Breaking Down the New Immigration White Paper (May 2025)

Breaking Down the New Immigration White Paper (May 2025)

On 12^th May 2025, the UK government published the Restoring Control Over the Immigration System White Paper, an 82-page document outlining a major overhaul of the country’s immigration policies. Spearheaded by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and backed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, this landmark policy aims to address public concerns about high migration levels, restore order to a system described as “broken,” and align immigration with economic and social goals. With net migration peaking at nearly one million in 2023, the government is under pressure to deliver on its manifesto promise to reduce migration while supporting growth.

Here, we provide a breakdown of the White Paper’s key elements, followed by what it means for stakeholders and specific sectors.

What Is the Immigration White Paper?

The White Paper is a government proposal detailing how the UK plans to reform its immigration system. It’s not a law yet but sets the stage for future legislation and policy changes. Published in response to record-high net migration (almost quadruple the 2019 levels), the document outlines a system that emphasises control, contribution, and community cohesion. It aims to reduce reliance on overseas workers, boost domestic skills, and ensure fairness for British workers while maintaining economic growth.

Major Policy Changes

Here are the White Paper’s key proposals, broken down by their sector:

Work Reforms

The new work visa rules aim to prioritise high-skilled roles and reduce reliance on overseas labour in lower-skilled sectors:

• Skilled Worker Level Raised: The qualification level for Skilled Worker visas is returning to RQF Level 6 (graduate level jobs) and above. This will significantly narrow the types of roles eligible for sponsorship.
• Salary Threshold Increases: Thresholds for Skilled Worker’s minimum salary thresholds will also rise, reinforcing the shift toward attracting high-value talent.
• Higher Immigration Skills Charge: For the first time since 2017, this charge will increase by 32%, reflecting rates in-line with inflation. Currently, this is set at £364 per year of sponsorship for small/chartable sponsors and £1,000 per year for medium/large sponsors.
• Closure of Social Care Visa Route: New overseas applicants for care roles will no longer be eligible. However, a transitional period until 2028 allows current visa holders to extend or switch routes in the UK — however this may change as it is under review.
• New Temporary Shortage List: Only occupations below RQF 6 will be listed on this here in order to gain access to the immigration system.
• Stricter Entry Criteria:
  - Employers must prove efforts to train and recruit domestically.
  - There will be consequences for employers that fail to invest in UK talent.
• Refugee Integration into Work: A new scheme will let UNHCR-recognised refugees apply through existing Skilled Worker routes, if suitably qualified.
• Elite Talent Focus: Expect more refined routes for top-tier global professionals.

Study Reforms

 International student routes will face tighter scrutiny to preserve quality and compliance:

• Higher Compliance Thresholds: Minimum course enrolment and completion rates are increasing to 95% and 90%, respectively.
• New Traffic-Light Rating System: Institutions will be labelled Green, Amber, or Red depending on compliance performance.
• Restrictions for Poor-Performing Sponsors: Those at risk of failing their compliance metrics may be placed on recruitment caps and action plans to improve standards.
• Agent Quality Framework: Sponsors must only work with education agents committed to high ethical and service standards.
• Local Impact Considerations: Institutions must consider how their international recruitment affects local housing, services, and communities.
• Graduate Visa Shortened: Post-study work rights will reduce from 2 years to 18 months.
• New Levy Considered: A potential tax on international student tuition fees may be used to fund UK skills development.

Enforcement Reforms

 Tougher border enforcement is a key priority for the government:

• More Refusals for Rule Breakers: It will become easier to deny entry to individuals with criminal records or rule violations.
• Faster Deportations: Particularly for foreign national offenders, to prevent long-term residence.
• eVisas Rollout: Digital immigration statuses will replace physical BRP cards, improving compliance checks.
• Illegal Working Crackdown: More raids in high-risk sectors (e.g. the gig economy) using biometric and eVisa technology.
• Tackling Tax Avoidance: Government will target migrants who owe unpaid taxes through joined-up enforcement.

