What are the New UK Immigration Rules & What Do They Mean For You?

What are the Latest Changes to Immigration Rules in 2025 and When Were They Announced?

There have been substantial changes to the immigration rules in 2024/25. From citizenship bans for illegal entries to Graduate visas being reduced from 2 years to 18 months, stricter English language requirements to a proposed increase in the standard continuous residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from 5 years to 10 – there have been significant changes.

Some are already policy, others are proposals. We help you understand the law and what is coming up, so you can be prepared to comply, adjust your plans, and focus on what matters most to you.

Latest Immigration News & Changes to Immigration Rules

We examine all the latest immigration news and rule changes that affect you, updating this page regularly to provide you with the most up-to-date coverage. The latest immigration news includes:

• 28 October 2025 – Barracks in Inverness and East Sussex are set to house asylum seekers as the government vows to end asylum hotel contracts. The barracks intend to house 900 men. Defence Secretary Luke Pollard admitted opening these new barracks for asylum seekers is about “proving this concept” and said that it is “adequate for what is required, and that will enable us to take the pressure off the asylum hotel estates and enable those to be closed at a faster rate.”
• The Minister for Migration will face questions on immigration rules on 28 October 2025 at 4:00 p.m. GMT. The session follows the Committee’s concerns over recent immigration rule changes. This includes tightening Skilled Worker visa conditions, removing social care roles from the list of eligible occupations, and suspending refugee family reunion visas without conducting impact assessments. This has prompted questions to the Minister on visa policy, impact assessments, and Home Office decision-making. You can follow the coverage on Parliament TV
• ECHR Briefing from 27 October 2025 as political parties outline their positions on remaining part of the European Convention of Human Rights. Labour vows changes within the convention, while Conservatives and Reform UK plan for a complete withdrawal from the convention. The Reform plan also includes repealing the Human Rights Act if they were to gain power.
• Labour demand “urgent answers” on Conservative Party bill to deport settled residents who do not meet financial and good character requirements – 27 October 2025.

Below are some of the most recent significant changes to the immigration rules, which are covered in more detail below:

• HC 1333 Changes published on 14 October 2025
• Announcement of new ILR continuous residence period on 29 September 2025, and Committee Inquiry announced on 21 October 2025
• HC 997 Immigration changes published on 1 July 2025, effective on 22 July 2025
• HC 836 Immigration changes published on 24 June 2025
• Recommendations from MAC Review on 10 June 2025
• Appendix Good Character changes on 10 February 2025
• Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, released on 12 May 2025
• Other immigration changes also feature in this document, with those listed here being the most significant immigration documents published in 2025.

12 May 2025 Immigration White Paper & Subsequent Rules

The Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System is the document that serves as the blueprint for the majority of the changes that have since been formed, or have not yet been formed, into policy. Since its publication on 12 May 2025, some major changes announced within it were made on 22 July 2025, 29 September 2025, and 14 October 2025. Other policies preceded the White Paper, while some have been announced more formally, more recently.

14 October Immigration News (HC 1333 Changes)

On 14 October 2025, the government announced the latest changes following the publication of the Immigration White Paper. These included:

• From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement will increase from B1 to B2 for Skilled Worker, HPI, and Scale-up visas. This will also affect the dependents of skilled workers on these routes, with over-18s requiring B2 level English (some exemptions apply, such as being 65 or over, or having a physical or mental condition that prevents the requirement being met).
• The Post-Study work visa duration is being cut to 18 months from 2 years (and remains at 3 years for PhD students). This will take effect for new applicants on 1 January 2027.
• From 4 November 2025, the HPI visa will be open to graduates from the top 100 international universities. Currently, it includes the top 42 universities. There will also be an annual cap of 8,000 applications. 
• From 25 November 2025, students who have completed their course can start and begin to establish their business while their application for the Innovator Founder visa route is pending
• From 16 Dec 2025, there will be a 32% annual increase for the Immigration Skills Charge (for employers hiring skilled workers). Small and charitable sponsors will now pay £480 a year (previously £364), while medium and large sponsors will pay £1320 (previously £1000) per year.

You can find all the 14 October 2025 changes in the HC 1333 immigration rules document.

29 September 2025 – Home Secretary Announces Changes to Settlement (ILR) Residency Period

On 29 September 2025, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the plan set out in the Immigration White Paper, to introduce a “contribution-based” plan for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Earlier settlement will operate on a points-based system.

