Kim Day | Senior Immigration Adviser

What does the 2025 White Paper mean for the Future of UK Immigration?

08/06/2025

As you might have seen in the news, the government published a UK immigration White Paper on 12th May 2025 titled “Restoring control over the immigration system”. In this 80-page document, they outlined their plans to change many parts of the country’s immigration rules in the near future, all of which will make visas and eventual settlement in the UK harder to obtain.

We’ve written this blog to explain all of the proposed changes outlined in this UK immigration White Paper. We’ve also explained when they might come into effect, the action you should take now, and what they mean for the UK’s system in the future.

What Changes Will Be Made Based on the May 2025 UK Immigration White Paper?

The May 2025 UK immigration White Paper lists many different proposals for change to UK immigration. They impact almost all parts of the current system, including settlement, working visas, rules for dependants and more.

We’ve deciphered all 80 pages of the UK immigration White Paper and outlined the main changes proposed:

Increasing the RQF threshold for Skilled Workers to graduate level (RQF Level 6). Also increasing minimum salary levels for Skilled Worker (although actual figures for those increases have not yet been provided).
Increasing the English Language requirement to B2 for Skilled Workers. Also increasing the English Language requirement for all visa holders and dependents, who will initially need to show A1, increasing over time to A2 for extensions and B2 for ILR
Abolishing the Immigration Salary List and replacing it with a new Temporary Shortage List
Abolishing all visas for care workers for applicants outside the UK, with the current plan to establish a transition period where in-country switching and visa extensions will be permitted only until 2028
Increasing the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) by 32%
Reducing the length of stay on Graduate visas to 18 months
Increasing the salary threshold for all visa holders who seek to bring dependants with them to the UK
Changing UK Settlement rules so that most applicants will need to demonstrate 10 years residence in the UK instead of the current 5-year route before qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. There will be an opportunity to reduce the qualifying period based on points-based contributions to the UK economy and society. Similar changes will apply to Citizenship applications

You can read through the full UK immigration White Paper here if you’re interested in learning more about any of these proposed changes.

When Will the New UK Immigration Rules Happen?

It’s important to remember that this UK immigration White Paper is just a statement of policy – at the moment these are proposed changes and will need to be debated in parliament before they’re passed.

These new rules will be outlined in the upcoming Border Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill, for which Royal Assent (the process of the UK monarchy’s approval) is scheduled for summer 2025.

The UK government hasn’t released an official timetable for any of these changes.

However, it’s highly likely that these changes will come into effect soon. We would estimate some of the proposals starting in autumn of this year. But there’s no way of knowing for sure at the moment - you can keep up to date with the progress of the bill on this Parliamentary Bills page

We will also work to inform all of our clients as soon as further information becomes available. If you haven’t already done so, we’d encourage you to sign up for our newsletter so you also receive these updates.

What Action Should I Take Based on the May 2025 UK Immigration White Paper?

Our main piece of advice is to act now if you’re planning to make a new visa application or if you’re hoping to bring dependants to the UK. We expect that you will have transitional protection if you apply before these changes come into effect.

If you’re a Sponsor Licence company hoping to hire more Skilled Workers soon, it’s also advisable to start your recruitment drive now. After these changes, it won’t be possible to hire for certain positions like dental nurses, administrative roles, builders or chefs under the Skilled Worker route.

What Does the White Paper Mean for the Future of UK Immigration?

This White Paper serves as yet another tightening of UK immigration rules. Visa rules have become harder to meet under several successive governments, and this unfortunately seems to be the current policy intention for this Labour government.

We want to reassure you that we’ll always be on hand to advise and support on any UK immigration applications. These changes represent even stricter and more restrictive measures to prevent free movement to the country. But we remain committed to making sure everyone hoping to move to the UK or bring family to join them can access the support and advice they need to navigate these rules.

We continue to operate our free 30 minute enquiry service, so if you have any questions at all about the UK immigration White Paper, your current visa or a future application, please contact us directly.