Further changes to the UK immigration system were announced on October 14, 2025. These reforms were outlined in the Immigration White Paper earlier this year and aim to reduce net migration, boost productivity, and strengthen the UK economy by attracting highly skilled people, including researchers, designers, and creatives working in film and television. Further changes to high-skilled routes, including to the Global Talent route, will be made next year.
Overview of the main changes.
High Potential Individual (HPI) visa expansion
From 4 November 2025 the number of eligible universities is being expanded to include international institutions ranked in the top 100, but it is capped at 8,000 applications per year. This is part of the government’s plan to promote access to targeted visa routes for the brightest and best international talent.
Global Talent visa enhancements
From November 11, 2025, the UK is expanding the prestigious prizes list and evidential requirements for architects.
Student transition to Innovator Founder visa
From November 25, 2025, Student visa holders who have completed their course can establish their business while transitioning to the Innovator Founder visa route.
Graduate visa reform
For applications made from January 1, 2027, most graduate visas will be granted for 18 months (instead of two years), with PhD graduates remaining at three years’ validity.
English language requirements
From January 8, 2026, the English language requirement for Skilled Worker, HPI, and Scale Up visas is raised from level B1 to level B2. Extensions for people already on these routes, where only B1 English was required, will continue to require B1 only.
Suitability requirements for family and private life visas.
From November 11, 2025, higher standards of good character requirements will apply.
Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana.
From October 14, 2025, at 3:00 PM, nationals of Botswana are required to apply for a visit visa before traveling to the UK. Nationals of Botswana are no longer eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK.
Recognition of Palestine and update to the visa national list.
From November 11, 2025, Palestine will be added to the visa national list, meaning Palestinian nationals must apply for a visa before traveling to the UK.
German school group travel.
From November 11, 2025, German students under the age of 19 can come to the UK without a visa or ETA when traveling as part of a school party of five or more. The group must be enrolled at a German school that is verified by the competent German authority. In addition, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals aged 19 and under who are studying at school will be allowed to travel on a national ID card rather than a passport.
Child student visa safeguarding update.
A couple of updates in Appendix Child Student around safeguarding:
- A ‘nominated guardian’ is clarified as less than 28 continuous days and includes term‑time; and
- A definition of ‘guardianship organisation’ is added (criminal‑conviction co‑resident test confined to adults, boarding categories amalgamated with clarified living arrangements and added process where guardian details are pending).
Immigration Skills Charge increase.
While a date has not yet been confirmed, a 32 percent increase is expected in December 2025. The current Immigration Skills Charge levy for large sponsors is currently £1,000 per year (for sponsored work visa routes). This is set to increase to £1,320 per year. For small sponsors, this levy is increasing from £364 to £480 per year.
This increase will impact most employers and sponsored work visa applications. However, here is a reminder on when employers are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge:
- If sponsoring someone for a visa from outside the UK to work in the UK for less than 6 months
- If sponsoring someone to switch from a Student visa route
- If sponsoring certain occupations (e.g. scientists and researchers)
- If sponsoring someone under the Global Business Mobility Senior or Specialist Worker route for less than three years, and they are a national of an EU country (or normally work in the EU for your EU business but are being temporarily transferred to work in the UK)
Further updates include the earned settlement and citizenship consultation and the launch of a six-week public consultation on extending right to work checks to cover a wider range of working arrangements (expected later in 2025). In addition, the next phase of eVisa transitioning is underway, covering most non-work / study visa routes and dependants.
The UK government press release is available here.
Reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.]
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
