8 new rules that will make studying, working and living in the UK tougher for immigrants

The UK government released a policy document on May 12, 2025, titled ‘Restoring control over the immigration system,’ proposing measures to curb immigration. Once implemented, the new UK immigration rules will make it harder for the immigrant population to move to and settle in the UK.

Net migration hit a record high of +906,000 in June 2023 and quadrupled from its level of 224,000 in June 2019. In the latest data, for the year ending June 2024, net migration was +728,000.

Here are eight big proposals by the UK government to bring down the net migration rate:

Skilled Worker Visa List of Jobs

It is proposed to shorten the list of jobs employers can sponsor a worker from overseas for a Skilled Worker visa. The big change proposed in the Skilled Worker Visa is that the jobs assessed as being medium-skilled – RQF level 3 – cannot be filled from overseas unless the Migration Advisory Committee recommends an exemption and the industry is demonstrating efforts to recruit domestically.

Ending social care workers

International recruitment for care workers will end under the plans announced. The existing exemption for social care workers will end, and UK employers will no longer be allowed to recruit them from abroad.

Levy on Universities

The cost of studying may go up due to this proposal, which introduces a levy on university income from international students, with proceeds to be reinvested in the domestic education and skills system. The levy is expected to be passed on to foreign students, making the cost of studying in the UK costlier than before.

Already, the maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year was increased by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535.

Student visas Sponsorship

It has been proposed to make it harder for universities to keep their license to sponsor student visas by introducing tougher compliance rules.

Graduate Visa

A Graduate visa permits foreign students to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing a course in the UK. They have to be in the UK when they apply. A Graduate visa cannot be extended; however, one may switch to a different visa, for example, a Skilled Worker visa.

The new rules propose to reduce the standard length of the Graduate visa, for international students to stay on and work in the UK, from two years to 18 months.

Stricter English language rules

The UK is actively encouraging individuals to enhance their English language skills over time as they continue their residence in the country. The UK is introducing stricter English language requirements for international students and workers entering the country for study, work, and settlement.

The UK government is increasing the language requirements for Skilled Workers and those with existing language requirements from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels. The UK is set to introduce a new English language requirement for adult dependants of workers and students at level A1 (Basic User) to align with spousal and partner routes.

Qualifying Period for Permanent Residence

It is proposed to increase the standard qualifying period for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria yet to be decided.

Talent Visa

The new rules propose to make it easier for people to come to the UK on certain visas aimed at highly skilled migrants, such as the Global Talent and High Potential routes. This is the only measure of the eight designed to increase immigration.