UK Government Issues Immigration White Paper

The UK government released a new immigration White Paper announcement on May 12, 2025. The White Paper sets forth several significant changes to the UK immigration system. At the time of this reporting, there are a number of policies for which the implementation and final details are to be determined or yet to be announced.

Key Changes

Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa category include:

• Increase in skill level of roles to RQF level 6: Currently under Skilled Worker it is possible to sponsor Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 (roughly A level standard) roles and above. The White Paper changes mean the skill level will increase to RQF level 6 (roughly degree level). The RQF levels do not mean applicants must have a degree (or an A level) to be sponsored – it only reflects the skill level of the role.
  • Under the old pre-Brexit Tier 2 system it was only possible to sponsor RQF level 6 roles and so the White Paper reflects a return to that same required skill level. For most sponsors their roles will be at RQF level 6 and so they should be able to proceed as normal. In Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, scroll across to the far right; if it says “Yes” the role is at RQF level 6.
  • The Senior or Specialist Worker category (previously known as the ICT category) should be unaffected as it is already the case that only roles at level 6 or above can be sponsored.
• Lower (RQF level 3 – 5) skilled roles must be on a new Temporary Shortage List. From the limited information provided at this point, we understand that:
  • Long term shortages – for roles which are at RQF level 3-5, employers will still be able to sponsor roles on the new Temporary Shortage List for which a long term shortage has been identified. The current Immigration Salary List (previously the shortage occupation list) will be abolished. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will advise on the sectors and jobs which will be added to the list – aligned with industrial strategy and delivering critical infrastructure. The White Paper acknowledges the Temporary Shortage List “will take time to establish” and until it is finalised the list will “contain occupations that the MAC has recently considered to be in shortage, or which are crucial to the delivery of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.” Presumably this may mean that roles on the current Immigration Salary List will likely be on the initial Temporary Shortage List.
  • Workforce strategy – to sponsor roles on the Temporary Shortage List, sponsors will need to comply with a new sector-specific workforce strategy. The workforce strategy will center on sponsors needing to utilize the domestic/resident UK workforce before being able to recruit overseas labor. A new Labour Market Evidence group will advise the government. The White Paper does not include much detail on what this will involve for sponsors and says the MAC will advise the government on the requirements.​
  • Time limited – the White Paper says visas granted under the Temporary Shortage List would be time limited. Details are not given.
  • Quota/cap – there is a suggestion that Temporary Shortage List visas will be subject to a quota/cap.
  • Dependants – there is a suggestion that Temporary Shortage List visas will “include new restrictions on bringing dependants.”
  • Could eventually apply to RQF level 6+ roles – over time it will be considered whether sponsorship of RQF level 6+ roles will also need employers to have a workforce strategy.
• Salary thresholds will increase: The White Paper says salary thresholds will rise but does not give any details.
• Increase in the Immigration Skills Charge: The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is paid by sponsors for Skilled Worker and Senior/Specialist Worker (ICT) applications. The ISC was introduced in 2017 and for the first time will rise by 32% in line with inflation. This means for sponsors who are not a small company or charity the fee per year of the visa will increase from £1,000 to £1,320.
• English language test level to increase: Skilled Worker has always had an English language requirement. As is currently the case they will also be able to take an English test to prove their English language ability. The current required B1 level (in reading, writing, listening and speaking) will be increased to level B2.
  • Dependants – for the first time adult dependent family members will be required to satisfy the English language requirement when applying as dependants of a Skilled Worker (and other work visa holders).
• Length of time to qualify for indefinite leave to remain and “earned settlement”: The White Paper says the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain will increase from 5 to 10 years. This is for most work and other visa categories, not just Skilled Worker. Presumably the change would only apply to new applicants after the rule change comes into force.
  • Shorter qualifying periods – the White Paper also says it will be possible to apply after a shorter period where “points-based contributions to the UK economy and society” criteria are met. It could still therefore be possible for a Skilled Worker and those in other routes to apply based on a 5-year period (or a different period from 5-10 years). The government will consult on these changes and so more details will be released in due course. Current applicants need to take a Life in the UK test and this will be subject to a “refresh.”
• ‘Earned citizenship’: Under the current rules, most people need to hold indefinite leave to remain for 12 months before they can apply to naturalize as a British citizen. Again, the government will consult on the concept of “earned citizenship” and that some people may be able to apply sooner based on their contribution to the economy and society.
• Care sector roles to close to new applicants: Care sectors sponsors should note that social care visas will close to new applications from outside the UK. For a transition period until 2028, the Home Office will permit visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the UK with working rights, but this will be kept under review.
• Reforms to reduce migrant exploitation: The White Paper includes that the Home Office will “explore introducing further reforms to our sponsorship system, putting more responsibility and accountability on effective and responsible sponsors. This will include exploring making it easier for workers to move between licensed sponsors for the duration of their visa, giving them more control over who they work for and reducing the risk of exploitation.”

The proposed changes to Family Visas include:

• New overarching family policy: Before the end of the year, details will be released on a new family policy which will apply to family members of people who are British, settled (with indefinite leave to remain) and on work visas. These requirements are not new but are likely to be tightened/expanded.
• Path to settlement and citizenship: The increase in the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from 5 to 10 years will apply to some family visas, as will the principles of ‘Earned’ settlement and British citizenship as set out above for Skilled Workers. However, family members of British citizens (and those with indefinite leave to remain) will still have a 5-year path to indefinite leave to remain.

Oher Proposed Changes include:

• Graduate route: Overseas students who complete a degree in the UK can apply to the Graduate route for a 2-year visa (or 3 years if they complete a PhD). The White Paper says Graduate visas will only be issued for 18 months (it is unclear whether that will also apply to those completing a PhD).
• Global Talent: Global Talent visas are open to those who can obtain endorsement for their exceptional talent or exceptional promise. The White Paper proposes making it “simpler and easier for top scientific and design talent to use our Global Talent visa.”
• High Potential Individual: This route is for those who have graduated in the last 5 years from a top 50 global university. The White Paper says they are looking to double the number of qualifying universities.
• Research interns: “increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talent.”
• Innovator Founder: This infrequently used category for those starting an innovative business will be reviewed.
• UK Expansion Worker: An overseas business seeking to expand into the UK can currently only sponsor 5 employees of the overseas business to work in the UK. The White Paper suggests this number should double.
• eVisas and the digital immigration system: The full transition to eVisas (digital immigration status) will continue and the need for some visa applicants to attend a visa application centre appointment a second time to collect their passport will end for those applying for skilled work (and study) visas “later in the summer”.
• Facial recognition: later in 2025 the government “will be piloting new intelligent technologies that facilitate contactless travel through eGates, removing the need for passengers to present their passport, utilising Facial Comparison technology.”
• New ‘digital service’: “To determine whether an individual has complied with the terms of their visa and is inside or outside the UK at any given time.”
• Prevention of illegal working: The White Paper confirms that it will press ahead with changes to the prevention of illegal working rules.

Erickson Insights & Analysis

The White Paper sets out the UK government’s future policy intentions; it does not change current immigration laws.  As a proposal for future policy direction, the White Paper does not indicate when any changes will come into effect, though the expectation is that the implementation will be gradual. As it relates to sponsoring and employing people from outside the UK, while the proposed changes will add new restrictions, it does not apply to existing Skilled Worker visa holders. Finally, the changes proposed in the White Paper have no bearing on applications submitted before a/any rules change. Applicants with visa applications in process may want to accelerate their submission.