Indian Migrants Alerted as UK Raises Visa Barriers and Delays Settlement Pathway

Los Angeles/ July 23, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh

Indians who are working in the UK—or planning to study or build a career there—should prepare for sweeping immigration changes that come into effect on July 22, 2025.

These updates mark the first phase of immigration reforms introduced by the Labour government through its White Paper released in May 2025. The overhaul focuses mainly on the Skilled Worker visa route, tightening eligibility based on job roles, salary levels, and long-term settlement criteria.

Stricter Job Qualification Rules Ahead
Starting July 22, all positions under the Skilled Worker visa must meet Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6, equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree.

This means that roughly 180 occupations, especially in caregiving, hospitality, and transport, will no longer qualify. Jobs like chefs, delivery supervisors, and care assistants—which were previously allowed—are now excluded from sponsorship.
Employers can still submit Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) under the current rules, but only if they are issued before July 21, 2025. After that date, new applications will be assessed under the updated standards.

Salary Benchmarks Raised
The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas is also rising, increasing from £38,700 (₹41.8 lakh) to £41,700 (₹45 lakh) annually.
This also affects those seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after July 22—even if they initially entered under the old rules. There is no transitional relief; the updated salary rules will apply immediately to all ILR applications post-deadline.
Other immigration categories, such as Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes, will also see revised salary requirements.

What Employers Must Do Immediately
With the changes now active, UK-based employers are urged to take the following actions to remain compliant:

• Submit any pending CoS applications before July 21
• Check if existing roles meet the new RQF Level 6 requirement
• Adjust salary structures in HR and budget planning
• Identify current Skilled Worker visa holders who may still qualify under older terms
• Review recruitment strategies and consider local workforce training
• Communicate policy changes to employees clearly
• Consult legal or immigration experts to reduce compliance risks

More Immigration Reforms Coming in 2025
The White Paper also outlines further proposals expected to roll out by the end of this year, including:

• Increased Immigration Skills Charge for employers
• Stricter English language proficiency rules
• Graduate Visa duration reduced from 2 years to 18 months
• Tighter rules for family visas
• A proposal to extend the ILR eligibility period from 5 to 10 years

Is Permanent Residency Now a 10-Year Wait?
One of the most impactful proposals is a shift to an “earned settlement” model. Under this plan, most migrants would need to wait 10 years (instead of 5) to apply for ILR.

However, individuals contributing through the Points-Based System—such as highly skilled workers—may qualify sooner. The government has yet to clarify how this points-based early settlement would work or what the specific criteria will be.
A public consultation on this is expected later in 2025.

Who Is Exempt?
Not all visa holders will be subject to the 10-year requirement. The following groups have been confirmed as exempt and will retain the 5-year settlement pathway:

• Spouses of British citizens
• Victims of domestic abuse
• EU citizens under the EU Settlement Scheme

It’s still uncertain whether other categories, such as Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders, will also be exempt.

Will the New Settlement Rules Apply to Existing Visa Holders?
That remains unclear. In a May 12 statement, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that more details on settlement and citizenship reforms would be released later in the year.
She also said the government intends to apply the new rules widely but will consult the public before finalizing any changes.

Will These Rules Face a Parliamentary Vote?
Most changes—such as those made via Statements of Changes—do not require Parliament to vote. These updates become law unless formally rejected within 40 days, which rarely happens.
Only those changes that require primary legislation, such as introducing new charges on students or modifying citizenship law, will need a parliamentary vote. These are expected to be rolled out in phases through separate bills.

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