Immigration white paper - implications for employers
Immigration white paper - implications for employers
The government published an immigration white paper in May 2025 which proposes radical reforms to the UK's points-based immigration system. Assuming all the proposals go ahead, what are the potential implications?
Aims of the reforms
The government's reforms, as set out in the white paper, are aimed at growing the UK's domestic workforce, ending reliance on overseas labour, boosting economic growth and reducing net migration. In 82 pages, the white paper's proposals are wide-ranging and cover work, study, family life, enforcement and enforcement. We are focusing here on the proposals that relate to work.
ONS ESTIMATED NET MIGRATION TO THE UK
2020 111,000
2021 254,000
2022 634,000
2023 685,000
2024 728,000
Work reforms
The white paper proposes to:
* raise the Skilled Worker visa threshold to RQF 6 (graduate level) and above. Salary thresholds will also rise to reflect the higher skill level and the English language requirement will be increased. The Skilled Worker visa threshold is currently RQF 3 (A-level equivalent), so raising it would mean that the number of lower-skilled workers coming to the UK would be reduced as jobs would need to be at degree level or above.
* Close the Health and Care Worker visa for carers and senior carers for entry clearance applicants.
* Launch new requirements for workforce strategies to be produced by key sectors where there are high levels of recruitment from abroad.
* Abolish the Immigration Salary List.
* Establish a new "Temporary Shortage List" to provide time-limited access to the points-based immigration system. Occupations at RQF 3-5 must be on this list to gain access to the points-
based immigration system (and there will also be restrictions on bringing dependents where the worker is in a role on this list).
* Only allow access to the points-based immigration system under the Temporary Shortage List on a
time-limited basis, for occupations where there have been long-term shortages and:
(1) the Migration Advisory Committee has advised it's justified, e.g. shortage occupations which are key to the UK's industrial strategy; (2) there's a workforce strategy in place; and (3) sponsors in those roles are committed to increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce.
Tip. Once the change to the Skilled Worker visa threshold takes effect, existing Skilled Workers will continue to be able to renew their visa and change employment in currently eligible occupations below RQF 6, but applicants from overseas, or those applying to switch from other routes, would have to follow the new rules.
Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will increase by 25% to bring the rate in line with inflation. The ISC is currently £364 per year of sponsorship for small sponsors, and £1,000 per year of sponsorship for medium/large sponsors, so this would mean increases to £450 and £1,250 per year respectively.
Trap. The ISC must be paid in one go, using the start/end dates on the certificate of sponsorship.
The level for Skilled Worker visas will be lifted to RQF 6 (graduate level) and salary thresholds will rise. A Temporary Shortage List will provide time-limited access to the points-based immigration system for occupations below RQF 6, but there will be strict criteria to fulfil here. The Immigration Skills Charge will also increase by 32%.