Immigration

The White Paper published 12 May 2025, Restoring control over the immigration system, set out a number of far-reaching policy changes that will impact UK immigration control and limit eligibility for work-based and other visas. In tandem with these developments, a shake up to the right to work checking scheme will increase the burden on UK employers and other organisations if they are to avoid significant civil and other penalties.

During the course of 2025 it will become more challenging to qualify for a UK visa, with refreshed requirements to prove English language proficiency, limits on visa duration, and reduced ability to support dependent family members. Workers will need to show a UK job offer of a higher skill level and salary than what has been acceptable since December 2020. In addition, the path towards settlement in the UK and British citizenship will become longer and more onerous.

The first tranche of changes to the Immigration Rules was announced on 02 July 2025, taking effect on 22 July 2025.