UK Immigration Policy Shift: What's Happened — and What's Coming Next

A Huge Shift

On 1 July 2025, the UK government published a new set of Immigration Rules (HC 997) drawn from a broader reform outlined in the March 2025 Immigration White Paper titled "Restoring Control over the Immigration System."

After Brexit, the UK opened several immigration routes to quickly fill especially low-level skills shortages in healthcare, care work, and education. but the government now believes those shortages have largely been addressed.

What you’re seeing in recent immigration updates is a strategic shift:

From: Attracting large numbers of workers to fill labour gaps


To: Reducing numbers, raising entry standards, and slowing settlement.



Main Changes in Simple Terms

1. Skilled Worker Visa – No more available for low-skill levels

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa (or extend it), your job now needs to be more skilled than before.

Before

Now

You could apply for jobs like:

  • Care workers

  • Teaching assistants

  • Some admin or support roles

    As long as they were classed as RQF Level 3 (A-level standard)

Example:
Before: A care home assistant could be sponsored.

Only jobs at RQF Level 6 or higher (i.e., graduate-level jobs) will be eligible.

Care/Support worker, etc, are under the ROF Level 3

You’d need a more professional role like registered nurse, teacher, engineer, IT analyst, etc.

2. Minimum Salary Has Increased

Each eligible job has a minimum salary you must earn to qualify. These thresholds are going up to match wage levels in the UK.

There’s no exception or grace period. If you apply after 22 July 2025, you must meet the new salary level.

Example: If your job's salary requirement was £30,000 and it’s now £40,000, your sponsor must pay the new amount, or your visa will be refused.

3. The Job Lists Are Changing

Before

Now

There was one list (the Immigration Salary List) with roles in shortage that could qualify even with lower salaries or skills.

If you job is on the Shortage Occupation List, you are able to get sponsorship.

The government is replacing it with a Shortage List, which:

  • Only includes certain jobs

  • Has expiration dates (end of 2026 for most; 2028 for care jobs)

  • Will be regularly reviewed and updated

If your job is not on the new list, or it's removed, you won’t be eligible for sponsorship.

4. Care Worker Route is Closing (for new overseas applicants)

From 22 July 2025, care workers and senior care workers (codes 6135 and 6136) can no longer apply from outside the UK.

  • If you’re already in the UK, you can switch to a care job until July 2028, but only if:


    1. You’ve worked with the same employer for at least 3

    months, and

    2. You are already on a legal visa that allows

    switching (e.g., student, graduate)

  • If you are already on the Skilled Worker route and in the UK before the July 2028, you can:

1. Extend their visa

2. Change jobs (within same skill level)

3. Apply for settlement later on

5. Fewer Family Members Can Join You

If you’re in a job below RQF Level 6 (e.g. Health and Social Care), you can no longer bring dependents (your spouse or children), unless:

  • You’re already in the UK before the new rules start

  • Your children were born in the UK

  • You have sole parental responsibility

 

Long-Term Outlook (Settlement/ILR)

If you're already in the Skilled Worker route, these changes won’t stop you from applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — as long as:

  • You remain legally employed

  • You meet salary and continuous residence requirements

If you're just arriving now, you’ll have fewer options unless you’re in a highly skilled or shortage role.

What to Expect in the Future

In the months and years to come, the UK Government will continue to implement changes both from the White Paper and others. Here are some likely things to expect:

Likely Future Policy

Why It’s Important

10-Year Settlement Requirement

Settling in the UK will take longer (currently 5 years for many routes). Will discourage long-term migration.

6% Higher Education Levy on International Students

Would increase tuition costs. Could reduce student demand, especially from price-sensitive regions.

Stricter English for Spouses & Partners

A1 standard now in place — expected to rise to B1 or higher by 2026–27.

More Sponsor De-registrations (Universities & Employers)

If sponsors fail to meet rules, they’ll lose licence. This could block more routes.

Greater Focus on High Earners and ‘Global Talent’

Expansion of Global Talent and High Potential routes is being considered — but numbers expected to stay small.

CONCLUSION

The UK government’s post-Brexit immigration strategy has now ended decisively.

The Skilled Worker, Health & Care, and Graduate routes served as short-term pipelines to meet urgent workforce needs.

Now, we are witnessing the systematic closure of these same routes. This marks a new phase where the government is:

  • Reducing inflows by ~100,000 annually

  • Hardening integration barriers (e.g., English, dependants)

  • Focusing on fewer, high-value migrants (Global Talent, etc.)

  • Transitioning to a longer path to settlement


Prepare yourself for the storms ahead but keep believing for better days ahead - God no go shame us.

With love,


Gaius Amonye

Founder, StandTall Community

Researcher | Financial Educator | Advocate for Black Wealth

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(TRAC Made Simple: Free Visual NHS Job Application Guide)

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