The Government has published a further Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules following the release of its Restoring Control Over the Immigration System White Paper in May 2025 and its Statement of Changes in July 2025.
How do the recent changes to immigration affect my employees on a Skilled Worker visa?
The latest reforms that are likely to impact employers include the following.
- From 14 October 2025, the introduction of a Visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana visiting the UK and removing Botswana from the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Transitional arrangements apply.
- From 4 November 2025, the High Potential Individual visa route will be expanded by doubling the number of eligible institutions that applicants can have graduated from.
- From 11 November 2025, Palestine will be added to the visa national list which means that Palestinian nationals will need a visa to visit the UK.
- From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement will increase from B1 level to B2 level (A-Level standard) for those applying for an initial grant of leave as a main applicant on the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up visa routes. Those who have already obtained a permission based on the B1 level requirement will continue to be subject to the lower level when applying for an extension on the same route.
- From 1 January 2027, new applicants on the Graduate route will be granted a visa for 18 months only, reduced from two years (PhD graduates will continue to be granted a three-year visa).
The changes to the English language requirement do not currently apply to applications for indefinite leave to remain.
The Government has also announced that the Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32% on 16 December 2025, subject to Parliamentary approval. The Immigration Skills Charge is payable by the employer when sponsoring a migrant worker under the Skilled Worker or Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility) visa routes unless an exemption applies. The charge will be payable as follows:
- small companies or charities — £480 (increased from £364) for periods of employment up to 12 months, plus £240 (increased from £182) for each subsequent six-month period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship
- large companies — £1320 (increased from £1000) for periods of employment up to 12 months, plus £660 (increased from £500) for each subsequent six-month period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship.