New immigration rules were published 14.10.2025 affecting a wide range of immigration routes. Most of the changes had already been announced in the earlier immigration white paper but there are a few surprises included in what is formally known as Statement of Changes HC 1333.
Immigration Skills Charge increasing by 32%
The Immigration Skills Charge is levied directly on employers and is a fee per year of a worker’s employment with temporary leave. It was previously set at £1,000 per year in 2017 and will increase to £1,320 per year.
Changes to English language requirements for economic migration routes
The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).
The new requirements will apply to those seeking an initial grant of leave in a relevant route following the implementation of these provisions on 8 January 2026. Those who have already obtained a permission where they were required to show a B1 level, will continue to be subject to a B1 level requirement where they are seeking an extension on the same route.
High Potential Individual
The government is doubling the number of universities whose graduates can use the route but also capping the number of places that are available in this route at 8,000 per year. The High Potential Individual visa route is aimed at attracting graduates from top universities worldwide.
The press release goes on to say:
The number of people coming to the UK through the HPI route is expected to double from 2,000 to 4,000, giving graduates from the world’s best universities the chance to base their careers in the UK.
Global Talent
The Global Talent Route is also getting some love, with the gateway list of eligible prizes to be expanded along with some changes helpful to architects. Architect applicants will be allowed to provide evidence of their achievements as a named member of a group or contributor, as well for their work as an individual, and provide evidence of significantly contributing to being shortlisted or nominated for an international architectural award.
There’s more to come in 2026, apparently:
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.
Duration of stay under the Graduate route reduced to 18 months
The Graduate route currently allows eligible graduates who have successfully completed a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or other relevant qualification to remain in the UK for two years, and PhD graduates for three years.
This is being reduced to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
Students to transition to the Innovator Founder route
A small tweak but a welcome one for those who benefit. With effect from 25 November 2025, a student will be permitted to be self employed, for example to establish a business, where they have completed their course and are switching to the Innovator Founder route. This is how it used to work for those switching into the old Start-up route.
The financial requirements for student visas will be increased for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Appendix Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker
Seasonal workers will be able to spend no more than six months working in the UK during any rolling 10-month period, rather than any rolling 12-month period under the previous rules. There’s also a 4 month cooling off period before a person who was previously working as a seasonal worker may re-enter in the same category. The new rules apply for applications made on or after 11 November 2025.
Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana
With immediate effect at 3pm today, 14 October 2025, but with some transitional protections.
Recognition of Palestine: changes to the visa national list
Palestine has also been added to the visa national list, with effect from 11 November 2025, meaning Palestinians too must apply for a visa before attempting to travel to the UK.
German school groups travel
Taking effect on 11 November, German students under the age of 19 can come to the UK without an advance permission (an ETA or visa) when they are travelling as part of a school party of five or more. It also allows EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals aged 19 and under who are studying at the school to travel on a national identity card rather than passport.
Introduction of dependants for Stateless people
Appendix Statelessness is amended so that a partner or child of a stateless person may apply for entry clearance or permission to stay under Appendix Statelessness from 11 November 2025 where they formed part of the family unit before a stateless person was granted permission to stay. Those applying as a dependant on this route will need to meet the relevant partner or child requirements.
Alternatively, where the partner or child of a Stateless Person are not themselves stateless and formed part of the family unit after a stateless person was granted permission, they may now apply to come to or stay in the UK under the family provisions in Appendix FM.