With it, she announced a consultation period that will focus on the exact nature of the policy and possible exemptions. It is expected (as outlined in the White Paper) to apply to skilled workers and their dependents. Changes to the Family visa route are also expected at the end of 2025 following a MAC Review. See 10 June 2025 Recommendations from the MAC Review into the Family Visa Route below for more information on the Family route.

21 October 2025 – Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into ILR Eligibility

On 21 October 2025, the Home Affairs Committee launched a new inquiry into the proposed ILR reform, looking into the eligibility criteria. The inquiry will consider several questions. Individuals and organisations are invited to submit evidence with their reasons and a summary. You may submit evidence to the committee here with a deadline of 2 December 2025. Dame Karen Bradley said: 

“Changing the rules governing who has the right to Indefinite Leave to Remain is likely to have a complex and wide-ranging impact. We have launched this inquiry to understand how well the Government’s proposals will help them achieve their goals for immigration and their broader policy aims.

“We will not just examine how it will affect immigration in the UK, but wider questions about the economy, integration and the impact on those looking to apply to live and work in the UK.” 

22 July (HC 997) Immigration Changes Affecting Skilled Workers

One of the most significant announcements involved policy updates across several visa categories on 22 July 2025. This saw:

Care Worker Visa Route Closure to New Applicants

The government first banned care workers from bringing dependants, on March 11 2024. Since then, the government removed the care worker route for new overseas applicants altogether on July 22, 2025. Applicants in the UK on this route can still switch visas or extend.

Higher Salary Thresholds for Skilled Workers

In April 2024, the standard Skilled Worker minimum salary was raised from £26,200 to £38,700 before being hiked again on 22 July 2025 from £38,700 to £41,700. With the latest changes came a reduced list of eligible occupations and reduced medium-skilled jobs, which were moved to a Temporary Shortage List.

Higher Skills Thresholds for Skilled Workers

• The Skilled Worker visa threshold was raised to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree equivalent). Over 100 medium-skilled jobs were removed from the Immigration Salary List (ISL) that were previously eligible at a lower threshold (RQF 3-5)
• A Temporary Shortage List (TSL) was introduced to gradually replace the Immigration Salary List, and allows recruitment of overseas workers (who do not meet the higher skills threshold until 2026.
• Skilled Workers with jobs on either the ISL or TSL can no longer bring dependents to the UK

You can read more about the Skilled Worker visa changes here, or read the full HC 997 immigration rules published on 1 July 2025 and effective 22 July 2025.

24 June 2025 (HC 836) Changes

Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 836) were published on 24th June. The changes provide greater clarity and remove anomalies in the system.

Changes to Appendix EU

Appendix EU was revised, with a revised absence condition for pre-settled status for EU nationals who came before the Brexit Referendum. The rule is intended to give more flexibility to EU citizens who had to return home for reasons like travel bans and caring for relatives during and after the pandemic. A pre-settled status will still qualify for continuous residence if:

• You have spent at least 30 months in the UK during the last 60 months.
• The “no more than 180 days away each year” rule no longer applies for this settlement route.

Changes to Appendix Private Life

Under recent UK Immigration Rule changes, young adults (18–25) and long-resident children who applied under the family or private life routes before June 2022 can now qualify for settlement after five years instead of ten, aligning them with newer applicants. However, anyone previously excluded from asylum or humanitarian protection will automatically be refused or have permission cancelled, with only limited, temporary leave allowed if human rights laws prevent removal.

Changes to Appendix Long Residence and Appendix Continuous Residence

Changes to Appendix Long Residence and Appendix Continuous Residence made on 24 June affect British citizens who have spent time away and wish to return. Under the updated Appendix Long Residence, time spent as a British citizen now counts as lawful residence toward the 10-year settlement period, unless the citizenship was revoked for deception.

Additionally, lawful residence in the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man) also counts toward UK settlement, with these changes clarifying previous inconsistencies in how such periods were treated.

You can read a quick guide to the HC 836 changes here.

