Immigration system changes announced 14 October 2025 

On 14 October 2025, the UK Government presented major changes to the UK Immigration Rules to Parliament. These changes affect students, workers, visitors, and families and will come into effect on different dates. Most of the announced changes point to making it harder for people come to the UK and contribute to UK Society. In this article we have summarised the main changes. The full details can be accessed in the Statement of Changes HC 1333.

From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement for Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual, and Scale-up routes is being increased from B1 to B2 level under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, people who already have permission at B1 level can continue to extend their stay at that same level.

From 1 January 2027, graduates from courses below PhD level will only be permitted to stay in the UK for 18 months instead of the current two years, reducing the time they have to secure work and apply for a longer-term visa. PhD graduates remain unchanged at three years. 

From 4 November 2025, the list of eligible universities considered for the High Potential Individual visa will double, opening the route to graduates from more top global institutions. However, a cap of 8,000 applications per year is being introduced.

From 25 November 2025, students who have completed their course will be permitted to start working on a business of their own while switching to the Innovator Founder visa. Previously, restriction on student working conditions prevented this. 

From 11 November 2025, seasonal workers will be able to work for 6 months in the UK during any 10-month rolling period rather than a 12-month rolling period. This will give more flexibility for workers and employers in horticulture. 

From 11 November 2025, architects applying for the Global Talent route will benefit from the criteria being better aligned with requirements for other sections of arts and culture. 

From 11 November 2025, students will need to demonstrate they have higher funds to support themselves for each month of their course (up to 9 months). The monthly amount is increasing from £1,483 to £1,529 for students studying in London (£13,761 for 9 months), and from £1,136 to £1,171 for students studying outside London (£10,539 for 9 months). 

From 11 November 2025, a new “Part Suitability” section replaces “Part 9: Grounds for Refusal”, the common grounds for refusing visa applications. The government calls this simplification, but it does more than that. Part Suitability sets out when applications “must” be refused (mandatory) and when they “may” be refused (discretionary). Much of it replicates Part 9, but there are subtle changes in phrasing and what these changes mean in practice remains to be seen.

The major change: family visas now included

Importantly these refusal grounds now apply to family visa applications for the first time. Previously, families had their own more generous suitability requirements. Now, applications under Appendix FM (partners, children, parents), Appendix Private Life, Appendix Adult Dependent Relative, and Appendix Settlement Family Life face the same refusal grounds as work and study visas. 

Previous overstaying and re-entry bans

If someone previously overstayed in the UK and now applies for entry clearance from abroad (including for family visas), their application must be refused if they’re within a re-entry ban period. The ban is typically 12 months for those who left voluntarily at their own expense, or longer depending in other circumstances. Exceptions exist, overstaying of 30 days or less (from April 2017) is disregarded if the person left voluntarily at their own expense. But families who overstayed beyond these periods could now be barred from returning to join family members until the ban expires.

Human rights considerations

Here’s a common scenario: someone overstays, leaves voluntarily, and returns home to apply for entry clearance to join a British spouse or child. Their application must be refused if made within the re-entry ban period. However, unlike the most serious refusal grounds re-entry bans for overstaying are not absolute. Applicants can theoretically argue that refusing their family visa would disproportionately interfere with their right to family life. In practice, this is a high bar, and human rights arguments might now not overcome a re-entry ban. But the door isn’t completely closed, and it will be left to the courts interpret these changes. 

From 11 November 2025, following the UK’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine in September 2025, Palestine is being added to the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa National List, meaning nationals of Palestine will need to apply for and obtain a visa prior to visiting the UK.

From 11 November 2025, amendments bring the grounds for cancelling pre-settled status on or before arrival in the UK into line with the rules for curtailing it in-country. This means pre-settled status can now be cancelled at the border where the person never met, or has ceased to meet, the requirements of Appendix EU, and where it is proportionate to do so. 

These changes represent a significant overhaul of UK immigration rules. The practical effect is largely restrictive and open to interpretation. Anyone affected should consider seeking immigration advice, particularly if you have previous overstaying or are applying for a family visa.