Statement of Changes HC 1333: Major Reforms to UK Immigration Rules

On 14 October 2025, the UK government published the Statement of Changes HC 1333 which introduces a wide range of on-going reforms to the Immigration Rules. These changes build on the proposals set out in the Immigration White Paper, ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’. They affect English language requirements, visa durations, the structure of refusal/cancellation rules, family and private life routes, and more. The updates aim to streamline processes, enhance language requirements, and ensure migrants contribute effectively to the UK economy.

Major Changes in the Statement of Changes HC 1333

• Strengthening English Language Requirements for Economic Migration Routes

One of the significant reforms under the Statement of Changes HC 1333 is the raising of the English language threshold for certain economic migration categories. Under the revised rules, applicants for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual (HPI), and Scale-up routes must now meet B2 level English (as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR), up from the previous B1 requirement.

This elevated standard applies only to those applying for an initial grant of leave in the relevant routes from 8 January 2026 onward. Individuals already holding permission under a route requiring B1 may continue to use the B1 standard when seeking an extension within that same route.

The government’s aim is to ensure migrants applying under these skilled routes possess a stronger command of English, thereby improving integration, workplace productivity, and communication.

Reduction of Graduate Route Duration to 18 Months

The Graduate route, which currently allows overseas students pursuing a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree to stay for 2 years, upon completion of their course, will face a significant change according to the Statement of Changes HC 1333.

From 1 January 2027, application under the Graduate route (for undergraduate or master’s degree holders) will be reducing to 18 months from 24 months. However, the three-year stay for PhD graduates remains unchanged.

The shift is grounded in government data indicating many graduates granted with post-study work visa or graduate leave do not transition into graduate-level employment. The reduction aims to sharpen the purpose of the route, indication is clear- those who stay must move into skilled, contribution-oriented roles and progress in their job role

The change is projected to modestly reduce Student visa applications, affecting both visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge revenue.

• Enabling Students to transition to the Innovator Founder route

The Statement of Changes HC 1333 introduces a key adjustment for student visa holders to switch to the Innovator Founder route after completing their course to establish a business. This replaces the previous route that allowed switching into the Start-up visa, which is now closed to new applications.

Notably, effective 25 November 2025, this change provides a more direct pathway for student entrepreneurs to remain in the UK and grow their businesses under the formal Innovator Founder framework after the completion of their studies.

• Introduction of Part Suitability

A significant structural reform under Statement of Changes HC 1333 is the replacement of Part 9: Grounds for Refusal with introduction of Part Suitability. This becomes the central reference point for assessing refusal and cancellation on suitability grounds. The term, “suitability requirements”, aligns with newer, and simplified immigration routes.

As part of this update:

• Paragraph 39E, which previously outlined the exceptions for overstayers, has been absorbed by the newly introduced “Exceptions for Overstayers” section within Part Suitability.
• Numerous cross-references have been updated; outdated terms have been removed, and wordings are realigned to reflect this structural change.
• The definition of “permission” has been clarified to explicitly include both leave to enter and leave to stay, covering routes to settlement.

 These updates are part of a broader simplification initiative, aligning with the recommendations made by the Law Commission in January 2019 on the Simplification of the Immigration Rules, to make the rules more accessible and easier to navigate.

• Amendments to Family and Private Life Routes under Part Suitability

Currently, Appendix FM, Appendix Private Life, Appendix Adult Dependant Relative, and Appendix Settlement Family Life each have their own tailored suitability or refusal frameworks, which is distinct from Part 9. However, under the Statement of Changes HC 1333, those bespoke provisions are removed and is replaced by the Part Suitability As a result, the same suitability criteria will now govern family and private life routes, bringing consistency across all the immigration routes. This represents a shift toward a more unified structure of decision-making in immigration appeals and refusals.

• Changes to the Seasonal Worker (Temporary Work) Route

 Changes are being implemented to the rules regarding the duration a seasonal worker must be outside the UK before applying for a new seasonal work visa. Now, seasonal workers can spend no more than six months working in the UK within any rolling 10-month period, as opposed to the previous 12-month period. This adjustment allows for more frequent turnover while imposing stricter limits on continuous stay.

