Restoring Control over the Immigration System
The UK Government's White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System, presented to Parliament in May 2025, outlines the most sweeping changes to the UK's legal migration framework in over a decade. Framed as a response to record-high net migration and a perceived overreliance on international recruitment, the White Paper sets out a detailed and ambitious policy agenda aimed at reducing migration, tightening UK visa eligibility, and embedding migration policy within broader labour market, skills and integration strategies.
House of Commons Library briefing
Work visas & skilled migration
- 01
Skilled Worker route raised to graduate level (RQF6). Around 180 occupations — chefs, seafarers, many hospitality, retail and care roles — will be removed. Existing visa holders in lower-skilled jobs can extend or switch until 2028 under transitional arrangements.
- 02
Salary thresholds lifted and the Immigration Salary List removed. General thresholds already increased (£38,700 in April 2024), with further rises expected.
- 03
Immigration Skills Charge increased by 32% — from £364 to ~£480 per visa year (small sponsors) and £1,000 to ~£1,320 (larger sponsors).
- 04
A new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for below-graduate roles in critical shortage occupations — sectors must meet MAC advice, publish workforce strategies, and show domestic recruitment effort. TSL workers will have fewer rights to bring dependants.
- 05
Adult social care visa closed to new applicants. In-country extensions and switches remain under review until 2028.
- 06
Global Talent and High Potential Individual routes expanded and streamlined for AI, life sciences, research and overseas corporate expansion workers.
Student & Graduate route changes
- 01
Post-study work visa cut from 24 to 18 months (PhD students excluded).
- 02
Tougher compliance for education providers — BCAs tightened by 5%, sponsors graded Red/Amber/Green, mandatory Agent Quality Framework participation, and a review of universities' impact on local housing and services.
- 03
A possible higher-education levy on international student income to support domestic skills training.
Family migration & settlement
- 01
Stricter English language rules — Skilled Worker and primary applicants from B1 to B2 CEFR; adult dependants A1 entry, A2 extension, B2 ILR.
- 02
Review of family-visa income thresholds and suitability tests, with clearer 'exceptional circumstances' definitions in family and private-life routes.
- 03
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) extended from 5 to 10 years on the standard route. Points-based 'Earned Settlement' option for high-contribution migrants. Dependants of British citizens remain on a 5-year route.
- 04
Earned, points-based citizenship — Life in the UK test refreshed; new bereaved-parent and care-leaver routes introduced.
Enforcement, asylum & integration
- 01
Deportation thresholds relaxed — minor offenders, especially in cases of serious violence against women and girls, may face removal.
- 02
New eVisa and ETA systems with automated checks and biometric tracking; civil penalties for non-compliant sponsors, banks, employers and landlords.
- 03
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to limit Article 8 human-rights safeguards, enforce age tests and curtail support for late asylum claimants.
- 04
Integration emphasis — English competence, civic values and contribution; a new Fair Work agency to protect migrants and require employer domestic-skills strategies.
Impact & intent
The UK aims to cut net migration by approximately 100,000 annually, primarily by reducing lower-skilled work and student routes. Labour signals a tougher immigration stance — linking migration policy tightly to labour-market planning, domestic training and integration.
Summary table
| Policy Area | Key Change |
|---|---|
| Skilled Work | Only degree-level jobs; salary + English thresholds up; ISC ↑ |
| Shortage Roles | New Temporary Shortage List; depends on workforce strategy; no dependants |
| Care Visas | Closed to new overseas applicants; current visa holders permitted until 2028 |
| Students | Post-study visa cut to 18 months; tighter oversight & possible levy |
| Languages | B2 for main applicants; A1 → A2 → B2 for dependants and ILR |
| ILR & Citizenship | Standard route extended to 10 years; 'Earned Settlement' option |
| Enforcement & Asylum | Deportation thresholds relaxed; eVisas; Article 8 limits |
| Integration | Employers and sponsors must support domestic workforce training |