On the 12th of May 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration introduced a wide-ranging proposal to reform the UK’s immigration system.
The prime minister promised that his new plan will reduce net migration by the end of this parliament, in 2029.
Details of the proposals have been published in a white paper, a government document that outlines policy proposals before being introduced as legislation.
Proposed Key Changes
- Extension of the Settlement Period
Currently, people have to live in the UK for five years before gaining settled status.
The proposed reforms increase the qualifying period for Settlement from five to ten years.
This change is expected to apply to all settlement applications submitted after the reform is enacted, including those by individuals who arrived in the UK under current rules. This may significantly impact long-term planning for skilled workers and their employers.
- Skilled Worker Visa and Graduate Visa
Under the proposed changes:
- Applicants will be required to hold a university degree.
- The minimum salary threshold will increase to £38,700, with the abolition of the Immigration Salary List, currently allowing certain occupations to have lower salary thresholds.
- The Immigration Skills Charge paid by sponsor employers will increase by 32% to incentivise investment in domestic workforce.
- People on Graduate visas will be allowed to remain in the UK for 18 months (instead of 24 months) after they finished their studies.
- Institutions sponsoring international students will see a strengthening in the requirements.
These reforms may pose challenges for sectors that rely heavily on international graduates and mid-level skilled labour.
New requirements will be introduced on employers to boost domestic training that will end the reliance on international recruitment, reversing the long-term trend of increasing recruitment from overseas.
- Stricter English Language Proficiency
Across all visa categories, the government plans to raise the required standard of English language proficiency. This move aims to promote better integration but may limit eligibility for otherwise qualified applicants.
- Enhanced Compliance Measures
Employers and sponsors of migrant students who breach sponsor duties could face financial penalties and sanctions, such as bans on hiring overseas workers.
Additionally, the government intends to remove individuals convicted of certain criminal offences—even those not leading to custodial sentences—from the UK.
A new universal eVisa platform will be introduced to record entries and exits, providing real-time data to relevant authorities for compliance checks.
- Family immigration
Legislation will be introduced to make clear it is the government that decides who should have the right to remain in the UK.
Adult dependents of workers and students will face a new English language requirement at A1 level, progressing to A2 for visa extensions and B2 for settlement.
Implications for Employers and Sponsors
Employers and other sponsors should prepare for increased compliance scrutiny and possible adjustments to recruitment strategies.
Sponsored workers and those on a path to settlement may need to reassess their timelines and immigration options.
It will be crucial for HR teams and legal advisors to stay abreast of implementation timelines and transitional provisions.
Need Advice?
These reforms represent one of the most significant shifts in UK immigration policy in over a decade. While framed around controlling migration and prioritising the domestic workforce, they may create legal uncertainty and challenges for businesses and migrants.
We advise clients to proactively review their sponsorship practices, assess workforce planning in light of the proposed rules, and seek tailored legal advice on affected cases.If you or your organisation would like to discuss how these reforms may affect your immigration position or your employees, please contact our Immigration Law team for a consultation.
By: Lucia Zeleznik, Lawyer and Solicitor based in London