The 2025 Immigration White Paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” sets out wide‑ranging changes that will tighten many UK visa and settlement routes from 2026 onwards. The biggest shifts affect how long it takes to get settlement, who can qualify for work and family visas, and how long graduates can stay after their studies.
Longer route to settlement: “earned” ILR
A central proposal is to extend the standard qualifying period for settlement (indefinite leave to remain, ILR) from five to ten years for most Points Based System migrants and their dependants, including those on Skilled Worker visas. The White Paper also introduces an “earned settlement” concept, under which some people could secure ILR earlier than ten years if they meet contribution tests, such as working in priority sectors or hitting higher salary thresholds, though the criteria are not yet fully defined.
These changes are expected to be consulted on in late 2025, with implementation from 2026 at the earliest; there is concern that they might apply to people already in the UK on routes that currently lead to ILR after five years. Employers and migrants therefore need to plan on the assumption of longer temporary status unless and until the final rules clarify transitional protections.
Skilled Worker: higher skills and salary bars
The Skilled Worker route is due to become more restrictive. The White Paper proposes raising the minimum skill level for sponsored roles from RQF 3 (roughly A‑level) back up to RQF 6 (degree‑level jobs), significantly shrinking the list of eligible occupations. New applicants will also face higher salary requirements: the general Skilled Worker threshold has already risen to £41,700 for most new cases, with role‑specific going‑rate minima on top, and further uplifts are signalled.
Existing Skilled Workers in sub‑degree roles are expected to be “grandfathered” under current skill criteria and can usually extend or change employer without meeting the new RQF 6 test, although they will still need to keep pace with rising salary minima when they extend or settle. At the same time, the government wants to expand and simplify Global Talent and related high‑skill routes, including more pathways for research interns and expansion workers setting up UK branches.
Social care and lower‑paid routes under pressure
One of the most controversial ideas is the proposed removal of the overseas social care visa route as a standalone pathway, on the grounds that it has driven high migration into relatively low‑paid roles. The White Paper signals a broader move away from using work visas to fill lower‑wage, high‑turnover jobs, with the current Immigration Salary List (successor to the shortage list) to be phased out by the end of 2026.
For any remaining shortage‑type roles, new conditions are likely to include tighter salary floors, potential bans or restrictions on bringing dependants, and stronger English‑language and integration requirements. Employers in sectors that rely heavily on non‑graduate, lower‑paid staff will therefore need to rethink recruitment and retention strategies well ahead of 2026.
Student, Graduate and family route tightening
The White Paper also foreshadows stricter rules on students and their families. For graduates, the standard post‑study Graduate visa will be cut from 24 months to 18 months for most degree‑holders, with PhD graduates keeping a three‑year allowance; this change is due to apply to applications made on or after 1 January 2027 and reflects the White Paper’s aim of curbing “secondary migration” through post‑study work.
On family migration, the government plans to tighten Appendix FM further, for example through higher minimum income requirements, more demanding English‑language expectations (including for some dependants), and closer scrutiny of integration and self‑sufficiency before granting visas or settlement. While the basic spouse/partner framework will remain, joining or staying with family in the UK is likely to become harder and more expensive.
What applicants and sponsors should do now
Because many measures still need consultations and secondary legislation, there is a window in late 2025 and early 2026 for individuals and employers to adjust. Lawyers are advising potential Skilled Worker and family‑route applicants to bring forward first applications or ILR submissions where possible, so they can lodge under current five‑year and lower‑threshold rules before the new regime takes effect.
Sponsors should audit their migrant workforce, map which roles will still qualify at RQF 6 and above, and budget for higher salary thresholds, Immigration Skills Charge and Home Office fees. Students and graduates who plan to stay in the UK after study need to pay close attention to timing: those who can apply for the Graduate route before the 2027 cut‑off may still benefit from the full two‑year grant, whereas later cohorts face the shorter 18‑month route and tighter onward options.
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FAQs
Q1: When will the new 10‑year settlement rule start?
The government has said it will consult in late 2025 and that changes are unlikely to take effect before 2026, but exact dates and any transitional protections are still to be confirmed.
Q2: Will existing Skilled Worker visa holders be protected?
Those already in Skilled Worker roles before the new skill thresholds take effect should be able to extend under current occupation rules, but the White Paper leaves open the possibility that the longer 10‑year settlement period could still apply to them.
Q3: Is the Graduate visa being abolished?
No, but the standard Graduate visa is due to be shortened from 24 to 18 months for most applicants from 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates retaining three years.
