UK Immigration Overhaul 2025: : Government Releases "Restoring Control" White Paper

The UK Government has released a comprehensive white paper, "Restoring Control over the Immigration System," proposing significant reforms to the UK's immigration system. As this is still at the white paper stage, these changes are not yet implemented and will be subject to consultation and legislative processes.

According to the white paper, these reforms aim to address record high levels of net migration, which reached a peak of 906,000 in the year ending June 2023 -- a fourfold increase from the level of 224,000 in June 2019.

Summary of Major Proposed Changes

• Raising the minimum skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas to RQF Level 6 (degree-level)

• Extending the timeframe for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 to 10 years

• Closing the social care visa route to overseas recruitment

• Introducing a new Temporary Shortage List for occupations below RQF 6

• Increasing Immigration Skills Charge by 32% in line with inflation

• Introducing stricter English language requirements including B2 level for Skilled Workers

• New English language requirements for adult dependants (A1 level initially)

• Reforming the Graduate visa route by reducing stay period to 18 months

• Implementing new "Earned Settlement" model with points-based contributions

• Strengthening sponsor compliance for education institutions

• Enhancing enforcement against rule-breakers and foreign national offenders

Key Changes Affecting Employers

As a specialist immigration firm, we're analysing the implications of these potential changes for our clients. The most significant proposed change for employers is undoubtedly the raising of the skills threshold for the Skilled Worker route from RQF 3 (A-Level) back to RQF 6 (Degree level).

Skilled Worker Route Overhaul

The proposed return to the RQF 6 threshold would mean that only jobs requiring degree-level qualifications would be eligible for sponsorship. The white paper states this would eliminate approximately 180 occupations from eligibility:

"This approach would see the number of eligible occupations reduced by around 180 occupations." (Chapter 2, paragraph 69)

Our clients in sectors such as hospitality, retail, and certain manufacturing positions that have become reliant on overseas workers in roles requiring A-level qualifications (RQF 3-5) would be particularly affected if these proposals are implemented.

Immigration Skills Charge Increase

The white paper proposes a 32% increase to the Immigration Skills Charge to "bring the ISC rates in line with inflation." For medium or large employer clients, this could mean paying up to £2,000 per year per sponsored worker.

Sector-Specific Workforce Strategies

The white paper suggests a new requirement for key sectors with high levels of recruitment from abroad to produce workforce strategies. These would need to detail "steps to be taken on skills, training, and broader conditions, as well as engagement of the economically inactive domestic labour force."

The New Temporary Shortage List

The white paper proposes the creation of a Temporary Shortage List for occupations below degree level (RQF 3-5) where there are long-term shortages. The paper states:

"Sectors will only be potentially added to the Temporary Shortage list if they are key to the industrial strategy or delivering critical infrastructure and following advice from the MAC." (Chapter 2, paragraph 73)

Social Care Sector Impact

The proposed closure of social care visas to new applications from abroad would have a profound impact on care provider clients:

"We will therefore end overseas recruitment for social care visas. In line with our wider reforms to skills thresholds, we will close social care visas to new applications from abroad. For a transition period until 2028, we will permit visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the country with working rights, but this will be kept under review." (Chapter 2, paragraph 81)

Impacts on Individual Migrants and Family Routes

For individual clients, several important changes are being proposed:

Settlement and Citizenship

The most significant change would be extending the standard qualifying period for settlement:

"This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years." (Chapter 6, paragraph 264)

However, the white paper indicates a new "Points-Based" contribution system would allow individuals to reduce this qualifying period, though details await future consultation:

"Through the expansion of the Point-Based System, individuals will also have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period based on Points-Based contributions to the UK economy and society. We will consult on these changes later this year." (Chapter 6, paragraph 266)

Family members of British citizens would maintain a 5-year route to settlement:

"We will continue to offer a shorter pathway to settlement for non-UK dependants of British citizens to five years, provided they have remained compliant with their requirements..." (Chapter 6, paragraph 265)

English Language Requirements

The white paper proposes strengthened language requirements across the board:

"We will increase language requirements for Skilled Workers and workers where a language requirement already applies from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels, in accordance with the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)." (Chapter 6, paragraph 254)

"We will introduce a new English language requirement for all adult dependants of workers and students at level A1 (Basic User) to align to spousal and partner routes and will work towards increasing this requirement over time." (Chapter 6, paragraph 255)

Students and Graduates

The Graduate visa would be reduced from 2 years to 18 months:

"Therefore, we will reduce the ability for Graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months." (Chapter 3, paragraph 131)

How We Can Support You

As immigration specialists, we're perfectly positioned to help both employers and individuals understand these proposed changes and prepare contingency plans should they be implemented.

It's important to remember that as a white paper, these are proposals rather than confirmed policy changes. Implementation dates haven't been confirmed for most measures, and many details will be subject to further consultation.

Our team is ready to provide expert guidance to navigate these potential changes. Whether you're an employer concerned about future sponsorship options or an individual worried about your path to settlement, we can help you understand the implications and develop appropriate strategies.

Contact us today for a consultation to discuss how these proposed immigration changes might affect you and to develop a tailored approach that protects your interests.