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2025 UK immigration rules overview
Table of Contents
Introduction for the 2025 UK immigration rules updates
This is the first full year that the Labour Government has had leading the country since winning the 2024 General Election. Throughout 2025, they have been very active, with seven Statement of Changes being announced, alongside other major announcements like the Immigration White Paper from which several plans have already been implemented.
In this article, we will go over the most impactful 2025 UK immigration rules that were introduced and announced in 2025. Then, we will look to the future to see what might come next year.
Please note that updates from statements later in the year may have overruled some from earlier on in the year.
Updates from 2024 implemented in 2025
Before we discuss what was released in this year’s Statements of Changes, we will take a look at some of the updates from 2024 that were enforced in 2025.
Ukraine Schemes
In the November 2024 Statement of Changes, it was announced that from 4 February 2025, the Ukraine Extension Scheme that allowed Ukrainian nationals to extend their leave in the UK, would close.
It was then replaced by the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which allowed them to extend their stay in the UK to 18 months. This also applied to their children that were born in the UK.
Additionally, Ukrainians being sponsored to come to the UK through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme could no longer come here using an open-ended permission to travel letter. Originally, this allowed people to quickly flee to the UK to seek sanctuary without having their biometrics taken. From 13 February 2025, they needed to go to a biometrics centre to have them taken.
Aside from the changes to the Ukraine Schemes, not much else from 2024 was announced to be introduced in 2025.
March 2025 Statement of Changes
The first Statement of Changes of 2025 was announced on 12 March. It had a large scope, with many rules receiving updates.
Health and Care Worker route
From 9 April 2025, it was made a requirement that care providers must first try to recruit workers already in the UK before recruiting any from overseas. They also needed to show proof of their efforts.
This was to change the reliance of UK companies on overseas workers and also to end the exploitation of workers who travel to the UK for jobs that turn out to be fake.
Salary requirements
The minimum salary for all Worker Visas increased alongside the National Living Wage in April.
This meant that the minimum salary for Worker Visas went up from £11.90 an hour to £12.82 per hour, or from £23,200 a year to £25,000 a year.
Trinidad and Tobago Visa requirement
As of 23 April 2025, people from Trinidad and Tobago were subjected to a Visitor Visa requirement again after being taken off the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) list.
The Government did this because nationals of the country were coming to the UK and carrying out activities that are not permitted on the ETA, such as attempting to live and work in the UK.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme
This scheme was extended to allow under-18s to apply if they were given Leave to Enter outside the Immigration Rules.
Previously, only children whose parents were on the Homes for Ukraine route could apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
Additionally, step-parents were classed as parents under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, but under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme they are classed as relatives. Under both schemes, they are now classed as relatives.
This is important because a requirement was added stating parents who are joined by a child in the UK have to be lawfully resident in the country.
EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was given a few updates in the March 2025 Statement of Changes.
- Anyone with a pending administrative review of a decision for the EUSS will not be removed from the UK if they have not left and returned to the UK previously, but also have not been granted entry.
- People who became EU, EEA or Swiss citizens after the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020 cannot sponsor their family members for EUSS applications.
- Both EUSS and EUSS family permit applications can be rejected on suitability grounds
- Any non-EU nationals who apply to the EUSS can use their UK biometric resident permit or card as proof of their identity and nationality, even if it has been expired for 18 months
Other updates
Other than what we have mentioned above, there were some other updates that are less notable but may still impact some people.
For example, caseworkers can refuse applications to the Short-term Study Visa if they feel people do not have a genuine intention to study, or if they believe the applicant will not leave the UK upon the expiry of their visa.
If you would like to know about the other changes in the statement, then feel free to click the linked text at the start of this section.
June 2025 Statement of Changes
Three months after the previous one came the June 2025 Statement of Changes. Many different areas of the immigration rules were impacted by this statement, with many receiving more minor updates.
EU Settlement Scheme
The EUSS once again received some updates that came into effect a month after the statement was announced.
Holders of pre-settled status who have been in the UK for 30 months in the most recent 60-month period now qualify for settled status.
This came as a result of the definition of the continuous qualifying period being amended in regards to permitted absences, so more people can now automatically get settled status.
Long residence
A noteworthy update is that anyone who was deprived of British citizenship will not have their time as a citizen count towards the requirement for 10 years’ long residence.
Private life
In this statement it was announced that getting settlement under the rules for private life were being extended for those over 18. They must meet or have previously met the requirements of the half-life test.
Essentially, someone who came to the UK as a child, spent half their life here, and is currently aged between 18 and 25 can settle in the UK.
Furthermore, any children who had or still have leave from before 20 June 2022, can apply for settlement. To be eligible, they must have been in the UK for seven years.
