“A New Direction” explained –
by Leena Chouhan, Head of Immigration
On 12 May 2025, the Home Office released a wide-ranging immigration white paper aimed at reducing net migration and restoring control over UK borders. Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper presented the 82-page plan, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, as a blueprint for reshaping policy toward long-term sustainability and economic contribution.
Skilled Workers and Employers
Key reforms will raise the bar for skilled worker visas under the Immigration White Paper. The minimum skills threshold will return to RQF Level 6 (graduate level), and salary thresholds will increase. The current Immigration Salary List, which provides lower salary entry points for certain roles, will be abolished.
Employers will face new obligations to invest in domestic training and reduce dependency on international recruitment. Access to the Points-Based System will be limited to roles with long-term shortages, backed by advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), a workforce strategy, and a clear commitment to local hiring.
Sector Reform: Social Care and Study Visas
One of the most significant changes is the planned closure of overseas recruitment routes for social care visas. New applications will end, although existing visa holders may extend or switch within the UK until 2028 during the transition.
For the education sector, the government will tighten compliance standards for student sponsors. Institutions at risk of failing sponsor duties may be placed under restrictions. Additionally, post-study work rights will be reduced to 18 months.
Family and Human Rights Framework
The immigration white paper also addresses the current complexity in family and private life applications. New legislation will assert that it is Parliament, not the courts, that determines who may remain in the UK, particularly in deportation cases involving Article 8 (right to family life).
Attracting High Talent and Driving Growth
The government will expand fast-track immigration routes for global talent, especially in science, research, and design. Reforms to the Innovator Founder and High Potential Individual visas aim to increase their effectiveness in driving growth. More placements will be offered for research interns and key roles in strategic industries.
Enforcement and Border Integrity
Several measures will target abuse in the immigration and asylum systems. This includes tightening visa controls for high-risk routes, applying sanctions to non-compliant sponsors, and ensuring greater cooperation from overseas governments in returning nationals.
For asylum seekers, stricter assessments will apply, particularly where claims are made post-arrival or where home country conditions remain unchanged.
Foreign National Offenders
The immigration white paper establishes a deportation framework. Indeed this will expand to include all foreign nationals convicted of offences – not just those imprisoned. Statutory exceptions will be revised to better reflect the seriousness of crimes, including those involving violence against women and girls.
Language, Settlement, and Citizenship
New English language requirements will be introduced across a wider range of visa categories. Applicants and their dependants will need to demonstrate improvement over time.
The qualifying period for settlement will double to 10 years. A new points-based approach will also be introduced for settlement and citizenship, focusing on contribution to the UK.
Next Steps
These reforms form part of the government’s broader Plan for Change. Initial changes will begin in the coming weeks, with additional measures on asylum and border security expected later this summer through the forthcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
Taylor Hampton will continue to monitor developments for the immigration white paper and advise clients as further detail becomes available. See our Head of Immigration Leena Chouhan’s profile HERE: