Specialising in UK Immigration Law, Nick has over 12 years of experience including 3 years working for the UK Home Office in England and 6 years spent working at Big Four professional services firms. Nick advises clients on a broad range of Business Immigration matters including Right to Work employment compliance and Global Mobility requirements.
The UK government has published a sweeping set of immigration reforms under Statement of Changes HC 1333, introducing new rules that will affect students, graduates, workers, and employers. While many of these changes were previewed in the earlier immigration white paper, the final document—spanning 111 pages—includes several unexpected additions. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant updates and what they mean for prospective migrants and stakeholders.
Visa Requirements Tighten for Botswana and Palestine
Effective immediately from 14 October 2025, nationals of Botswana must now obtain a visit visa before entering the UK. Transitional protections are in place, but the shift marks a notable change in travel policy.
Similarly, Palestine has been added to the visa national list. From 11 November 2025, Palestinian nationals will be required to apply for a visa prior to travel. These changes reflect evolving diplomatic and security considerations.
German School Groups Granted Easier Access
In a more welcoming move, German students under 19 years old will be allowed to enter the UK without advance permission when traveling as part of a school group of five or more. This provision, effective 11 November 2025, also permits EU, EEA, and Swiss students in these groups to travel using national identity cards instead of passports.
New Rights for Stateless Individuals and Their Families
Appendix Statelessness has been amended to allow dependants—partners and children—of stateless individuals to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay, provided they were part of the family unit before the stateless person was granted leave. This change, effective 11 November 2025, also clarifies that dependants who joined the family unit later may apply under the family provisions in Appendix FM.
Immigration Skills Charge Set to Rise
Although not included directly in HC 1333, the Immigration Skills Charge is increasing by 32%, from £1,000 to £1,320 per year. This fee, paid by employers for each year of a sponsored worker’s employment, adds to the already significant costs of international recruitment. The parliamentary process to implement the increase is expected to begin shortly.
English Language Requirements Toughened
From 8 January 2026, applicants for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual (HPI), and Scale-up routes must meet a higher English language standard—B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), up from B1. Those extending their stay under existing permissions will remain subject to the original B1 requirement.
High Potential Individual Route Expanded and Capped
The HPI route, designed to attract graduates from top global universities, is undergoing a targeted expansion. The number of eligible institutions will double, and the annual cap for applicants will be set at 8,000. Despite the cap, the government expects only 4,000 applicants in the coming year, up from 2,000 previously. The cap appears to be a precautionary measure to prevent an unexpected surge in applications.
Global Talent Route Gets a Boost
Architects and other creatives will benefit from enhancements to the Global Talent Route. Applicants can now submit evidence of achievements as part of a group or as contributors to award-nominated projects. The list of eligible prizes is also expanding. Further reforms are expected in 2026, with the government aiming to double the intake of highly skilled individuals in sectors like research, design, and film.
Graduate Route Duration Shortened
Starting 1 January 2027, the duration of stay under the Graduate route will be reduced from two years to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders. PhD graduates will continue to receive three years of leave. This change may impact post-study work planning for international students.
Students Can Transition to Innovator Founder Route
From 25 November 2025, students who have completed their courses will be allowed to switch to the Innovator Founder route and engage in self-employment, including starting a business. This reinstates a flexibility previously available under the now-defunct Start-up route. Additionally, financial requirements for student visas will increase for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Suitability Rules Replace Grounds for Refusal
The long-standing ‘general grounds for refusal’ under Part 9 are being replaced with consolidated ‘suitability requirements.’ Appendix FM’s separate suitability rules will be merged into this new framework, effective 11 November 2025. While the change aims to simplify the rules, legal professionals may face a steep learning curve due to the extensive cross-referencing in the old system.
Seasonal Worker Rules Tightened
Seasonal workers will now be limited to six months of employment within any rolling 10-month period, down from 12 months. A four-month cooling-off period will be required before re-entry under the same category. These changes apply to applications submitted on or after 11 November 2025.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme Adjusted
Minor amendments have been made to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, including provisions to align a child’s leave with that of a legal guardian. While these changes appear technical, they may warrant closer scrutiny to understand their full implications.
These reforms represent a significant recalibration of the UK’s immigration landscape, with implications for students, skilled workers, employers, and legal practitioners. As implementation dates approach, stakeholders will need to stay informed and adapt to the evolving requirements.
This article was provided by Nick Bennett, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Tel: 028 9024 3141
www.cleaverfultonrankin.co.uk/
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
50 Bedford Street
Belfast
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