The UK Government has released its 2025 Immigration White Paper, detailing significant reforms to its migration system. These reforms include updates to student visas, the Graduate Route, pathways to settlement, and compliance requirements for educational institutions. Although these proposals are not yet law, they indicate substantial changes that international students and education providers should prepare for. A major proposed change is the reduction of the post-study Graduate Route visa duration from two years to 18 months. While this has not been finalised, it is intended to ensure that international graduates make a more direct and effective contribution to the UK economy during their stay.
Additionally, the government is considering a 6% levy on higher education institutions’ income from international students. If implemented, this levy would be reinvested into the UK’s broader higher education and skills system, with more details expected in the Autumn Budget.
The government plans to raise compliance thresholds for educational institutions to prevent misuse of student visas. Institutions will need to achieve a course enrolment rate of at least 95%, a course completion rate of 90%, and keep visa refusal rates below 10%.
A Red-Amber-Green (RAG) rating system will be introduced to monitor and publish sponsor performance. Institutions that are close to failing these metrics may face targeted interventions, including restrictions on the number of international students they can enrol and placement on tailored improvement plans.
Furthermore, universities and colleges that use international recruitment agents will be required to participate in the Agent Quality Framework (AQF) to ensure accountability and high recruitment standards.
New English language requirements are also proposed. Dependants of international students will need to demonstrate A1-level English upon arrival, progress to A2 for visa extensions, and reach B2 level for settlement eligibility.
Skilled workers and others on routes requiring English proficiency will need to meet a higher B2-level standard. These changes reflect the government’s emphasis on integration and the expectation that migrants actively contribute to British society. The Short-Term Student (English Language) Route is also being reviewed due to a high refusal rate of 48% in 2024. The government is expected to implement stricter regulations and conduct a thorough review of the bodies that accredit English language providers to ensure that only credible institutions remain active.
In addition to changes related to students, the government plans to raise the minimum skill level required for work visas. Workers will now need to meet RQF Level 6 (graduate level) qualifications to qualify, while lower-skilled roles will only be eligible under strict, time-limited conditions tied to critical shortages and domestic training commitments. The current five-year path to settlement in the UK is also set to undergo changes. Under the proposed system, migrants will need to reside in the UK for ten years before becoming eligible for settlement, unless they can demonstrate a substantial and lasting contribution to the economy and society.
A fast-track option will be available for high-skilled individuals in sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and artificial intelligence. These proposed reforms represent one of the most significant shifts in the UK’s immigration policy in recent years. International students will need to be more strategic in selecting reputable institutions, using verified agents, and planning their post-study futures.
At Help Me Settle, we remain committed to supporting students through these changes and will continue to provide updates and guidance as more details are released. Source: UK Immigration White Paper (May 2025)
