On 12 May 2025, the Home Office published the UK immigration white paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”. It set out the MAC’s proposal to reduce net migration to sustainable levels, link immigration to UK skills and training, and reinforce control and fairness across all visa routes. The purpose of the immigration white paper 2025 is to increase the Skilled Worker visa threshold to degree-level roles, pausing adult social care recruitment from abroad, and establishing a Labour Market Evidence Group to verify genuine labour demands.
For employers, these changes mean stricter compliance requirements, higher fees such as an increased Immigration Skills Charge, and potential skills shortages in sectors reliant on lower-skilled labour. Skilled professionals face more rigorous entry criteria, extended settlement periods shifting from five to ten years, and elevated English language requirements for both primary applicants and dependants. Families of migrant workers, in particular, should pay close attention to the new English language thresholds, and longer pathways to settlement, each of which will significantly impact dependants’ rights, access to services, and long-term integration prospects in the UK.
Overview of the New Immigration White Paper Reforms
The UK Immigration White Paper 2025, titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, outlines a clear plan for reshaping UK migration policy. A major proposal in the immigration White Paper 2025 is the formation of a new group called the Labour Market Evidence Group, which is responsible for gathering and sharing hard data on occupational skill gaps and domestic recruitment trends. The aim is to ensure that future visa rules and workforce strategies are driven by real-time labour market intelligence, rather than defaulting to increased migration.
With a vision to reduce the hiring of overseas workers, the UK Immigration White Paper proposes a return to degree-level thresholds (RQF 6) for the Skilled Worker route, the introduction of a temporary shortage list (subject to review by the Labour Market Evidence Group), and other measures. Additionally, the MAC plans to end the recruitment of all future social care workers until 2028.
Proposed Immigration Rules that may be Implemented as Law
‘Immediate changes to immigration rules’ are mentioned in paragraph 45 of the chapter 2 of the report “Migration, Labour Market and Growth”. However, it is yet to be clear what those changes entail. On the other hand, paragraph 47 of the same chapter states that “the first stage of our reforms will mean much tighter restrictions on and reductions in lower-skilled migration, including changes to the Skilled Worker Visa, making support for shortage occupations temporary and linking immigration with skills and training, while also doing more to support exceptional global talent coming to the UK.” Thus, these rules may be included in the imminent changes.
- Formation of Labour Market Evidence Group
In the UK immigration White Paper, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) proposed the formation of a new group known as the Labour Market Evidence Group. The aim of this group is to gather data on the labour market. In paragraphs 59 to 62, it states that this group will be comprised of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, the Department for Work and Pensions, Skills England and the Migration Advisory Committee.
According to the proposal in the immigration White Paper, the sectors that require high levels of recruitment from overseas will provide workforce strategies outlining what needs to be upskilled, training, and other work conditions, as well as how they will collaborate with people already in the UK who are not in the workforce. Employers are expected to comply with the strategies formulated by this group. However, there are no further details available at the moment about how it will work or be enforced.
- Raising the Qualification Level of Skilled Workers
As per the section Skilled Workers: Raising the Threshold (Paragraphs 66-69) in the immigration White Paper, the qualification threshold for the skilled worker route will be reinstated from RQF 3 to RQF 6. In 2020, the government lowered the threshold from RQF 6 to RQF 3 as compensation for the loss of free movement and easy access to workers from the EU after Brexit. The UK immigration White Paper states that the list of eligible occupations might be reduced by around 180.
On the other hand, as per paragraph 71, existing skilled worker visa holders who fall below RQF 6 will remain on the route and can renew their visas or be eligible for employment changes. Thus, the demand for this group of workers might turn out to be relatively high due to the inability of employers to bring new people from overseas.
Other occupations that wish to access the immigration system below RQF 6 must have their sector looked at by the Labour Market Evidence Group, who will assess workforce shortage and skills/training needs and have a workforce strategy.
