Immigration White Paper published

The Government’s Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper was published on 12 May 2025, building on its manifesto to commit to reduce net immigration and prioritising higher-skilled workers.

Below is a summary of the main proposals likely to impact businesses and their employees:

1. Higher skills thresholds - lifting the level for Skilled Workers back to RQF 6 (graduate level). This will have an impact on recruitment as the number of roles eligible for sponsorship may be reduced by around 180, subject to the Temporary Shortage list (see below).
2. Higher salary thresholds – we saw substantial increases in the salary thresholds in April 2024. The Government intends to increase these further.
3. Higher Immigration Skills Charge – an increase of 32% to incentivise sponsor employers to invest in the domestic workforce.
4. Increase English language requirements - elevating English language requirements for Skilled Workers from level B1 to level B2.
5. English language requirements for dependants - adult dependants of Skilled Workers will need to meet the English language requirements at level A1 (speaking and listening) and show improvement at the extension stage (to level A2).
6. End social care recruitment from overseas – but with visa extensions and in-country switching to be permitted until 2028.
7. New Temporary Shortage List – abolition of the current Immigration Salary List (ISL) and introduction of a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for occupations below RQF 6 to be included for sponsorship only on evidence of shortages and with employer commitments to invest in the domestic workforce. These shortage roles may have restrictions on sponsored employees being accompanied by dependants.
8. Workforce strategy – sponsor employers in sectors where there have been long term shortages will need a workforce strategy in place to evidence their commitment to invest in the domestic workforce, to be able to sponsor migrant workers.
9. Refugee employment – allow a limited pool of UNHCR recognised refugees and displaced people to apply from outside the UK for employment in highly skilled roles under skilled worker visa routes.
10. Highly skilled migrants - make it easier for people to come to the UK on certain visas aimed at highly skilled migrants, such as the Global Talent and High Potential Individual (HPI) routes. 
11. Graduate visas – reduce the duration of the post-study Graduate visa from 2 years to 18 months.
12. Doubling the qualifying period to settlement – increase the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from 5 years to 10 years, with some people to qualify sooner based on criteria yet to be decided. The Government has not yet confirmed whether this change will apply to those already in the UK and on a route to settlement (but has made clear those on family/spousal visas will continue to qualify after 5 years).

The Government is also exploring further reforms to the sponsorship system to target exploitive sponsor employers and to make it easier for sponsored workers to switch employers in cases of abuse. Stronger financial penalties and sanctions for non-compliance are proposed.

White Papers serve as the primary point in the legislative process, identifying policy proposals subject to the legislative process or updates to the Immigration Rules. The Government will now embark on a process of engagement and consultation. The timing of implementation is yet to be confirmed; some changes may be made in a matter of weeks, others may be introduced over the course of this parliament (by 2028).

If you have any questions on the proposals, please contact Patricia Marleau.

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