10 June 2025 Recommendations from the MAC Review into the Family Visa Route

The MAC reviewed the Family visa route on 10 June 2025. It is uncertain whether these recommendations will be implemented, or if a stricter policy on immigration will also impact the Family visa in 2025. The MAC made recommendations to the Family visa route, which included:

• MAC recommended a lower financial threshold for sponsoring overseas family (like partners and children). The current level is £29,000, and the government has yet to confirm if it will act on the financial review.
• MAC suggested further changes, including allowing overseas income earned remotely to be accounted for in the financial thresholds, as well as considering more flexibility for overseas applicants to be allowed to rely on job offers in the UK. It also recommends options to factor living standards or benefits thresholds into calculations.
• A points-based system for settlement as suggested in the White Paper, and announced in the 29 September 2025 ILR changes. It is unclear if they are proposing an increase in the standard qualifying period.

You can read more about the proposed Family visa changes, and the MAC review here

Other Changes Already Made and in Effect in 2024/25

Citizenship Ban for Illegal Immigrants Who Came Via Dangerous Means

On 10 February 2025, changes to the “good character requirements” for British citizenship took effect immediately. This effectively means that regardless of how long they have been in the UK, those who arrived illegally by dangerous routes, like on the back of lorries or by small boat would never be eligible for British citizenship. It is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers already in the UK, as well as deter new asylum seekers. You can read more on the citizenship ban here, or read the full changes to Appendix Good Character in the government’s official document.

Increased Fines for Illegal Working

On February 13, 2024, the government announced significant increases in fines for illegal working and targets businesses not complying with right to work checks. Employers in breach of their sponsor licence agreements or who do not have a sponsor licence and should, can now receive fines of £45,000 for a first offense, or £60,000 for repeat offenses.

Sponsor Licence Renewal Scrapped

From 6 April 2025, the requirement for employers of overseas workers to renew their sponsorship licence was removed. Previously, you would need to renew a licence every 4 years. Now, there is no renewal process, and more focus is placed upon ongoing compliance and audits.

E-Visas Replace Biometric Residence Permits & ETA Scheme Opens

On 1 January 2025, e-visas replaced Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and other physical permits like passport vignettes and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs). E-visas will be used to show your immigration status to border officials and for Right to Work checks. You must setup a UKVI account to get an e-visa.

On 5 March 2025, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme launched for European nations, and on 2 April 2025, it was extended to all European nationals. Now, anyone who did not previously need a visa to come to the UK (for short-term travel purposes of up to six months) will need an ETA.

What is the Future of Indefinite Leave to Remain?

One of the big statement changes and a prominent fixture in the news is the future of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Depending on your visa route in the UK, Indefinite Leave to Remain currently offers settlement periods of 3, 5, 10, or 20 years. The most common continuous residence period is 5 years.

This is set to change under the government’s new contribution-based settlement plan. The standard qualifying timeline will increase to 10 years, while it can be reduced for positive contributions. This is expected to be around 6 years minimum.

Some debate and fear have also come from further ILR policies, from other UK political parties, including Reform UK, who promise to abolish ILR if they gain power. The Conservative Party is expected to tighten rules on ILR further and also increase the timeline from 5 years to 10 years (like the Labour government). However, they are also set to increase the most common timeline to British Citizenship from 5-6 years to 15 years. Currently, the latest a general election can be called is August 2029, though the government can call an election at any time. Therefore, it is recommended not to wait if you are ILR eligible. The same applies to British citizenship.

You can read more about ILR becoming a political battleground here.

The Headlines: Who is Affected by the Immigration Changes?

• Businesses, universities, and charities recruiting from abroad must comply with more challenging policies and higher expenses when hiring from overseas. Stricter penalties and systems are expected to be introduced to ensure companies continue to maintain adequate sponsorship systems. They must provide domestic training opportunities, and can typically only employ workers with qualifications above a bachelor’s degree, or for roles on the Temporary Shortage List. The cost of sponsoring individuals will also increase by 32%. Universities and colleges will have to refrain from excessive marketing to international students.
• Healthcare providers and care homes will not be able to hire social care workers from overseas using the Health and Care Worker Visa, as the UK government plans to close this subsection of the route, instead concentrating on hiring domestic talent or overseas workers already in the UK needing sponsorship. The Health & Care Worker visa remains open for NHS and healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, midwives, lab staff and pharmacists, but new overseas recruitment for adult social care roles like care workers and home carers is ending.
• International students and graduates will be affected by a 2-3 year graduate visa route now cut to 18 months. There will also be stricter pathways and pass marks acceptable for the enrolment of foreign students. 
• Families can expect a myriad of changes aimed at better integration. English language proficiency will become a greater focus and requirement for dependents, while they will be affected by the changes to income requirements.
• Many immigrant workers will be affected by the change in the UK settlement timeline, with Indefinite Leave to Remain expected to be changed from 5 years to 10 years for many visa routes, with the exception of the family visa route. There are also expected to be shorter timelines to “earn” citizenship. 
• Asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by illegal and dangerous means (like small boats) will not be eligible for British citizenship. To bring family, refugees must now use Appendix FM (Family visas). This means they must prove eligibility, including meeting the £29,000 financial threshold, to bring their spouse/partner or dependent children.

