On Monday 12 May 2025, the Government published its long-awaited white paper, containing a blueprint for significant changes to the UK immigration system. These changes are a proposed government policy, and require further legislation before becoming law.

We have summarised the changes and key points for UK employers below.

Overview

The white paper, entitled ‘Restoring Control Over the Immigration System’, outlines a new immigration strategy that aims to:

• Link immigration policy with domestic workforce development, ensuring employers invest in UK talent.
• Create a fairer, rules-based system that is transparent and enforceable.
• Promote economic growth while ensuring immigration is controlled and sustainable.
• Phase out low-wage migration routes, especially in sectors like social care, and replace them with long-term workforce planning.

At the heart of the strategy is the Government’s continuing aim to cut net migration in the UK. The language used in the paper is emotive and has become the focus of much of the commentary. The actual substance of the paper and what this means in practical terms, however, requires a closer look.

The key changes impacting sponsored workers are:

• Raising the Skilled Worker skills threshold to RQF Level 6 (degree level): This was the previous pre-Brexit threshold, which was changed by the Conservative government. The change will impact roles in sectors such as health and social care (nursing assistants), skilled trades (electricians), hospitality and retail (non-specialist chefs and retail managers) and construction (bricklayers). It is, however, unlikely to impact those sponsoring at degree level. A rise in salary thresholds is also anticipated but details as to what this will look like are still to come. Importantly, this will not impact existing Skilled Worker visa holders who need to extend existing visa, change employment and take on supplementary employment.#
• Creation of a Temporary Shortage List: This new list will provide time-limited access to sponsorship for occupations that are at a lower skill level (RQF 3 to 5). Occupations will only be included on the list where (1) there have been long-term shortages (2) the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has advised it justified (3) there is a workforce strategy in place and (4) employers show commitment to increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce.
• Closing social care visas to new applications: To tackle the numerous allegations of abuse of the Social Care Visa, the Government will close this route to all new applications from overseas. Those already in the UK with working rights will be able to extend their visas or switch into the route until 2028. This will, however, be kept under review.
• Launch of new requirements for workforce strategies – Key sectors where there are high levels of recruitment from abroad will need to produce or update, a workforce strategy which relevant employers will be expected to comply with. This will detail steps to be taken on skills, training, and broader conditions, as well as engagement of the economically inactive domestic labour force. This is likely to be a key change for employers, and we will look out for how this will be implemented in practice. It is yet to be seen whether this requirement will have prescriptive guidelines.
• Immigration Skills Charge increase – This is to be increased by 32%, raising it from £1,000 per year of sponsorship to £1, 320 for medium or large sponsor or from £364 to £480 per year for small or charitable sponsors. Sponsors are encouraged to review the definition of ‘small size’ classifications (which changed on 6 April 2025) to ensure they are set up to be charged the correct ISC fees.
• Increased English language requirements – New applicants for Skilled Worker visas will need to meet higher English language level, moving from B1 level to B2 (equivalent to A Level or Higher exams). An English language requirement will also be introduced for new dependants, who will need to meet A1 level (Basic User). Although this is a basic level, it will add an additional step in the process for dependants and may require longer lead-in times for submission of applications.
• Changes to Settlement eligibility: The standard qualifying period for settlement for Skilled Worker visa holders will increase from 5 to 10 years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement based on contributions to the UK economy and society. The 5-year settlement route non-UK dependants of British citizens and safeguards for the vulnerable will remain in place. This will increase the number of visa extensions required, and long-term costs for employers hiring non-UK workers. Whether this change will apply to individuals already in the Skilled Worker route is not addressed in the paper. Further consultation will be required on this before any changes are implemented so it is unlikely for this to be an immediate change.
• Creation of the Labour Market Evidence (LME) Group: The Government will establish a new LME Group, formed of Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, DWP, Skills England (and equivalent orgs in devolved governments) and the MAC. These bodies will have an ongoing function to gather and share evidence about the state of the workforce, training levels and participation by the domestic labour market.

Other changes which impact non-sponsored routes are:

• Global Talent: Positively, the Government has indicated it will increase the number of people arriving on high talent routes. This also includes:
  • A review of the Innovator Founder route to support entrepreneurs;
  • Make it simpler and easier for top scientific and design talent to use the Global Talent visa;
  • Doubling the number of workers that can be sent under the UK Expansion Worker scheme; and
  • Doubling the number of qualifying institutes for the High Potential Individual visa.
• Changes to Citizenship eligibility: Citizenship rules will also change to align to earned settlement reforms, building on the expansion of the Points-Based System to settlement and citizenship.
• International Students & Graduates: Graduates will only be permitted to remain in the UK for 18 months (revised from the current 2 or 3 year period) under the Graduate visa route. The Government will also explore the introduction of a 6% levy on higher education provider income from international student tuition fees.

What is next and how to prepare  

The white paper is a blueprint for a proposed immigration policy and will require certain actions from the government before these changes become law.

We expect some of the changes to be implemented by way of a change in immigration rules, whilst others will require a consultation.

Changes made to the immigration rule normally require a 21-day notice before they are implemented. As of today, no statement of changes to the immigration rules has been published.

For changes which require consultation, we expect a lengthier process, and any changes (following the outcome of this consultation) are unlikely to be implemented this year.

In the meantime, UK businesses reliant on migrant workers should consider:

• Reviewing current business needs and bring forward any visa application timelines to reduce the immediate impact of these change (e.g. graduates switching onto the route);
• Reviewing recruitment budgets to account for increase in government fees associated with sponsorship and increase in settlement timelines;
• Reviewing skill levels of future recruitment needs and assessing if they will be impacted by an increase to the Skilled Worker skill level to RQF6; and
• Contributing to stakeholder engagement with the MAC to ensure the impact on your business is heard and fed into the consultations.

We will be monitoring these developments closely and issuing updates as things take shape. If you would like to discuss what these changes may mean for your business, please do get in touch with our immigration team.

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