Restricted leave
This rule exists so that a foreign national who has broken the rules in the UK cannot be deported if doing so would break the European Convention on Human Rights.
It was updated to include those who have not been granted refugee status.
Other changes
Whilst the June 2025 Statement of Changes touched upon a few areas of the immigration rules, the updates were not extensive. Some modifications were just fixing wording issues, or were too specific to be considered noteworthy.
Click the link at the start of the section if you would like to learn more.
July 2025 Statement of Changes
Shortly after the previous statement came the July 2025 Statement of Changes. In this release, the Government mainly focussed on the Skilled Worker Visa and related topics.
Many of the updates were impactful and useful to know for employers and workers alike.
Immigration Salary List replacement
In the Immigration White Paper, it was announced that the Immigration Salary List would be replaced with the Temporary Shortage List. For the time being, they exist side by side, but the old list will eventually be phased out.
The new list will make it so that roles on it will be temporary, and will be chosen based on what the country needs the most at a given time.
Skills thresholds
Jobs that are available on a Skilled Worker Visa must now be at level 6 or above according to the Regulations Qualifications Framework (RQF). Roles on the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List will be at a lower level.
Basically, people who want to work in the UK will need to have a high skill job to be able to work here.
Health and Care Worker route closure
As discussed in the Immigration White Paper, the Health and Care Worker route was to be closed. The July 2025 Statement of Changes finally brought an end to a route that the Government had constantly given big updates to so as to try and make it easier to regulate.
Their reasoning for closing the route was that there had been an overreliance on overseas workers, as well as too much exploitation of workers on the route with either poor working conditions, or fake job listings.
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
The final notable update of the July 2025 Statement of Changes is the only one not related to Skilled Workers.
It saw the closure of the Afghan Relocations, which was originally created as a way for Afghan nationals to relocate to the UK if they had worked with the UK in the past.
The Government closed it as four years had passed since its introduction in the face of the new Afghan government being formed, and other countries had been doing the same.
August and September 2025 Statement of Changes
For the purposes of this article, we are putting these two statements in the same section as they cover similar topics and they are both short.
Border deal with France
The August 2025 Statement of Changes dealt only with one thing, which was the signing of a treaty with France to return people who have crossed the English channel.
Essentially, the UK can return those who have crossed the border. Then, the UK must take in people who are waiting in France to reach the UK through safer and legitimate means, who also have the proper documentation.
The number of people brought in from France will always be equal to the number of people removed from the UK.
It is known as the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme. The people in France who want to come to the UK will need to apply to the scheme.
Family Reunion applications suspension
This is the first of two updates from the September 2025 Statement of Changes. Essentially, this is a route into the UK that allows refugees to bring their families to the UK and reunite; it has been paused so it can be reviewed and potentially be updated in the future.
The Government stated that it has suspended the route because there are no requirements for people to have the means to support their families before they travel to the UK and reunite. As a result of this, the Government has said that it puts more strain on public services and local authorities, which is why the route has been paused.
Appendix FM applications from a partner or child of a protected person
Appendix FM deals with family members of immigration status holders in the UK. In the Statement of Changes, it has been modified to allow for applications from the partners and children of protected people who have leave to remain in the UK.
Like other applications that are covered by Appendix FM, applicants will need to either pay the application fee, or get a fee waiver; they must also meet all the financial and English language requirements.
In particular, this update aims to make sure that the child always remains with those who have parental responsibility for them, and ensure that a child is not brought to the UK without the permission of both parents.
However, if someone fails to show they have sole parental responsibility, the child can still be granted permission to enter the UK if there are serious family circumstances that will negatively impact the child if they are not allowed entry.
October saw the biggest Statement of Changes of the year with there being many updates that will affect a large number of people, as well as some less notable ones.
October 2025 Statement of Changes
October saw the biggest Statement of Changes of the year with there being many updates that will affect a large number of people, as well as some less notable ones.
English language requirement for economic routes
To begin, the most important update to be aware of is that the English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual, and Scale-up routes will increase from 8 January 2026. Whilst the High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes have a more specific purpose, the Skilled Worker route is the most popular route into the UK.
Originally, the requirement was set at B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Now, it will be set at B2.
With stricter requirements on the level of English knowledge to be able to apply for the Skilled Worker route in particular, we will see a drop in immigration numbers.
Botswana visa requirement
Like with several other countries we have mentioned so far, Botswana was removed from the list of countries that can apply for an ETA. Therefore, nationals of Botswana will need to apply for a Visitor Visa for short trips to the UK.
The Government’s reasoning for this was that since 2022, a high number of Botswanans were coming to the UK on visitor routes and then applying for asylum.