At IAS, we understand the new white paper is a lot to take in, and for many, it may put their plans to reunite with family, recruit top talent from overseas, and fill shortage occupations in the dark. 

We can help you understand the implications of the government’s new policies and white paper on your future. No matter if you’re an individual, family, charity, business, or university, you can book an advice session to understand your next steps. 

What is the UK’s Immigration White Paper

The government’s white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System (May 2025), sets a clear ambition: reset public trust by reducing net migration while aligning visa routes with the UK’s long‑term skills and security objectives. 

Ministers argue that rapid growth in visa grants between 2019 and 2024 has strained housing, public services, and wage growth. The document, therefore, aligns new opportunities for high‑value talent with more stringent requirements, longer settlement qualifying periods, and a markedly harder stance on irregular entry.

The paper retains the principle that skilled, self‑sufficient migrants are welcome, but on terms that are more exacting than before. Each reform is designed to encourage investment in domestic workers first and to ensure that newcomers integrate quickly.

What is in the government’s immigration white paper?

Higher skills threshold for work visas

From the next scheduled Statement of Changes, the main Skilled Worker route will require roles at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6, which is broadly equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Currently, it can be a mix of RQF 3-5, depending on the role, which encapsulates A Levels and BTEC Nationals (or the equivalent of) at RQF 3 or foundation degrees at RQF 5.

Salary thresholds will also rise to reflect the median earnings of the resident workforce. Employers that still need roles below the skilled qualification levels of RQF 6 will have to employ for roles on the Temporary Shortage List, which provides some limited opportunity for the employment of lower-skilled workers, depending on UK needs. It is time‑limited and contingent on the sponsoring sector presenting a credible domestic training plan.

Closure of overseas social‑care recruitment

Citing evidence of exploitation and unprecedented visa growth in 2024, the Home Office will close the adult‑social‑care route to new applicants based abroad. Carers already in the UK may extend until 2028, but no new certificates of sponsorship will be issued offshore. Providers must therefore diversify recruitment and, in the longer term, raise pay to attract local staff. The change does not affect skilled medical roles above the RQF 6 benchmark, including qualified doctors, nurses, midwives, etc.

Revised post‑study pathway

The unsponsored Graduate visa—popular with international students—will be shortened from two (or three for doctorates) years to 18 months. The change is intended to prevent the route from becoming a back‑door labour channel for lower‑paid roles. Graduates who cannot secure skilled employment within that period will need to switch or leave. The Treasury is also considering a levy on universities’ overseas‑tuition income to offset any displacement effect on public services.

Stricter sponsorship standards for the education sector

Universities and colleges must now pass higher Basic Compliance thresholds and will be graded red, amber, or green on a new traffic‑light system. A poor rating triggers additional reporting duties or, in extreme circumstances, a licence revocation. Institutions will also sign an agent‑quality code intended to clamp down on aggressive overseas marketing.

Forthcoming overhaul of family migration

A consultation promised for later this year will reshape the family route. It is expected to close or restrict ‘loopholes’ like access to public funds for legal migrants. It will focus on a more demanding English language requirement for all adult dependents and higher income requirements that look beyond household earnings. A new approach to Article 8 “exceptional circumstances” claims is expected to provide clarity, consistency, and a stronger expectation that sponsors will not rely on public funds.

Language proficiency ladder

Proficiency in English is now positioned as the central integration tool. The paper proposes a staged model: entrants demonstrate level  A1, progress to A2 at the time of a visa extension, and reach level B2 before settlement. Skilled Worker main applicants would enter at B2 immediately. The reform affects both principal applicants and adult dependents, signalling that language acquisition is no longer optional.

