UK skilled worker visa changes 2025
The UK government has rolled out a series of new measures aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on overseas recruitment. If you’re an employer, international student, or simply interested in how these changes might affect the UK’s workforce and education landscape, here’s what you need to know.
Prioritising Local Talent
Under new rules, UK employers must first focus on hiring talent already living in the UK. This includes foreign nationals residing locally. Companies need to exhaust all local recruitment options before seeking overseas workers. Only after these efforts can businesses consult immigration specialists like Reiss Edwards. These experts help navigate the complex work visa system and ensure compliance with Home Office regulations.
Top immigration law firms play a crucial role. They regularly assist major UK companies in attracting skilled international professionals. These legal teams engage with the Home Office almost daily, helping businesses adapt to changing immigration policies.
Big Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa
Starting next month, the Skilled Worker Visa’s minimum salary threshold will increase from £23,200 to £25,000 per year. This change aligns with the recent rise in the UK’s minimum wage. It will affect both employers and prospective employees, requiring adjustments in recruitment and salary offers.
The Role of Overseas Care Workers
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, highlighted the vital contribution of overseas care workers in the UK healthcare sector. However, the government aims to crack down on employers exploiting migrant workers. The focus is on encouraging foreign care workers already in the UK to rejoin the workforce. This approach seeks to reduce reliance on recruiting new care workers from abroad.
International Students Face New Hurdles
These changes also impact international students. New rules for the short-term student visa pathway give caseworkers greater power to refuse applications seen as not genuine. Currently, students can apply to study English in the UK for six to eleven months. Yet, the Home Office is concerned about misuse by those without real study intentions or plans to leave after their course.
A Sharp Drop in Student Visas
The effects are clear: UK-sponsored student visas fell sharply by 31%, from over 600,000 in 2023 to around 415,000 in 2024. Universities UK attributes this decline to stricter migration policies and uncertainty over post-graduate work opportunities. Cities like Coventry, with the second-highest proportion of international students after London, feel this impact strongly.
Brexit’s Ongoing Impact
Coventry University reports Brexit has significantly hindered attracting EU students. Since August 2021, new EU students must pay international tuition fees and cannot access UK tuition fee loans. The UK’s Turing Scheme replaced Erasmus+ but only supports British students going abroad. It does not offer reciprocal opportunities for foreign students to study in the UK.
Citations:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-9-april-2025
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/updates
In Summary:
Whether you’re an employer, a student, or simply watching these changes unfold, it’s clear that the UK’s approach to immigration and international recruitment is shifting. Staying informed and seeking expert guidance is more important than ever as the landscape continues to evolve.
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