Changes 2

The 2025 immigration white paper: law, scheduled or proposed

A white paper measure is law only once a Statement of Changes puts it into the rules.

The white paper, Restoring control over the immigration system (CP 1326), was published by the Home Office on 12 May 2025. It is a policy document, not law.

In force: measures now in the rules

White paper measures now in force, with their dates and Statements
Measure in the rules	Status	From	Statement
New Skilled Worker jobs at RQF level 6 or above, with exceptions Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 6.1 as substituted by HC 997 (APP SW7) (gov.uk). The passage relied on If your occupation code is listed as a ‘higher skilled’ job, you can apply for this visa.	In force	22 July 2025	HC 997
General salary threshold of £41,700 a year Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.4 option A, as amended by HC 997 (gov.uk). The passage relied on You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.	In force	22 July 2025	HC 997
New-entrant floor of £33,400 a year Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.4 option E, as amended by HC 997 (gov.uk). The passage relied on You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies:	In force	22 July 2025	HC 997
English at B2 for the Skilled Worker, HPI and Scale-up routes Authority Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). The passage relied on 5.22 The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).	In force	8 January 2026	HC 1333
High Potential Individual cap of 8,000 applications a year Authority Appendix High Potential Individual, HPI 1.6A, as amended by HC 1333 (gov.uk). The passage relied on HPI 1.6A The number of applications (for both entry clearance and permission to stay) must not have exceeded 8,000, the annual total allocation of places for the route (where the annual period begins on 1 November and ends on 31 October of each year).	In force	4 November 2025	HC 1333

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The new skill level applies to applications using a certificate of sponsorship issued from 22 July 2025. Applications using an earlier certificate are decided under the rules in force before that date.

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The white paper’s English commitment covered Skilled Workers and other workers where a language requirement already applied. HC 1333 raised the level for three routes: Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up.

254. We will increase language requirements for Skilled Workers and workers where a language requirement already applies from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels, in accordance with the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Scheduled: in the rules, not yet applying

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The Graduate visa lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026. Applications from 1 January 2027 get 18 months, and doctoral graduates keep 3 years. HC 1333 made this rule.

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Skilled Worker settlement applications made from 26 March 2027 need English at B2 in speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies. HC 1691 made this rule, for the routes it lists, not every route.

The arched timber and glass roof of the Portcullis House courtyard, with trees beneath it — Plate 4. The courtyard of Portcullis House in Westminster, where Members of Parliament have their offices. Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted (greyscale, cropped).

Proposed, not law

White paper measures not made law, as of the check date
Measure	Status	Statement
A longer standard qualifying period for settlement Authority Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). The passage relied on 264. This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.	Proposed	None
Doubling the number of HPI qualifying institutions Authority Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). The passage relied on we will explore a targeted and capped expansion of the HPI route, looking to double the number of qualifying institutions, whilst maintaining the focus of the route on individuals that will have the most benefit to the UK workforce and ensuring that any necessary safeguards are in place	Described in the explanatory memorandum to HC 1333; not dated here Authority Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). The passage relied on 5.24 Expansion of the High Potential Individual route, doubling the list of eligible institutions (subject to any exclusions the Secretary of State considers appropriate).	HC 1333
A levy on higher education income from international students Authority Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). The passage relied on The Government will explore introducing a levy on higher education provider income from international students, to be reinvested into the higher education and skills system.	Proposed: to be explored	None

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The earned settlement consultation proposes that routes such as Skilled Worker, which lead to settlement after 5 years today, would default to 10 years, with earned reductions for contribution or integration. It is a proposal: see earned settlement.

264. This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (CP 1326, Home Office, 12 May 2025) (gov.uk). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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On HPI, the white paper said the government would explore doubling the qualifying institutions. Only the yearly cap is dated here; the university lists are published outside the rules, in the HPI list finder.

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Every change on this page also has its entry in the Ledger of changes, and each Statement is summarised on the Statements of Changes page.

History

8 October 2026. Entry updated.
7 October 2026. Entry first published.

Common questions

When does the 18 months Graduate visa start?

For applications made from 1 January 2027. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 get 2 years. HC 1333 put the change into the rules.

Is the 10-year settlement route law?

No. The white paper said the qualifying period for settlement would rise, and the earned settlement consultation proposes it. Skilled Workers may still be able to apply to settle after 5 years under the rules in force.

What did the white paper change for Skilled Worker salaries?

It said salary thresholds would rise. HC 997 set the general threshold at £41,700 a year, for certificates of sponsorship issued from 22 July 2025.

Sources

Government: Publications (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
Restoring control over the immigration system Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5581-1, E03311006, CP 1326
From: Home Office Published: 12 May 2025
Government: Publications (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
Therefore, we will lift the level for skilled workers back to RQF 6 and above. Salary thresholds will rise.
254. We will increase language requirements for Skilled Workers and workers where a language requirement already applies from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels, in accordance with the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR).
we will explore a targeted and capped expansion of the HPI route, looking to double the number of qualifying institutions, whilst maintaining the focus of the route on individuals that will have the most benefit to the UK workforce and ensuring that any necessary safeguards are in place
Therefore, we will reduce the ability for Graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months.
257. We will increase our existing requirements for settlement across the majority of immigration routes from B1 to B2 (Independent User).
264. This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.
The Government will explore introducing a levy on higher education provider income from international students, to be reinvested into the higher education and skills system.
Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
All other changes in this Statement shall take effect on 22 July 2025. In relation to those changes, (i) if an application has been made using a certificate of sponsorship issued by a sponsor to an applicant before 22 July 2025; or (ii) if an application which does not require a certificate of sponsorship has been made before 22 July 2025; such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 21 July 2025.
APP SW2. In row A of the table following SW 4.4, for “£38,700”, substitute “£41,700”.
APP SW4. In rows C, D and E of the table following SW 4.4, for each instance of “£30,960”, substitute “£33,400”.
Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
5.22 The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).
5.24 Expansion of the High Potential Individual route, doubling the list of eligible institutions (subject to any exclusions the Secretary of State considers appropriate).
5.26 The change to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
There will also be a cap placed on the route of 8,000 applications per year.
Statement of Changes HC 1691: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
5.62 These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027.
Earned settlement: statement and consultation (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
This means, however, that with the exception of the above categories, those routes (for example, the Skilled Worker route) that currently lead to settlement after 5 years continuous stay will cease to do so and will default to a qualifying period of 10 years, except where an earned reduction on the basis of contribution or integration applies.
Skilled Worker visa: Your job (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
If your occupation code is listed as a ‘higher skilled’ job, you can apply for this visa.
Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies:
Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Occupations (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, and are eligible for the Skilled Worker route.
Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Immigration Rules: Appendix High Potential Individual (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
HPI 1.6A The number of applications (for both entry clearance and permission to stay) must not have exceeded 8,000, the annual total allocation of places for the route (where the annual period begins on 1 November and ends on 31 October of each year).
Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027.
Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
SW 22A.1. Where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B2.
Skilled Worker visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked 7 October 2026.
The passage relied on
After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’).

How each figure is checked: Sources and method.

This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).