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. 

Indefinite Leave to Remain
The Home Secretary launched the statement and consultation on earned settlement on 20th November 2025. The consultation is open for responses until 11:59 pm on 12th February 2026. The Staff Immigration Team is currently reviewing the statement and the detail of the consultation. 

Reforms to work visas
The first phase of reforms to work visas took effect from 22nd July 2025, these included:

• Raising the skills threshold for skilled worker visas from RQF level 3 (regulated qualification framework) to RQF level 6 (mainly graduate professions). This applies to applicants from overseas and those applying to switch from other visa routes.
  
  
• Salary thresholds for work visas have been raised. The salary threshold for skilled worker visas increased from £38,700 to £41,700. This applies to applicants from overseas, those applying to switch from other routes, and those who were issued a skilled worker visa after 4th April 2024 at the 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.

Future changes

• The increase in the English Language for Skilled Workers, High Potential Individuals and Scale up routes will increase from level B1 to B2 with effect from 8th January 2026 for new applications.

Evisas

• By the end of 2026, all visa routes to the UK will be fully digital. People travelling to the UK will also be required to have prior permission before travelling. Airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers will be required to confirm that passengers have this permission to travel to the UK before boarding.

  To prepare for these changes, the UKVI are encouraging all visa holders to ensure their current passports are linked to their UKVI accounts. Holders of immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme will already have a digital immigration record and eVisa, but it is important to confirm all details on your account are up-to-date. This simple step will help avoid inconvenience when travelling to the UK.

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:

29th January 2026 - Staff Global Lounge, Senate House.

Email us at staff-immigration-team@bristol.ac.uk to book a slot.

Last updated: 1/12/2025