Upcoming Changes to the Immigration System
The UK government released a new Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025. This page has been set up to help provide support with the upcoming changes.
Please note that a white paper is a statement of intended strategy, it is not a legal document. It does not give the detail of the stated changes, or how they will be implemented, it just sets the direction of policy for the future.
It has been announced that the first phase of reforms to work visas will take effect from 22nd July 2025 and the key points are:
- Raising the skills threshold for skilled worker visas from RQF level 3 (regulated qualification framework) to RQF level 6 (mainly graduate professions). This will apply to applicants from overseas and those applying to switch from other routes.
- Salary thresholds for work visas are being raised with the salary threshold for the skilled worker visa increasing from £38,700 to £41,700. This will apply to those applicants from overseas, those applying to switch from other routes and potentially those who were issued a skilled worker visa after 4th April 2024 at point of visa extension.
- The changes to both the skills and salary thresholds include transitional arrangements, allowing existing Skilled Worker visa holders to continue to extend their visas, bring dependants, change employment and take supplementary employment in occupations below RQF level 6.
- The Immigration Salary List (ISL) and a new, interim Temporary Shortage List (TSL) provide time-limited and conditional access to the skilled worker route for occupations below the new RQF level 6 threshold, but with no ability for applicants to bring dependants. The ISL will be phased out in future and the TSL will be reviewed.
- There are presently no decisions on the changes to settlement rules and these will still require a period of public consultation and further detail isn't expected until later this year. There are likely to be circumstances which will shorten the required residence period but these are yet to be clarified. Current thinking in the sector is that these may be of benefit to those currently in roles which meet the new skills and salary thresholds, but this is yet to be confirmed by the Home Office.
We will continue to communicate detail to impacted staff as we have it. Please email the Staff Immigration Team if you would like to have a 1:1 discussion about your personal situation.
We have regular Staff Immigration Team Surgeries where you can meet an Adviser in person at the Global Lounge.
Upcoming Surgery:
17th July 2025 - 10am to 12 noon.
Email us at staff-immigration-team@bristol.ac.uk to book a slot.
Last updated: 3/7/2025
