UK immigration rules May 2025 update

The UK government has released a new UK immigration rules May 2025 update white paper called “Restoring Control over the Immigration System.” The goal is to reduce immigration, make the system fairer and more effective, and ensure that only those who bring real value to the UK are allowed to come and stay.

Main Changes Announced

1. Focus on UK Workers First

• Employers will now be required to train UK workers instead of relying heavily on hiring people from abroad.

• A new Labour Market Evidence Group will be created to use reliable data to understand job shortages and how they should be filled.

2. Skilled Worker Visas – Stricter Rules

• Only graduate-level jobs (RQF Level 6 and above) will be allowed under the skilled worker route.

• Salary thresholds will go up to make sure only genuinely skilled people come.

• The Immigration Salary List, which allowed for lower salaries in shortage roles, will be abolished.

• Overseas hiring will only be allowed for true long-term shortages, and even then:
  • It must be time-limited.

  • There must be a clear workforce plan in place.

  • Employers must also invest in hiring from the UK.

3. Social Care Visas – Big Cut

• New overseas social care workers will no longer get visas.

• However, people already in the UK on social care visas can:
  • Extend their visas.

  • Switch to other in-country visa types.

• This transition will last until 2028, and may change later.

4. Student Visas – Tougher Rules

• Universities and colleges must meet stricter standards to sponsor international students.

• Sponsors who are not fully compliant may:
  • Be placed on improvement plans.

  • Be limited in how many international students they can take.

• The Graduate Visa will be shortened — international graduates can stay in the UK for only 18 months after finishing their studies.

5. Family and Private Life Visas

• The rules for staying in the UK based on family life will be made clearer and stricter.

• The government will reduce cases where people use Article 8 (right to family life) to avoid deportation, especially when deportation is in the public interest.

• Parliament will have a stronger say on who can remain in the UK.

6. Attracting the Best Talent

• The UK will welcome more highly skilled people, especially in science, research, and design.

• Improvements will be made to visas like:
  • Global Talent Visa

  • High Potential Individual Route

  • Innovator Founder Visa

• More places will be available for top research interns.

• These efforts will help strategic industries and economic growth.

7. Tackling Immigration Abuse

• Stricter rules for people who:
  • Claim asylum even though conditions in their home countries haven’t changed.

  • Claim asylum only after they arrive in the UK.

• Extra checks and rules will be used where there is a risk of abuse.

• Countries that don’t help return their citizens will face penalties or sanctions.

• Sponsors (employers or universities) could also face penalties if found abusing the system.

8. Deporting Foreign Criminals

• All foreign nationals who commit crimes, not just those sent to prison, will be considered for deportation.

• Deportation rules will be revised to include:
  • A wider range of offences.

  • A tougher stance on violence against women and girls.

9. English Language Rules

• More immigration routes will now require better English skills.

• This applies to both main applicants and their family members.

• The government may assess whether a person’s English improves over time.

10. Settlement and Citizenship – Harder to Get

• The minimum time required to get permanent residency (settlement) will increase from 5 to 10 years.

• A points-based system will also be introduced for both settlement and citizenship.
  • People will earn points based on their contributions to the UK.

  • More details will come by the end of 2025.

What Happens Next?

• These reforms will be rolled out during this Parliament (until the next election).

• Some changes will start in the coming weeks.

• Additional reforms to asylum and border security will be announced later this summer.

These new immigration rules are part of the government’s Plan for Change to fix the system, protect UK interests, and manage migration responsibly. For further information, visit Asif Consulting.