- Updated Shortage Occupation List
As per paragraph 70 under Skilled Workers: Raising the Thresholds in the Immigration White Paper, the MAC is planning to abolish the Appendix Immigration Salary List and formulate Appendix Temporary Shortage List. In contrast, according to the section Temporary Shortage List (Paragraph 72), this will provide time-limited access to the points-based immigration system, especially for roles that are below RQF 6. However, there might be restrictions on bringing dependents for this group.
From paragraphs 73 to 77, the Migration Advisory Committee suggests the formulation of a new Temporary Shortage List to provide time-limited access to the points-based immigration system. The Temporary Shortage List is mainly intended for occupations below RQF 6 to gain access to the immigration system.
Sectors would be added to the Temporary Shortage List based on advice from the MAC, considering their importance to the industrial strategy or their role in delivering critical infrastructure. The requirements of the Temporary Shortage List will include proper workforce strategies aimed at utilising the UK workforce to its maximum potential, including training and other measures.
It states that overseas recruitment for the social care visa will close to new applicants until 2028. In paragraph 80, the MAC provides justification for this proposal, citing “significant concerns over abuse and exploitation of individual workers.” At the same time, they would extend permit visas and in-country switching for overseas individuals who are already in the country with working rights.
- Opportunities for Refugees
Refugees who have been forced to flee their home countries due to persecution often face significant barriers in accessing employment opportunities and skilled worker visas in the UK, despite possessing the necessary qualifications and experience. In paragraph 83 of the section on Refugee Employment, the proposed reforms, informed by the Displaced Talent Programme, aim to address this issue by enabling a limited pool of UNHCR-recognised refugees and displaced individuals residing overseas to apply for jobs through existing sponsored worker routes, provided they meet the required skill criteria.
- Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skill Charge (ISC) was introduced in 2017. Since then, it has neither increased nor been subject to a comprehensive policy review. According to the new proposal from the MAC in the UK immigration White Paper (paragraphs 84-46), the ISC paid by employers would increase by 32%. The money raised from the charge will be used to upskill the domestic workforce in priority sectors.
- Global Talent Route
In a competitive global landscape where nations strive to attract top-tier talent, the UK is enhancing its immigration system to secure the brightest and best individuals who can contribute to economic growth. The system currently offers targeted routes, such as the Innovator Founder visa for entrepreneurs and the Global Talent and High Potential Individual (HPI) routes for leaders in key fields.
To further support strategic industries and innovation, the MAC plans to increase the intake on high-talent visa routes, expand opportunities for research interns, particularly in areas like Artificial Intelligence, and simplify the Global Talent visa process for scientific and design professionals. Reforms will also include reviewing the Innovator Founder visa to support entrepreneurial graduates better, doubling the number of workers overseas businesses can send to establish a UK presence, and expanding the HPI route by increasing the number of qualifying institutions (Paragraph 89).
- English Language Requirement
The section “The Case for Change” (paragraphs 244-258) in the UK Immigration White Paper emphasises the critical role of English language proficiency in successful integration. Effective communication is essential for participating in civic duties, engaging with local communities and services, and accessing employment opportunities. Studies show that migrants with stronger English skills are more likely to be economically active and employed in higher-skilled roles, while those with limited language abilities face a higher risk of isolation and lower job prospects (paragraph 252).
To strengthen integration outcomes, the MAC proposed expanding English language requirements across a wider range of immigration routes. This includes raising the minimum English proficiency level for Skilled Workers from B1 to B2, introducing new requirements for adult dependents of workers and students at the A1 level, and mandating progression to A2 for visa extensions and B2 for settlement.
These changes aim to ensure that all migrants, both principal applicants and their family members, are better equipped to participate fully in UK society. The government will also increase support for English language learning for individuals already in the UK by improving access to classes in collaboration with other departments and local authorities.