Graduate Visa reduced duration of stay
Another very impactful update came to the Graduate Visa, though it will not come into effect until 1 January 2027. This was one of the announcements outlined in the Immigration White Paper.
Those who have studied in the UK for any degree except a PhD will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months on the Graduate Visa once the changes come into effect.
PhD students will still be able to stay here for up to three years.
This update came after data showed that there were not enough people transitioning to graduate roles after finishing their degree.
Grounds for Refusal replaced
Part Suitability has replaced Grounds for Refusal so as to create a more universal ruleset for caseworkers to help them decide whether to accept or reject visa applications.
Previously, many routes into the UK had their own rulesets that would often contradict those outlined in Grounds for Refusal. This could sometimes result in confusion about what the rules actually are.
In the future, Part Suitability should make it easier for both caseworkers and applicants alike to know whether they meet the requirements for their visa.
High Potential Individual route expansion
Whilst the High Potential Individual Visa has quite a niche purpose and so is not one of the most popular visas, it is an important route; this is because it allows highly skilled people to work in the UK.
In the October 2025 Statement of Changes, the number of people who can apply for this visa was capped to 8,000 a year.
Additionally, the number of eligible institutions that can sponsor applicants has doubled.
The aim of this is to attract more highly skilled people to the UK.
Appendix Statelessness
Partners and children of a stateless person who is in the UK may apply for permission to stay here. This only applies if they were a family before the person became stateless.
For those who formed a family after the stateless person was granted permission to stay in the UK, and who are not themselves stateless, they can apply to stay in the UK under Appendix FM.
Palestine added to visa list
Earlier this year, the British Government formally recognised Palestine as a state. As a result of this, Palestinian nationals will now be able to travel to the UK by applying for visas.
Innovator Founder route
Another route that sees few applicants due to its purpose is the Innovator Founder Visa. However, it is important to the UK, as it exists to attract highly skilled people to work in the UK once they have completed their studies.
Now, it will be possible for students who transition to the Innovator Founder route to be able to open their own businesses in the UK.
Seasonal Worker route
Those on the Seasonal Worker route can no longer spend more than six months working in the UK in any 10-month period. It was previously a 12-month period.
Additionally, once a worker’s visa has expired, they will have to wait four months before they can apply for another Seasonal Worker Visa.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
Previously, a child’s permission to be in the UK could only be aligned with that of their parents.
Now, to help with safeguarding children on the scheme, their leave to remain can be aligned with whoever their legal guardian is, not just their parents. This is particularly important for children who are not with their parents.
Other minor changes
Just like with the other statements, there are minor updates that will not have affected many people, including fixes to the wording of rules.
For example, 27 prestigious prizes were added to the Global Talent route as a way to support an application for the visa.
Please click on the link at the start of this section if you would like to learn more about the minor updates.
December 2025 Statement of Changes
On 9 December 2025 came the seventh and final Statement of Changes of the year.
It focuses on issues that ultimately are unlikely to impact many people, but it is useful to see what the Government is doing regarding immigration policy.
Nauru visa requirement
Nauru was the final country to be removed from those on the ETA list, so nationals from there will now need a visa to visit the UK.
It is a small country on the other side of the world from the UK, so it is unlikely that many people will be coming to the UK from Nauru, but some may be affected by this change.
The Government chose to do this because of Nauru introducing a way for people to buy citizenship, which has raised concerns over the UK’s border security, as people who plan to act in bad faith could acquire Nauru citizenship.
Service Providers from Switzerland closure
From the end of 2025, the Service Providers from Switzerland route into the UK will be closed. This is a very specific route that is not well-known; it was originally part of Brexit transition agreements that allowed British and Swiss companies to continue providing services in each other’s countries.
The route is ending as it is seen as no longer needed, so both countries agreed to end it.
With it being not a well-known route and since it was a part of transition arrangements, it is unlikely that it was being used much anymore, so not many people are likely to be impacted by it ending.
EU Settlement Scheme curtailment rules
The rules for curtailment of pre-settled status, which essentially means what can result in your leave to remain being cut short, were updated to be in line with the new Part Suitability ruleset that replaced Grounds for Refusal in the previous Statement of Changes.
As a result, anyone with pre-settled status who helps someone enter the UK through fraudulent means, will have their visa curtailed.
EUSS Travel Permit expansion
All EUSS status holders can apply for an EUSS Travel Permit if they cannot update their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account with their new travel document, such as their passport.
There have been some issues with people trying to use their UKVI account to generate a sharecode, which is an important part of re-entering the UK if someone on the EUSS leaves for a bit. A travel permit will allow you to enter the UK if you have any difficulties.
Minor changes
All of the minor changes in the December 2025 Statement of Changes are simply amendments to the wordings of several areas of the immigration rules to make them clearer.
