The UK government has introduced significant immigration reforms as part of its newly released white paper, including a reduction in the post-study Graduate Route from two years to 18 months. This move is part of broader efforts to reduce net migration and tighten compliance across the education and work visa systems.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the government’s goal to lower migration numbers, stating that enforcement will be “tougher than ever.” The new measures aim to ensure that only those who work and contribute to society can remain in the UK long-term. However, contrary to previous speculation, the white paper does not tie the Graduate Route directly to specific professional roles, though additional reforms in this area are expected.
In addition to the shorter Graduate Route, the white paper introduces plans to potentially implement a 6% levy on income that higher education providers earn from international students. If approved, the funds will be reinvested into the UK’s education and skills sectors, with further details to be announced in the Autumn budget.
Compliance requirements for universities and colleges sponsoring international students will be significantly strengthened. The Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds are being raised, with institutions now needing at least a 95% course enrolment rate and a 90% course completion rate to maintain their sponsor status. A new “Red-Amber-Green” rating system will also be introduced to identify underperforming institutions, which may then face restrictions on student recruitment and be required to follow improvement plans.
To increase accountability in recruitment, the use of the Agent Quality Framework (AQF) will become mandatory for all institutions working with overseas student recruitment agents. This is meant to curb malpractice and enhance the integrity of the UK’s international student recruitment system.
Another major change is the introduction of English language requirements for the dependants of student visa holders. Adult dependants will now need to demonstrate at least A1-level English to enter the UK, progressing to A2 for visa extensions and B2 to obtain settled status. Language requirements for skilled workers are also being raised from B1 to B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Prime Minister Starmer commented, “When people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language. Our system should distinguish between those who do and those who don’t.”
The short-term study route for English language learners is also under review, focusing on the accreditation process of language schools. The government is particularly concerned about the high visa refusal rates and possible exploitation within this route.
The white paper also introduces broader reforms to the UK’s skilled worker visa system. The skills threshold will rise to RQF level 6, or degree level, reversing previous policies that allowed more low-skilled workers to enter. Future immigration access for lower-skilled jobs will be strictly limited and tied to sectors experiencing critical labor shortages with clear plans to develop domestic talent.
Additionally, the government plans to end automatic settlement and citizenship eligibility after five years of residence. Under the new rules, migrants will generally need to live in the UK for at least ten years before applying for permanent status—unless they can demonstrate significant and ongoing contributions to the UK economy and society. High-performing professionals, such as doctors, engineers, nurses, and AI experts, will be eligible for fast-tracked settlement under this new merit-based framework.
These sweeping reforms come as the UK continues to tackle net migration numbers. From June 2023 to June 2024, net migration dropped by 20%, falling from 906,000 to 728,000, partly due to the ban on dependants of postgraduate-taught international students. The government hopes the new changes will accelerate this trend.
In summary, the UK’s new immigration white paper signals a shift toward a more selective, skills-driven approach to immigration. By tightening student and work visa routes and emphasizing language integration and compliance, the government aims to reshape the future of international mobility into the UK.
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