5 Year ILR to extend to 10 years with points-based settlement available earlier 

Indefinite leave to remain will, by default, require ten continuous years of lawful residence – double the current five for most work routes. A complementary points discount recognises higher salaries, tax paid, professional qualifications, community service, and work in shortage occupations. An “earned” track for citizenship will mirror this structure, reinforcing the idea that permanence is a reward for demonstrable contribution.

Strengthened enforcement and border management

Alongside changes to legal pathways, the white paper sets out an enforcement architecture designed to deter irregular migration and expedite removals when the rules are breached.

Universal eVisa platform

Physical biometric residence permits have already been retired in favour of a fully digital status – an eVisa that records every entry and exit. Real‑time data will feed directly to employers, landlords, banks, and HMRC, enabling rapid identification of overstayers. By late 2025 the system is expected to cover the entire migrant population, making compliance checks quicker and less prone to forgery.

Expanded enforcement capacity

The Home Office is redeploying 1,000 additional officers equipped with body‑worn cameras and mobile biometric devices. Civil penalties for employing or housing irregular migrants will increase, and the remit of status checks will expand to a wider range of financial institutions. These measures are designed to raise the cost of non‑compliance for both businesses and individuals.

Asylum claims by current visa holders

Policy designers are working on powers to refuse or curtail leave where a migrant already present on a visa claims asylum without a demonstrable change in their home country’s circumstances. Certain visa categories and visa‑free nationalities deemed at high risk of abuse will face extra scrutiny at the border and during application processing.

Foreign national offender policy

A conviction that places an individual on the sex‑offender register will now prompt automatic refusal of refugee status. Deportation thresholds are also being lowered for non‑custodial sentences. The change builds on a 16 per cent rise in removals of foreign national offenders recorded in the last statistics release.

Sponsor accountability and worker protection

The white paper recognises that genuine migrants can be exploited by rogue sponsors. A new Fair Work Agency will coordinate investigations and give sponsored workers a statutory right to switch employers where abuse is proven. Licences are being revoked at a faster rate, 1,494 in 2024 alone, and that trajectory is expected to continue.

Integration, public services, and labour market strategy

Reform does not stop at visas and enforcement. Ministers intend to place immigration planning into wider social policy. Local authorities will agree on integration compacts that align visa sponsorship with available housing stock, school capacity, and NHS resources.

In the labour market, employers seeking to sponsor non‑resident workers will be asked to provide evidence of domestic upskilling plans, reinforcing the message that immigration is a complement rather than a substitute for home‑grown talent.

Legislative timetable and next steps

Many proposals require secondary legislation, amendments to the Immigration Rules or provisions in the Border Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill. Some changes have already taken effect as detailed earlier, while other changes are soon to follow. Key milestones include:

• Advice from the Migration Advisory Committee on the Temporary Shortage List and revised salary thresholds, expected in the autumn
• Public consultations later this year on the settlement points framework, the university levy, and the new family‑route minimum‑income test
• phased migration of all existing migrants onto the eVisa platform by the fourth quarter of 2025
• Successive Statements of Changes, the first of which is likely to introduce the RQF 6 threshold and associated salary rises before January 2026.

Implications for stakeholders

• Employers should budget for higher wage floors, an increased Immigration Skills Charge and shorter lead times to secure post‑study talent. 
• Prospective migrants will need to plan for more demanding English requirements, longer pathways to settlement, and tighter eligibility requirements. 
• Advisers, universities, and charities face an 18‑month period of accelerated rule‑making and must track each policy update carefully.

The white paper’s overarching message is clear, that the United Kingdom intends to remain open to global expertise, but admission will be conditional on higher skills, demonstrable integration, and swift compliance with a digitised border regime. 

Whether the reforms succeed in calming public concern or simply redirect demand into alternative channels will become clear as the measures take effect in the run‑up to the next general election.

Act fast for applications & compliance training before the new rules

It is challenging to understand the full scope of the white paper and the effects on you or your business. While the new white paper is yet to be translated into policy, there is a window of opportunity for transition or applications under the current rules.

Our immigration experts can help you make a fast-track application or create a compliance strategy to align with the new measures. We tailor our support to your immigration situation.

Call +44 (0)333 414 9244 or email us at [email protected] for immediate advice or full support with visas, immigration, compliance, and relocation issues.