On October 14, 2025, the Home Office published a 111-page statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC1333). An explanatory memorandum accompanied the statement of changes, as well as a written statement to the House of Commons and a press release.
Most, although not all, of the changes had been previously proposed in the government’s May 2025 immigration white paper. The principal changes are as follows:
- Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana, effective October 14, 2025 at 15:00 BST. Nationals of Botswana will also be required to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they intend to transit via the UK having booked travel to another country. Linked to this, Botswana will be removed from the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). There will be a six-week, visa-free transition period for those who already hold an ETA and have a confirmed booking to the UK obtained on or before 15:00 BST, October 14, 2025, where arrival in the UK is no later than 15:00 GMT, November 25, 2025.
- Following the UK’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine, the government is introducing a visit visa requirement on nationals of Palestine, who will also continue to require a direct airside transit visa (DATV) when conducting airside transit travel.
- German school groups travel: People aged 19 years and under studying at a German school or educational institution can now come to the UK without an advance permission (an ETA or visa) when they are travelling as part of a school party of five or more. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals aged 19 and under who are studying at the school can now travel on a national identity card rather than passport. This change mirrors the similar arrangement the UK already has with France and was agreed in the context of the UK-Germany Treaty.
- Effective January 8, 2026, the English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes will be increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)). The new requirements will apply to those seeking an initial grant of leave in a relevant route following the implementation of these provisions. Those who have already obtained a permission where they were required to show a B1 level, will continue to be subject to a B1 level requirement where they are seeking an extension on the same route.
- Effective November 4, 2025, the High Potential Individual route is being expanded, doubling the list of eligible institutions (subject to any exclusions the Secretary of State considers appropriate). This may be, for example, where inclusion of an institution would undermine UK national security or foreign policy. There will also be a cap placed on the route of 8000 applications per year.
- The duration of stay under the Graduate route is being reduced from two years to 18 months for most applicants, as announced in the white paper. The change will apply to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
- Effective November 25, 2025, student visa holders who have completed their course will be able to switch to the Innovator Founder route, replacing a similar provision that previously applied to those switching into the Start-up route, which is now closed to new applications.
- Changes are being made to the rules concerning the number of months a seasonal worker must be outside the UK before being permitted to apply for a new seasonal work visa. These changes will permit seasonal workers to spend no more than six months working in the UK during any rolling 10-month period, rather than any rolling 12-month period under the previous rules.
- Changes have been made to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme to ensure children can be granted permission in line with their legal guardian, rather than with the parent whose UPE permission expires last. The adult (parent or legal guardian) must be in the UK for a child’s permission to be aligned.
- Enhancements have been made to the Global Talent route, including an expanded list of prestigious prizes and changes to expand some of the evidential requirements of achievement and contribution for architects.
Unless otherwise stated above, all changes will come into effect on November 11, 2025.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.