Other Major Updates Under Statement of Changes HC 1333

In addition to the changes outlined above, the Home Office has introduced several other significant updates under the Statement of Changes HC 1333, including:

• Introduction of UK Visit Visa Requirement for Botswana Nationals: From 25 November 2025, nationals of Botswana will be required to obtain a UK visit visa, replacing ETA eligibility. This change aims to better assess visitors before travel and address the high number of asylums claims from Botswana. A six-week transition period will apply for those with confirmed bookings made before the rule change.
• Recognition of Palestine and Visa Requirements: Following the UK’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine in September 2025, Palestinian nationals will officially include in the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa National List. They are required to obtain a visa or direct airside transit visa (DATV) before traveling to or transiting through the UK, with existing entry requirements under updated legal terminology.
• Easing Travel for German School Groups: According to Statement of Changes HC 1333, German school students aged 19 and under can visit the UK in groups of five or more without needing a visa or ETA and may travel using a national ID card instead of a passport.
• Update to Validity Requirements for Victims of Human Trafficking or Slavery: The validity requirements have been revised to align the Immigration Rules with caseworker guidance, clarifying the two application pathways; either through form FLR (HRO) or directly to a competent authority.
• Changes to Dependant Applications under Appendix Statelessness: From 11 November 2025, partners and children of a stateless person who were part of the family unit before the stateless person was granted permission to stay can apply under Appendix Statelessness, while those joining afterward must apply under the amended Appendix FM provisions.
• Expansion of High Potential Individual Route: The High Potential Individual route will expand to include double the number of eligible institutions, with an annual cap of 8,000 applications and exclusions applied for national security or foreign policy reasons.
• Updates to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme: The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme has been revised to align children’s permission with their parent or legal guardian, introduce residency requirements for applications, and clarify nationality, relationship, and validity rules for eligible Ukrainians and their family members in the UK.

Minor Changes to UK Immigration Rules

Beyond the major reforms, Statement of Changes HC 1333 carries several minor updates:

• Appendix Global Talent: The definition of talent in arts, culture, and architecture has been expanded, allowing architects to qualify based on contributions to group projects or international awards, aligning the criteria with other creative fields.
• EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS, Appendix EU): The changes clarify how holders of pre-settled status can transition to settled status if they have resided in the UK for at least 30 months within the most recent 60-month period. Additionally, they align the grounds for cancelling pre-settled status before arrival with the criteria for curtailing it in-country, allowing for cancellation if the requirements of Appendix EU were never met or are no longer met.
• Deletion of Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Rules: The rules for entry clearance and leave to remain under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, which stopped accepting new applications after 6 July 2025, have been formally deleted. Existing Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneurs can still apply for indefinite leave to remain until 6 July 2027.
• Appendix Government Authorised Exchange Schemes: Scheme names have been updated following departmental requests, and the Khebrat Leadership for Change Programme scheme endorsed by the Department of Education has been removed, as it is no longer active.

Implementation Timeline

These changes under Statement of Changes HC 1333 will not come into effect at once; different provisions take effect on different dates. Key dates include:

Other Major Updates Expected Soon

• Increment of Immigration Skill Charge

The UK Government has announced a 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), effective from 16 December 2025. Subject to regulatory approval, the higher charges will apply to sponsors of overseas workers under various routes, including the Skilled Worker route. The Government intends to impose the revised ISC based on company size. For instance, large sponsors will be required to pay £1,320 per sponsored worker per year (up from £1,000), whereas small or charitable sponsors will pay £480 per sponsored worker per year (up from £364). Employers are therefore encouraged to review their upcoming recruitment plans and consider assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) before the new rates take effect.

• Update on SOC 6131: Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants

The description for SOC 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) is set to be updated. Previously, for the purposes of the Immigration Salary List, this classification applied only to roles within environments where registered nurse positions were present. Under the revised guidance, it will be expanded to include environments where a registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles exist. This amendment reflects a broader and more inclusive approach to healthcare settings and recognises the wider range of professional supervision under which nursing auxiliaries and assistants may operate.

Key Takeaways

The Statement of Changes HC 1333 marks a significant step in the UK government’s ongoing efforts to simplify immigration rules while aligning them with economic needs and regulatory standards. By increasing English language requirements, restructuring suitability assessments, and refining visa pathways for students and skilled workers, the UK aims to maintain a controlled, efficient, and future-ready immigration system.

These changes are particularly important for international graduates, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers seeking opportunities in the UK, ensuring clarity, consistency, and fair participation in the country’s workforce and economy.