The UK government has announced a comprehensive reform of its immigration system, with new regulations set to come into effect on July 22, 2025.
Described as a ‘complete reset,’ the changes were unveiled by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.
The overhaul aims to reduce overall migration and curb dependence on low-wage foreign labour.
Among the most notable changes is the closure of the overseas recruitment pathway for social care workers.
From July 22, new visa applications for care roles from outside the UK will no longer be accepted.
However, care workers already in the country will be allowed to switch visa types internally until July 2028.
The new system also increases both the salary and qualification thresholds for skilled worker visas. Going forward, most applicants will need at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
Those already residing and working in the UK under existing permits will be exempt from this rule.
“The salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data,” said Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship.
Malhotra added that the Migration Advisory Committee would review the new salary bands and related exemptions.
The reforms will also drastically reduce the shortage occupation list, which previously allowed easier access to visas for jobs in high demand.
Over 100 roles, including chefs and plasterers, are being removed.
A smaller list of “critical” roles will be retained temporarily, but these positions will no longer benefit from discounted fees or the right to bring dependents.
The government has tasked the MAC with reviewing the temporary list to determine if any roles should remain beyond 2026.
Only a limited number of occupations will be eligible, and under tighter regulations intended to encourage local workforce training.
“These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system, and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.
“We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years,” Cooper told MPs.
The Home Office said the changes are intended to reduce abuse of the care visa route and address long-standing issues with worker exploitation. The reforms also aim to reduce the UK’s reliance on lower-skilled migrants.