Integration and Settlement Reforms

 The government wants migrants to integrate fully into society and contribute meaningfully to the economy:

• Higher Language Requirements:
  - Skilled Workers: Increase from B1 to B2 level (CEFR) English for those where a language requirement already applies.
  - Dependants: New requirement at A1 level for all adult dependants of workers and students (aligning with spousal and partner routes), rising to A2 for extensions, and B2 for settlement.
  - Settlement/ILR: Increase existing requirement of B1 to B2 level across the majority of Settlement routes.
  
  
• Settlement Wait Extended: The default route to permanent settlement will lengthen to 10 years, unless a person makes ‘notable economic or social contributions’. Unclear at present what exactly this will entail.
  
  
• Exceptions Remain:
  - Victims of abuse or bereavement will have accelerated pathways.
  - British citizen dependants will retain a 5-year route.

• Citizenship Reforms:
  - New pathway for bereaved parents of British children.
  - A refreshed Life in the UK test and measures to support young people born or raised in the UK who lack immigration status.

How Will These Changes Be Implemented?

The White Paper’s reforms will roll out in phases, with some changes requiring new legislation, like the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

The government is also strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to identify sectors overly reliant on foreign workers and recommend solutions. A “quad” of bodies – MAC, Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Department for Work and Pensions – will coordinate to align immigration with domestic training.

Visa applications dropped 37% to 772,200 in the year to March 2025, partly due to prior Conservative reforms like banning care workers from bringing dependents. The White Paper builds on this momentum but goes further with its focus on skills and integration.

Implications for Stakeholders

The White Paper affects various groups differently. Here’s a snapshot of what it means for key stakeholders:

• Migrants: Stricter visa rules, higher English standards, and a 10-year settlement wait make it harder to come to or stay in the UK, especially for low-skilled workers or students. High-skilled professionals and refugees with skills may benefit from targeted routes.
• Employers: Businesses face higher costs (e.g., 32% Skills Charge increase) and mandates to train UK workers. Small firms in care or hospitality may struggle with labour shortages or compliance.
• UK Workers: Expanded training and apprenticeships create job opportunities, particularly for young people or low-skilled workers.
• Universities: Tighter sponsor rules and post-study work cuts (to 18 months) may deter international students, risking tuition revenue. A potential levy adds financial pressure.
• Public Services: Lower migration could ease pressure on housing and healthcare, but the NHS and care sectors may face staffing gaps without robust training.

Impacts on Specific Sectors

The White Paper’s reforms will hit certain industries harder than others. Here’s how key sectors are affected:

• Healthcare and Social Care: Closing social care visas and limiting low-skilled roles threaten staffing in care homes and the NHS. The 2028 transition period helps, but shortages may worsen without rapid domestic training.
• Technology and Engineering: High-skilled visa routes support tech growth, but firms must fund UK training to access overseas talent. Visa restrictions could slow recruitment.
• Hospitality and Retail: Time-limited visas and training mandates strain low-skilled sectors. Small businesses may face higher costs or reduced staff, potentially raising prices.
• Higher Education: Universities face revenue losses from fewer international students due to compliance rules, post-study work cuts, and a possible levy. Financial strain may deepen without government support.
  
  
  

Act Now

This White Paper marks a step toward recalibrating the UK immigration system — one that puts greater emphasis on domestic upskilling, compliance, and integration. Employers, education providers, and prospective migrants must now prepare for stricter rules, more robust enforcement, and fewer automatic routes into the UK.

 For more details, check out the full White Paper on the GOV.UK website.

Whether you’re an employer looking to sponsor workers under the new rules, a student visa sponsor seeking to ensure compliance, or an individual planning to settle in the UK, our immigration experts are here to guide you through these sweeping change

Contact us today at Migrate UK info@migrate-uk.com or 01235 645800 to discuss how these reforms may affect you or your business.