UK Immigration Rule Changes – October Update
Further to the previously published Immigration White Paper, the Government have announced further changes to the UK immigration rules that will come into effect from various dates.
The previously published Immigration White Paper outlined various suggested policies aimed at reducing migration to the UK. The first of the new UK immigration rules were introduced from 22 July 2025. Further changes were announced on 14 October 2025 and are expected to come into effect on various dates.
A full statement of changes to the UK immigration rules can be found here:
A summary of the primary confirmed changes that are of particular interest are as follow:
Graduate Visa – Reduction to Visa Grant Period
The Graduate Visa replaced the previous Post-Study Work Visa and allows Student Visa holders that graduate in the UK to live and work in the UK. A Graduate Visa holder is permitted to switch into the Skilled Worker Visa category.
The Graduate Visa does not count toward the five-year residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) but can count toward the ten-year residency period for a Long Residence application for ILR.
The Graduate Visa is currently granted for a period of two years. From 01 January 2027 the Graduate Visa will be granted for eighteen months instead of the current two-year period for non-PhD graduates. Students who obtain a PhD will still be granted three years.
This change will only apply to those who apply for a Graduate Visa on or after 01 January 2027. Until this time applicants will still be granted a two-year visa.
Work Visas – Required English Language Level Increased
Lead applicants (not dependants) in the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-Up visa categories are currently required to demonstrate English language ability to Level B1. This is being increased to Level B2 for applications submitted on or after 08 January 2026.
High Potential Individual Visa Expanded
The High Potential Individual Visa allows graduates from certain Universities to come to the UK with the right to work.
The number of recognised universities is being doubled and an annual cap of 8,000 visas will apply.
It is perhaps worth noting that the number of people currently coming to the UK under the HPI route is around 2,000 per year. This is expected to double (presumably based on having doubled the number of recognised universities), but this would still be well within the 8,000 annual cap.
This change will come into effect from 04 November 2025.
Global Talent Route Updates
Some minor changes will include an expansion of the list of eligible prizes and some further changes to allow architects to provide evidence of their achievements as a named member of a group in addition to their individual achievements.
Increase to the Immigration Skills Charge
Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Immigration Skills Charge (paid by the employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a Skilled Worker) is to be increased by 32% from 16 December 2025. This would increase the cost of assigning a CoS for a ‘large’ Company from £3,000 for a three-year visa to £3,960.