Posted Tuesday 13th May 2025
On 12 May 2025, the UK Government published its White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, setting out a detailed framework for overhauling immigration policy. Aimed at reducing net migration and increasing employer responsibility, the reforms reflect a significant policy shift that will impact employers, education providers, and individual migrants alike.
A core theme of the reforms is reducing reliance on international recruitment by prioritising high-skilled migration. The qualifying threshold for Skilled Worker visas will be raised to RQF Level 6 (graduate level), and the salary thresholds will increase unless an exemption applies
Employers wishing to hire from overseas must demonstrate they are actively investing in domestic workforce training. A new Labour Market Evidence Group will guide policy decisions using robust economic data.
Access to the immigration system will be restricted to roles where a long-term shortage exists, where a domestic workforce strategy is in place, and where recruitment from abroad is demonstrably necessary.
The Immigration Salary List (which provides a 20% discount on applicable salaries and replaced the Shortage Occupation List last year) will be abolished, meaning salary discounts will no longer apply to shortage occupations. Instead, the Temporary Shortage List will be introduced for lower skilled jobs in sectors with proven shortages. Visas in this category will only qualify for short term visas contingent on employers committing to training UK employees. There will also be no scope for bringing dependents to the UK in this sub category.
Employers in the care, hospitality, and construction sectors will therefore need bespoke sector strategies to maintain access to overseas recruitment
There are also plans to increase the Immigration Skills Charge (which employers must pay when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship) by 32%, its first rise since its introduction in 2017.
Social Care: The Health and Care Worker visa route for social care will close to new overseas applicants. Existing visa holders will be allowed to extend or switch status within the UK until 2028, during a transitional period.
Education: Universities and colleges will face stricter sponsor compliance requirements. Institutions at risk of breaching sponsor duties will be subject to limits on international student recruitment. The Graduate visa will be reduced from two years to 18 months.
The government plans to simplify private and family life routes and limit reliance on human rights claims . New legislation will aim to clarify that decisions on who can remain in the UK rest with Parliament, not the courts.
Deportation policies will be reformed to ensure broader notification of foreign national offenders – there are plans for the Home Office to be notified of any criminal record relating to those who under immigration control (eg cautions, fine and suspended sentences) not just those who receive a custodial sentence, as is the current position. Deportation criteria will be updated to reflect the seriousness of offences, especially in cases involving violence against women and girls.
The qualifying period for settlement will double from five to ten years. Settlement and citizenship rules will move to a points-based “earned settlement and citizenship” model focused on long-term contribution and integration for those who wish to obtain ILR after 5 years. English language requirements will be expanded across visa routes.
Targeted support will remain for highly skilled individuals in priority sectors. This includes reforms to the Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and High Potential Individual routes, with increased places and faster processing for select applicants. Reform of these categories are welcome as the Uk needs to ensure it is attracting the brightest and best talent in an increasingly competitive global market. Since the abolition of the Investor, Entrepreneur and Sole Representative of an Overseas Business routes, those wishing to come to the UK set up businesses have struggled to fit into the restrictive eligibility criteria of the Global Talent and innovator Founder routes and reform of these visa categories is necessary.
It is important to note that implementation will begin over the coming months, with further reforms to the asylum system expected later this year as the White Paper outlines the government’s policy proposals and that these are not law yet.
This article is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking or deciding not to take any action.
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