stricter regulations on visa sponsors and shorten graduate visa stay periods to 18 months.
• Family Immigration Reform: Laws will be clarified to reinforce parliamentary authority over residency decisions.
• High-Skilled Migration: More pathways will open for global talent, including research interns and innovators.
• Asylum and Deportation Rules: Authorities will enforce stricter visa policies for asylum seekers and revise deportation rules for foreign national offenders to ensure that serious crimes receive appropriate legal action.
• Language and Settlement Changes: English language requirements will expand across more visa categories and the standard residency period for settlement will increase to 10 years.

Authorities plan to introduce additional reforms to asylum and border security later this summer.

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Understanding shifting immigration policies can be challenging, but we’re here to help you navigate the processes. We bring together smart, friendly legal teams and smart, friendly technology to make immigration easier for companies and the global talent they depend on. 

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