A statement of changes was released on 14 October 2025 implementing changes to the Immigration Rules, in line with several policy intentions outlined in the government’s White Paper published on 12 May 2025.
The key points to note are are follows:
Immigration Skills Charge
The Skills Charge will increase to £1,320 per year for large sponsors from 16th December 2025.
Right to Work
The Home Office is launching a six week consultation on extending the right to work to cover more working arrangements.
English language
The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker route will increase from B1 level to B2 level. This change applies to new applications only applying on or after 8 January 2026. Existing Skilled Worker visa holders with permission in place before 8 January 2026 can continue to meet the current B1 level at extension stage.
Reducing length of Graduate visa
The 2 year Graduate visa route will be reduced to an 18 month duration for applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
Expanding the High Potential Individual route
From 4 November 2025 the number of eligible institutions is set to double to 100 and this route will be capped at 8,000 applications per year for the first time, running from 1 November to 31 October annually.
Engagement with the Home Office
The Home Office is running a series of events from 23rd October – 4th November where you can hear from them about the White Paper, but also from the Department of Work and Pensions, Department of Business and Trade and Department of Education.
Global Talent
Applicants who hold a qualifying prize can qualify without the need to obtain an endorsement from one of the Global Talent endorsing bodies. From 11 November 2025, a further 27 qualifying prizes are being added to the list.
Students switching to Innovator Founder
Students can begin to establish their business while transitioning to this visa from the 25 November 2025.
What next steps should you take:
Please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact for further information, or alternatively:
Lyudmyla Davies
Partner (Solicitor)
Ian Robinson
Partner
Andrea Als
Director (Solicitor)
Tom Marsom
Director (Solicitor)
Kate Gamester
Solicitor
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