The immigration policy white paper was released on 12 May 2025 and there were subsequent Skilled Worker rule changes on 22 July. On 14 October the Home Office released a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules setting out further upcoming rule amendments flowing from the white paper. There was also a Home Office press release.
Here is a summary of some of the upcoming changes announced in the statement of changes:
- English language test level. Meeting an English language requirement has already been a normal feature of most visa applications. If the applicant is not from a majority English speaking country and does not have a degree taught in English they need to take an approved English language test.
The announcement means that for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes the required English test level will increase from level B1 to level B2 (A level standard English). That will only be for those applying to the relevant routes for the first time from 8 January 2026. Anyone already in one of the routes before 8 January 2026 can continue to meet level B1 in their future applications.
- High Potential Individual. This route is for those who have graduated from a top-ranked global university in the last 5 years and gives a 2-year visa (or 3 years for PhD graduates). The announcement confirms that from 4 November 2025 the list of eligible universities will be doubled. This opens up the route more as an option for UK employers recruiting overseas talent, albeit time spent in the route does not count towards settlement (indefinite leave to remain). The route will also be capped at 8,000 applications per year (from 1 November each year).
- Graduate route. The Graduate route currently enables graduates of UK universities to obtain a 2-year visa (or 3 years for PhD graduates). The announcement confirms future planned changes. From 1 January 2027 Graduate route visas will be granted for 18 months (PhD graduates will still get 3 years).
- Global Talent. The Global Talent category is for those with recognised exceptional talent/promise in various fields - including science, digital technology and arts and culture. The announcements included:
- Architects – in a welcome move, from 11 November 20225 applicants within the architectural field will be able to provide evidence of their achievements as a named member of a group or contributor, as well for their work as an individual. Additionally, applicants will be allowed to provide evidence of significantly contributing to being shortlisted or nominated for an international architectural award to qualify.
- Prestigious prizes – if an applicant has received a prize on the Home Office’s list of prestigious prizes, they do not need to apply for prior endorsement by a recognised body. From 11 November 2025, the prestigious prizes list will be expanded to include 27 extra prizes (details can be seen on pages 64 -71 of the statement of changes).
- Further changes next year – the Home Office press release includes that “The government aims to double the number of highly skilled people coming to the UK on our high skilled routes, including the best researchers, designers, and creatives working in film and TV to ensure continued competitiveness in growth sectors. Further changes, including to the Global Talent route, will be made in 2026.”
- Architects – in a welcome move, from 11 November 20225 applicants within the architectural field will be able to provide evidence of their achievements as a named member of a group or contributor, as well for their work as an individual. Additionally, applicants will be allowed to provide evidence of significantly contributing to being shortlisted or nominated for an international architectural award to qualify.
Separately, the Home Office sent employers and sponsors an email on 14 October with some other updates, including:
- Settlement consultation. The consultation on ‘earned’ settlement and the potential increase in the qualifying period from 5 to 10 years is still expected later this year (in the meantime the Home Affairs Select Committee has launched a separate call for evidence).
- Preventing illegal working. The Home Office will shortly launch a 6-week public consultation on extending right to work checks to cover a wider range of working arrangements for example those working in the gig economy.
- eVisa transition. In July 2025 the Home Office stopped issuing 90-day visas in passports of main applicant non-EU nationals applying outside the UK for a Skilled Worker visa (and some other study and work routes). Instead they have needed to create a UKVI account to have an eVisa. From 30 October this will be expanded to their dependent family members and to main applicants and dependants applying in most other routes.
further information
If you have any questions about the issues raised above or any other immigration matter please contact a member of the immigration team.
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