The UK Government’s recent White Paper titled “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System”, outlines significant changes to the nation’s immigration policies. These proposals aim to reduce net migration, prioritise high-skilled workers, and enhance compliance measures. The main changes that will affect sponsors are:
1. Changes to thresholds to direct migrant recruitment and settlement
The minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa is set to rise as well as the “skills” threshold for Skilled Workers, returning to Regulation Qualification Framework (“RQF”) 6 from RQF 3 which will considerably restrict the opportunity for sponsors to employ migrant workers. Any exception to this must be agreed and implemented by the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”). The Health and Social Care visa is also to be abolished which will bar the recruitment of overseas workers as care workers.
Alternatively, the Global Talent and Innovator visas are to be simplified in an effort to attract professionals in targeted fields.
The “English language” requirement is to be bolstered during each application stage with evidence of improvement potentially being required. This will apply also to the “family visa” options which are to be simplified in order to limit opportunities for abuse of the options available to alleged dependents.
Migrants seeking settlement after a period of sponsorship may, in many cases, face a doubling of the qualifying period of sponsorship, currently set at 5 years for many visas with indication that this will increase to 10 years.
2. Abolition of the Immigration Salary List
The Immigration Salary List which permitted salary discounts for shortage occupations is to be removed. Sponsors will need to bear this in mind and adjust their salary offerings to meet the new standards unless the role features on the Temporary Shortage List to be maintained by the MAC.
3. Increasing the Immigration Skills Charge
The Government will increase, though no date is set yet, the Immigration Skills Charge by 32% to bring it in line with inflation as set out below (unless an exemption applies).
| Sponsor Type |
Previous Rate |
New Rate |
Each additional 6 months - Previous rate |
Each additional 6 months – New rate |
| Small Businesses / Charities |
£364 |
£480 |
£182 |
£240 |
| Medium / Large Sponsors |
£1,000 |
£1320 |
£500 |
£660 |
4. Mandating Workforce Strategies
Sectors with high levels of recruitment from overseas will be required to produce, and update, a workforce strategy which relevant employers will need to comply with as a condition of sponsorship. The workforce strategy will detail steps to be taken on skills, training, and broader conditions.
5. Reforms to the Graduate Route
The Graduate Route will undergo reforms including a reduction in the post-study visa duration from two years to 18 months. Additionally, the compliance regime for Universities to sponsors students will be tightened which will decrease the opportunity for Student Visas also.
If you would like to discuss what these planned changes may mean for your business, please contact our Employment team.
