The Labour Government plans to make it harder for people to move to and settle in the UK, with a view to reducing immigration.
We have outlined the most important proposals the May 2025 White Paper addresses: –
The eight proposals are:
- Shortening the list of jobs for which employers can sponsor a worker from overseas for a Skilled Worker visa. Jobs assessed as being medium-skilled – RQF level 3 – cannot be filled from overseas unless the Migration Advisory Committee recommends an exemption and the industry is demonstrating efforts to recruit domestically.
How will reducing the occupation list impact UK Businesses: –
UK Business Will Focus on Upskilling and Reskilling:
- Businesses may be forced to invest more in the training and development of their existing workforce to fill gaps caused by the reduced pool of eligible foreign workers.
Increased Pressure on Existing Employees:
- With fewer options for recruitment, businesses may experience increased workloads and pressure on existing employees.
- Increased difficulty in filling roles:
- The government’s plans to restrict the Skilled Worker visa route for certain occupations, particularly those below degree-level roles, will make it harder to recruit and retain skilled workers
Overall, the changes to the Skilled Worker visa route will create challenges for many UK employers, particularly those in sectors that rely heavily on International Recruitment.
Employers will need to adapt their recruitment strategies, invest in training and development, and consider the potential impact on their business operations and growth plans.
- Ending an existing exemption for social care workers: employers will no longer be allowed to recruit them from abroad.
The recent crackdown on unauthorised care providers has resulted in approximately 40,000 workers being displaced, many of whom are eager to re-enter the workforce. They will have the chance to take on the roles they were promised, while comprehensive plans are developed to cultivate local talent for the care sector.
International workers who are already sponsored to work legally in this field will be allowed to extend their stay, switch sponsors, and apply for settlement, including those who need to change employers due to a sponsor licence revocation.
This government is dedicated to addressing these challenges and has pledged to establish fair pay agreements. These agreements will empower workers, employers, and other sector representatives to negotiate better employment terms. This initiative builds upon the announcement made in January regarding the expansion of the Care Workforce Pathway, which aims to professionalise the adult social care sector.
The government is considering a levy that it claims will be reinvested in the higher education and skills system. While no specific figure has been disclosed, it is believed to be around 6 per cent.
According to the proposed changes, graduate visas will be shortened to 18 months, and the conditions that sponsoring universities must fulfil to recruit international students will be made more stringent.
The UK government has highlighted issues related to the “misuse and exploitation of student visas,” as well as an increasing number of graduates who remain in the UK after completing their studies without transitioning into graduate-level employment.
- Making it harder for universities to keep their licence to sponsor student visas by introducing tougher compliance rules.
These changes could make the UK a less attractive destination for international students and potentially lead to a decline in their numbers.
- Reducing the standard length of the Graduate visa, for international students to stay on and work in the UK, from two years to 18 months.
The Graduate visa has not been officially changed yet, and the reduction to 18 months is still a proposal. A formal statement of changes to the Immigration Rules is required to implement this change.
- Stricter English language rules: higher standards for those taking language tests and requiring the partners of people moving to the UK on work visas to have basic English to qualify for a ‘dependant’ visa.
Adult dependents of visa holders, including spouses and partners, are now required to demonstrate a basic understanding of English (CEFR Level A1) to qualify for a “dependent” visa. This requirement will also apply to students. Dependants will need to show progression to the A2 level at extension stages and the B2 level to secure settled status.
A higher standard of B2 level English will be required, reflecting an upper-intermediate level of fluency and demonstrating genuine integration.
- Increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria yet to be decided.
This change will apply to most visa categories, with some exceptions, including non-UK dependents of British citizens who will continue to have a five-year pathway. Individuals may also have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period based on “points-based contributions to the UK economy and society”.
Furthermore, individuals with post-Brexit residence rights through the EU Settlement Scheme are entitled to permanent residence after five years, as stipulated in Article 15 of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.
The government aims to move away from an automatic settlement based solely on time spent in the UK and towards a system where settlement is earned through contributions.
A points-based system will be used to determine contributions to the economy and society, potentially allowing some individuals to qualify for settlement in less than 10 years.
- Making it easier for people to come to the UK on certain visas aimed at highly skilled migrants, such as the Global Talentand High Potential This is the only measure of the eight designed to increase immigration.
These visas allow individuals to work and live in the UK, contributing to the economy and innovation. Both visa routes contribute to the UK’s economy by attracting and retaining talented individuals who can drive innovation and growth in addition this visa does not require a sponsor or job offer, but applicants must meet specific qualifications.