On 14 October 2025, the UK Government announced major changes to the immigration rules. They will impact students, workers, visitors, and families. The changes will come into effect on different dates. The changes relevant to employers and investors are summarised in this article. You can read the full details in the Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk)
Increase to English language requirements
The English language requirement for some work visas will increase from B1 level to B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
From 8 January 2025, new applicants for the Skilled Worker visa, High Potential Individual visa, and Scale-up work visas will need B2 level. Workers who already have permission at B1 level under an existing visa can continue to extend their stay at that same level.
B1 is intermediate English for everyday conversations. B2 requires understanding complex texts and fluent interaction, closer to advanced English.
Graduate visa reduction
The Graduate visa, reintroduced in July 2021, allows graduates from UK universities to stay and look for work without needing a job offer first.
From 1 January 2027, successful Graduate visa applicants from courses below PhD level can only stay in the UK for 18 months instead of the current two years. PhD Graduate visa holders will still be able to stay for three years.
High Potential Individual visa
The High Potential Individual visa is for graduates from the top 50 universities worldwide. This route allows graduates to come to work without a job offer and is useful for investors and entrepreneurs.
From 4 November 2025, the list of eligible universities will double. This will open the route to graduates from global institutions ranked in the top 100 of at least two major world rankings.
However, a UK cap of 8,000 applications per year will come in. Once that cap is reached in any given year, no further applications will be accepted until the following year.
Innovator Founder visa
The Innovator Founder visa allows entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas endorsed by an approved body to establish businesses in the UK. However, only around 500 visas are issued in the UK per year so this remains a niche route.
From 25 November 2025, Student visa holders who have completed their course will be able to start working on their business while switching to the Innovator Founder visa. Previously, Student visa work restrictions prevented this.
Global Talent visa
The Global Talent visa allows leaders or potential leaders in science, digital technology, and arts and culture to work without sponsorship or a job offer. Applicants will need to be endorsed by an approved endorsing body unless they have an eligible prize. The list of eligible prestigious prizes has been updated following consultation with endorsing bodies. Twenty-seven prizes have been added and one deleted.
From 11 November 2025, changes to the Global Talent category will benefit individuals in the architectural field. Previously, architects applying under arts and culture had to provide evidence of their achievements on an individual basis only. These changes now allow architects to be recognised as a named member of a group or contributor, and to provide evidence of significantly contributing to being shortlisted or nominated for an international architectural award. This aligns the criteria for architects more closely with requirements for other sections of arts and culture.
Seasonal Worker visa
From 11 November 2025, seasonal workers will be able to return to the UK for work sooner than before. Previously, seasonal workers in horticulture could spend no more than six months working in the UK during any rolling 12-month period. This change reduces the rolling period to 10 months instead of 12 months. This change makes the route more flexible for both workers and employers.
Summary
Some common work visas are negatively impacted by these changes, e.g. the reduction of the Graduate visa duration and higher English Language requirements for Skilled Worker visas. However, niche work routes for investors have become more open, e.g. the High Potential Individual visa will be open to graduates from more institutions.
Any Scottish employers or inward Scottish investors impacted by these changes can request a free appointment with an immigration lawyer from Scotland’s Migration Service.