UK government released its long-awaited immigration white paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System” on 12 May 2025. This white paper outlines sweeping reforms to reduce net migration and recalibrate UK’s approach to international students and skilled workers.
As a credible education consultancy guiding thousands of international students each year, JnS Education breaks down these major immigration changes to help you stay informed and make confident decisions about your future in UK.
Graduate Route to Be Reduced to 18 Months
Shortened Post-Study Work Period for Master’s and Bachelor’s Graduates
The Graduate Route, which currently allows international students to stay in UK for 2 years after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, will be shortened to 18 months under the new proposals.
- PhD graduates will continue to benefit from a 3-year post-study work visa.
- The change is aimed at curbing low-skilled migration while maintaining UK’s competitive edge for high-skilled education pathways.
Tighter Compliance for Student Sponsorship
Enhanced Sponsorship Requirements for Institutions
The government will strengthen the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) for universities and colleges sponsoring international students. Under the updated system:
- Institutions must achieve 95% course enrolment and 90% course completion rates.
- A Red-Amber-Green (RAG) rating system will be introduced to monitor compliance.
Poorly performing institutions may lose their sponsorship licenses.
These measures aim to eliminate abuse of the student visa route and ensure only credible institutions recruit international students.
Agent Quality Framework to Become Mandatory
Regulation of Education Agents by UK Higher Education Providers
All UK institutions using education agents must now comply with the Agent Quality Framework (AQF). This framework will:
- Monitor agent behavior.
- Enforce ethical student recruitment practices.
- Introduce sanctions for agents involved in misconduct or fraudulent applications.
The goal is to improve transparency and maintain UK’s reputation for quality education.
Proposal to Introduce an International Student Levy
Reinvestment into UK Education and Skills Training
UK government is considering a levy on higher education providers based on their income from international students. This funding would be:
- Reinvested in UK’s further education, apprenticeships, and skills training.
- Aimed at ensuring that international education contributes to public benefit beyond university campuses.
New English Language Proficiency Standards
Minimum English Language Levels for Entry, Extensions, and Settlement
The white paper proposes a new tiered approach to English language proficiency:
- Dependants (spouses/partners) must meet A1 level on entry, A2 on extension, and B2 for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- Skilled Workers will be required to demonstrate B2 level English (previously B1).
This measure aims to improve integration and reduce reliance on interpretation services in the public sector.
Extension of Indefinite Leave to Remain Qualification Period
Settlement Eligibility to Increase from 5 to 10 Years
The qualifying residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will increase:
- From 5 years to 10 years for most migrants, including skilled workers and their dependants.
- Certain exceptions will apply, including individuals making significant contributions to UK.
This aligns with the government’s focus on long-term integration over short-term migration.
Skilled Worker Route Changes
Higher Salary and Skill Thresholds for Skilled Visas
The Skilled Worker visa route will see further tightening:
- The minimum skill level required for a sponsored role will be raised to RQF Level 6 (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree level).
- Salary thresholds will rise to reflect this higher skills threshold. It’s important to note that the general salary threshold for many skilled worker roles was already increased to £38,700 in April 2024. This White Paper confirms a continued upward trajectory for salary requirements in line with the RQF 6 skill level, rather than newly introducing the £38,700 figure. Specific new general salary levels linked to this RQF 6 change are expected in further updates to the Immigration Rules.
These reforms are intended to ensure that the route prioritises genuinely high-skilled migrants and encourages employers to invest in the domestic workforce.
Key Takeaways What This Means for International Students
UK’s 2025 immigration overhaul marks a decisive shift toward reducing overall migration and increasing scrutiny over student and worker routes. For international students, the change means reduced post-study work options, stricter visa compliance from universities, and evolving requirements for settlement and dependents.
For prospective and current international students, these changes will mean:
- A shorter post-study work period via the Graduate Route.
- Stricter compliance expectations for sponsoring universities and colleges.
- Evolving requirements for dependants and for those seeking long-term settlement in UK.
JnS Education remains committed to supporting students through these changes by offering accurate guidance, up-to-date visa information, and reliable support for admissions and compliance. Stay informed and let JnS help you plan your UK study journey with confidence and clarity.
For further perspectives, see UK CISA Response to the White Paper – May 2025.
Disclaimer: This article provides a summary of key proposals from UK Government’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper. The White Paper outlines intended policy directions, and specific changes will be implemented through updates to UK’s Immigration Rules. All information should be cross-referenced with official government publications and guidance as it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got questions? Here’s everything you need to know!
1. What is the main purpose of UK’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper?
The White Paper, titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” aims to reduce overall net migration to UK. It also seeks to recalibrate the immigration system’s approach to international students and skilled workers, with an emphasis on attracting those who can make significant contributions to UK.
2. How is the Graduate Route changing for international students?
The Graduate Route, which allows students to stay in UK to work or look for work after their studies, will be shortened from 2 years to 18 months for those completing bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The White Paper summaries did not explicitly detail changes for PhD graduates, who currently have a 3-year Graduate Route visa; the focus was on the reduction for other degrees.
3. Will it be harder for universities to sponsor international students?
Yes, universities and colleges will face stricter compliance requirements. The government is strengthening the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) and introducing a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) rating system. Institutions with poor compliance could face penalties, potentially including the loss of their license to sponsor international students.
4. Are there any new financial burdens being proposed for international students or universities?
The government is exploring the introduction of a levy on higher education providers based on the income they receive from international students. The stated intention is that this funding could be reinvested into UK further education, apprenticeships, and skills training. This is currently a proposal under consideration, not a confirmed policy.
5. Are English language requirements changing?
Yes. For Skilled Worker visas, the minimum English language proficiency required will increase from CEFR level B1 to B2. Additionally, adult dependants of both workers and students will need to meet a new English language requirement: A1 level on entry, progressing to A2 for visa extensions, and B2 for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
6. Is it true that it will take longer to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
For many migrants on the points-based system, including those on the Skilled Worker route and their dependants, the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will increase from 5 years to 10 years. The White Paper suggests there might be exceptions or ways to reduce this period for individuals making “significant contributions,” but details are yet to be defined.
7. What are the key changes to the Skilled Worker visa route that might affect graduates looking for work?
Two main changes are:
- The minimum skill level for jobs eligible for a Skilled Worker visa will be raised to RQF Level 6 (degree level).
- Salary thresholds will rise to reflect this higher skill level. It’s important to remember the general salary threshold was already increased to £38,700 in April 2024; this White Paper confirms a continued upward trend in salary expectations in line with the RQF 6 skill level.
