What’s changing: A new chapter in UK immigration

The UK government introduced one of the most significant sets of immigration reforms in decades — reshaping how people come to, stay in, and settle in the country.

Here are the headline changes:

• The route to permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain — ILR) is being extended for many migrants: instead of the usual five years, most migrants will now need around 10 years of continuous residence before qualifying.

  
  

• The visa system for skilled and care‑related jobs was tightened. The required skill level for new work visas (Skilled Worker visa and related routes) has been raised to “graduate-level” (RQF 6), meaning fewer lower-skilled roles now qualify.

  
  

• The separate route for care‑workers (Social Care Worker visa) has been closed for new applicants.

  
  

• From 8 January 2026, new applicants for Skilled Worker visas (as well as some other categories) will face higher English language requirements — moving from B1 to B2 level.

  
  

• The cost for employers sponsoring workers is increasing: the annual Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will rise by 32% from 16 December 2025.

  
  

Why the government says it's doing this

The reforms come in the context of a broader strategy by the government — laid out in the recent UK Immigration White Paper 2025 — aiming to shift the UK’s immigration model. The focus is increasingly on:

• Encouraging high‑skilled migrants who bring economic value.

  
  

• Reducing net migration overall, especially through lower-skilled migration routes.

  
  

• Ensuring migrants seeking settlement are more integrated and committed (through longer residence requirements, stricter language standards, etc.).

  
  

In short: the UK appears to be doubling down on a “skills-first, long-term‑commitment” approach to immigration.

What these changes mean — for migrants, employers, and the UK

For individuals

If you’re applying for a work visa or planning to settle long-term, the bar has been raised: higher qualification standards, stronger English skills, and a longer wait for settlement. For many, this could make the path to permanent residency significantly longer or uncertain.

For certain sectors (care, social work, lower‑skilled roles)

These changes hit hard. The closure of the Social Care Worker visa and the new skill‑threshold will likely make it much harder for employers to recruit from abroad for lower-skilled or care‑related positions — potentially intensifying workforce shortages in sectors that already struggle to attract domestic staff.

For employers & sponsors

Employers who sponsor international talent will pay more (due to the ISC rise), and face stricter rules and compliance. They need to ensure migrant workers meet the higher skill and language requirements — which may limit the pool of eligible candidates.

For the UK as a whole

On one hand, the reforms could steer immigration toward high-skilled migration, which may boost productivity and innovation. On the other hand, by restricting lower‑skilled migration and tightening settlement rules, the UK might face labour shortages in essential sectors (social care, hospitality, some service industries), and potentially impact social cohesion and integration.

What’s next to watch

• The full effect of the extended ILR timeline (10 years) — especially how it impacts migrants already residing under older rules.

• How employers adapt: whether more UK-based training/apprenticeships rise, or whether businesses struggle to fill roles formerly filled by migrant workers.

• The impact of stricter English requirements on migrants whose skills are technical but whose first language isn’t English.

• Policy developments from the White Paper’s “next phases” — especially further adjustments to high-skilled routes, settlement criteria, and application processes.

Final Thoughts

The 2025‑2026 immigration reforms mark a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach: away from broader access and faster settlement toward a stricter, skills‑oriented, long‑commitment model. While this may benefit the economy by attracting high‑skilled talent, it also carries real risks — particularly in sectors reliant on lower‑skilled or care work, or for migrants seeking stability and long-term residence.

For anyone interested in coming to or staying in the UK under current rules: it’s more important than ever to understand the new requirements — and to prepare accordingly.

We are able to assist in negotiating your way through the maze of proposed, contact us.