The wording modification that is the most important relates to the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children ruleset.
Wording for this route into the UK has been updated to clarify that it can only be applied for if the child has been rejected both refugee status and humanitarian protection, but for whom it is not possible to return to their home country.
Updates not in a Statement of Changes
Although most updates come in a Statement of Changes, there are some that were announced elsewhere.
Immigration Skills Charge
One of the biggest updates for employers to be aware of was the increase to the Immigration Skills Charge. It is being increased by 32%, so employers will have to pay more to be able to sponsor and hire workers from abroad.
Previously, small and charitable sponsors had to pay £364 for the first 12 months, whilst medium or large sponsors had to pay £1,000 for the first 12 months. Now, it has increased to £480 and £1,320 respectively.
This was announced in a press release that came out at the same time as the October 2025 Statement of Changes, which even mentions some of the updates in the statement.
Right to Work checks for the gig economy
In Spring, the Government announced in a press release that the need for right to work checks would expand to include jobs in the gig economy.
This means that companies who employ delivery drivers, beauty salon workers and other roles that have zero-hour contracts and are part of the gig economy, will need to check if their workers have the right to work in the UK.
Failure to do so can result in a range of punishments, including fines of up to £60,000, forced business closures, and even imprisonment.
The Government introduced broader right to work checks to try and crackdown on people working illegally in the UK and also to stop the exploitation of workers.
Major unimplemented announcements
Throughout the year, there were announcements of major updates to the immigration rules of which many have yet to be implemented, though some have been.
Immigration White Paper
The first major release was the Immigration White Paper in May, which we have mentioned a few times in this article. This outlined some drastic changes that would make the UK’s immigration system far stricter in an attempt to lower net migration into the UK.
Some things announced in the paper have been implemented, such as the removal of the Health and Care Worker route and the increase of the English language knowledge requirement from B1 to B2.
Immigration system overhaul
November brought our second and final major release with some even bigger and more impactful updates that will affect many people who wish to settle in the UK.
Currently, there are several ways to get settlement; the form of settlement you can apply for depends on what route you are on in the UK, as they have different requirements for how long you must have been resident in the UK for.
Under the proposals, the following would come into effect:
- Minimum number of years spent in the UK to qualifying for settlement doubled to 10 years for most visas (some have this already)
- Low-paid workers will need to have been in the UK for 15 years, like those on the old Health and Care Worker route
- People on benefits qualify after 20 years of residence
- Visa overstayers and illegal migrants only qualify after 30 years of residence
- High earners and entrepreneurs have a lower residence requirement of three years
- Doctors and nurses in the NHS must have been a resident for five years
These proposals will seemingly not apply to anyone who came to the UK before 2021.
However, there will be ways in which someone can have their residency requirement reduced, such as if they make high tax contributions or show proof of integration by volunteering and having high English proficiency.
Almost everyone who came to the UK on a visa after 2021 will be impacted by this, but the Government views it as necessary because in 2030, 1.6 million people will become eligible for settlement, which could potentially give the Home Office a massive workload to work through and cause delays in other areas.
If you would like more information about the immigration overhaul, please visit the webpage linked at the start of this subsection.
Looking to the coming year
In 2025, almost all of the updates announced and implemented by the Government have been attempts to lower net migration to the UK. As net migration from June 2024 to June 2025 lowered to 204,000 from 649,000 the year before, it seems they have so far been successful in their aims.
With there being so many Statements of Changes in 2025, as well as many proposals that have yet to be enforced, it is likely that 2026 will be another busy year with many more major announcements and updates that aim to make the immigration system stricter. As a result, it is likely that net migration will fall even lower.
As always, we will aim to keep you updated on any immigration rule announcements so that you can stay informed about what is happening and what might impact you.
How we can help you
Lately, the immigration rules have been subject to frequent changes, as we have outlined in our article. With so many updates, it can be difficult to keep track of what might affect you and impact your plans for coming to the UK.
Luckily, our team of immigration experts are here to help you with many aspects of the law, from visa applications, to Sponsor Licences, settlement, and even naturalisation as a British citizen.
There are several ways you can contact us, such as by phone, email, website chatbox, or by booking a free 10-minute assessment. These initial steps help us to understand your needs, see what we might be able to do for you, and allow you to decide if you would like to use our services.
After this initial assessment, you can book a longer, paid consultation in which you will receive legal advice during which we will plan your next steps. This consultation can either be with one of our immigration specialists, or our Principal Solicitor, Nathan Woodcock. They will provide you with their expertise, and do their utmost to make sure you get your desired outcome.
Get in touch with us today for our assistance with your immigration needs.
Still unsure about using our services? Then visit our testimonials and client success stories pages to see how we have helped people in the past.