- UK Settlement
The UK government is introducing a reformed approach to settlement, including the Earned Settlement in the UK Immigration White Paper 2025, which emphasises long-term contributions to the country. Settlement, a key step towards British citizenship, saw 162,000 grants in 2024, a 35% increase from 2023, driven by the wave of migrants who arrived between 2015 and 2019 and have now become eligible (paragraph 260). However, the current criteria, primarily time spent in the UK and passing the Life in the UK Test, are considered insufficient for promoting integration or recognising meaningful contributions to society.
To address this, the qualifying period for settlement will be extended from five to ten years, with a continued five-year route available for non-UK dependants of British citizens who meet compliance standards. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) proposed introducing a points-based system allowing individuals to reduce their qualifying period based on their economic and social contributions. Immediate reforms will also include a new route for bereaved parents and clearer settlement pathways for children without status, including those in care. A broader consultation on these changes is expected later this year.
The immigration white paper does not say how these points would be earned or how much of a reduction on the ten-year qualifying period would be available. The promised consultation is likely to cover these issues.
Will People Already in the UK Be Affected by the Proposed Changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
As of now, the government has not provided definitive clarity on whether individuals already in the UK under existing immigration routes will be subject to the proposed extension of the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It remains uncertain whether the changes will apply solely to new arrivals after the implementation date or will also affect those currently on the path to settlement.
During a parliamentary statement on 12 May 2025, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed the issue, stating:
“We will set out further details of the earned settlement and citizenship reforms later this year, and we will consult on them. There will be plenty of opportunity for people to comment on and consider the detail, but it is important that we extend the sense of contributions and the points-based system to those reforms as well.”
(House of Commons, 12 May 2025, column 53)
She further added:
“We want the settlement rules to be amended as swiftly as possible and to apply widely, but we will consult on the detail, and it is right that we do so.”
(House of Commons, 12 May 2025, column 68)
The technical annex accompanying the immigration white paper offers some indication that existing residents may indeed be impacted. It notes: “a number of those currently in the UK are likely to leave due [to] it taking longer to gain settled status” (Technical Annex, para. 11). This suggests that the Home Office does anticipate the changes affecting those already present in the UK.
This interpretation is echoed in recent media coverage by the BBC and Financial Times, both of which cite government sources suggesting the intention is for the changes to apply broadly, though potentially with transitional provisions for individuals nearing eligibility under the current rules.
Several Members of Parliament have raised written questions seeking clarification. However, responses thus far, such as to PQ 52056 and PQ 52969 (both answered on 21 May 2025), have confirmed that these details will be addressed during the upcoming consultation process.
In summary, while the direction of policy appears to suggest a broad application of the proposed changes, final decisions remain pending and will be shaped by the consultation process later this year.
When Will the Proposed Immigration Changes Come into Effect?
At present, there is no confirmed implementation date for any of the proposals outlined in the recently published immigration white paper. According to the accompanying government press release, the measures are expected to be introduced “over the course of this Parliament,” which means any time between now and 2029. However, it is anticipated that certain proposals may be enacted “in the coming weeks.”
One of the most discussed proposals in the immigration White Paper, particularly among media outlets is the potential extension of the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Importantly, the immigration white paper clarifies that this particular change will be subject to a formal consultation process, scheduled to take place “later this year.” As a result, no immediate changes to the ILR qualifying criteria are expected.
Final Thought
The UK Immigration White Paper 2025 signals a significant shift in immigration policy, with a clear intent to tighten control, prioritise domestic workforce development, and link migration more directly to national skills strategies. Key reforms include raising the UK Skilled Worker visa threshold to degree-level roles, temporarily halting overseas recruitment in adult social care, and forming the Labour Market Evidence Group to ensure migration policy is backed by real-time labour market data.
Employers will face stricter compliance and increased costs, while migrants, especially those in lower-skilled roles and their families, will encounter more rigorous entry and settlement criteria. Enhanced English language requirements and a longer settlement timeline underscore the government’s focus on integration and contribution. While routes for high-skilled global talent and refugees offer expanded opportunities, the overarching direction is clear, a more selective and domestically aligned immigration system focused on long-term sustainability and fairness.
