In a dramatic overhaul of the United Kingdom’s immigration system, the British government has announced sweeping new policies that will significantly restrict the number of work and student visas issued to migrants, including Nigerians. These measures are part of a broader plan to reduce net migration by 100,000 people each year and to rein in what officials have described as an “unsustainable” increase in foreign arrivals.
Under these new rules, international students, skilled workers, care sector employees, and family members of migrants will face much tougher requirements to gain entry or extend their stay in the UK. The changes mark one of the most radical attempts in recent history to curtail immigration and are already drawing sharp criticism from business groups and civil society organisations, who argue the measures could harm the economy and worsen labour shortages.
Sweeping Salary Thresholds and Skills Demands for Work Visas
One of the most significant changes under the revised immigration rules involves increased salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker visa. First introduced under the Conservative government in April 2024, these thresholds have now been further tightened.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet a minimum salary requirement of £38,700 per year, up from the previous lower limits. Those classified as “new entrants” can still qualify with a minimum of £30,960, while some professions, such as health and social care, have retained a lower threshold of around £25,000. STEM professionals with a PhD must earn at least £26,100 to be eligible.
Additionally, the Home Office has eliminated the Immigration Salary List, which previously offered exemptions or discounts for certain job roles, thereby further narrowing the path for foreign workers. From now on, foreign job seekers must possess university-level qualifications and will only be allowed entry if they are recruited into sectors experiencing persistent long-term shortages. Employers hoping to hire internationally must also demonstrate genuine investment in training British workers.
Although the government acknowledged that the earlier wage hikes caused a decline in visas across skill levels, it insists that the quality of migrant labour remains lower than historical standards and that the new reforms aim to correct that imbalance.
Care Worker Visa Route to be Phased Out by 2028
Perhaps the most controversial element of the new policy is the government’s plan to gradually eliminate the care worker visa pathway, which has allowed tens of thousands of foreign nationals to work in the UK’s struggling social care sector.
Officials claim that the care visa scheme, originally intended to address staffing crises, has led to an overreliance on foreign labour for what the government considers “low-skilled” roles. As a result, the care worker visa route will be closed to new applicants by 2028, a move expected to cut up to 50,000 visas annually.
During this transition period, existing visa holders can continue to extend their stay. Sponsors who have had their licenses cancelled will be allowed to recruit from the pool of over 10,000 migrants already in the UK under the care worker route. Meanwhile, a new “workforce strategy” will be developed to ensure more domestic hiring in the sector before the 2028 deadline.
Tighter Student Visa Regulations and New Financial Burdens
The reforms also impose stricter regulations on international students, particularly targeting the institutions that accept them. Colleges and universities that rely on overseas recruitment must now enrol in a mandatory “quality framework” that ensures students meet higher standards.
Universities must also evaluate and document the local impact of enrolling international students before offering them admission. The government is considering a 6% levy on all tuition income generated from foreign students—a move that could force institutions to rethink their international recruitment strategies.
In another significant shift, the length of time international graduates can remain in the UK after completing their studies will be reduced from two years to 18 months, limiting opportunities for post-study employment.
Family Visa Requirements Set to Be Toughened
The Home Office plans to overhaul its approach to family reunification as well. A new family migration policy will be announced by the end of the year, affecting British citizens, settled migrants, and refugees alike.
Applicants seeking to bring family members to the UK will need to demonstrate clear and genuine relationships, sufficient English language skills, and the financial means to support dependents without relying on public funds. Authorities will tighten financial requirements for all dependent visa categories, broadening their scope beyond the current rules.
Some exceptions will remain. For example, individuals who have served in the Armed Forces and their families will retain the right to reside and obtain British citizenship. The Migration Advisory Committee has also been tasked with reviewing the financial thresholds for family migration routes and offering proposals for further reforms.
Moreover, the government aims to reduce the number of legal challenges that cite Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights—the right to a family life—as a way to avoid deportation. New legislation will seek to reinforce Parliament’s authority in determining who can stay in the UK, effectively challenging the court’s broad interpretation of “exceptional” cases.
Increased Costs and Pressure for Employers
The reforms will also place heavier financial and strategic burdens on UK employers. The Immigration Skills Charge, a mandatory fee paid by companies sponsoring foreign employees, will increase by 32%. This move is designed to encourage firms to invest more heavily in domestic talent pipelines rather than relying on international recruitment.
Sectors with historically high dependence on foreign labour will be required to develop and submit workforce strategies demonstrating efforts to train UK residents for these roles.
To account for some flexibility, a Temporary Shortage List will be introduced, allowing certain less-skilled jobs to access the points-based immigration system if the Migration Advisory Committee certifies a genuine need.
Additionally, displaced individuals and refugees who possess marketable skills will be eligible to apply for work in the UK under the skilled worker scheme. The government also plans to open more pathways for highly skilled professionals in priority sectors.
Crackdown on Illegal Immigration and Border Enforcement
To complement the legal reforms, the Home Office intends to expand its enforcement efforts against illegal immigration. Officials will invest in modern technologies such as biometric identification and electronic visas (eVisas) while ramping up the number of site inspections and enforcement operations.
The government has defended these new immigration rules as essential for restoring public trust and regaining control over the UK’s borders. Officials claim that between 2019 and 2023, net migration quadrupled, proving that the previous system was failing. These latest proposals, they argue, are a necessary reset.
Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders
While the government presents these changes as a necessary course correction, reactions from various sectors have been largely critical. Charities and advocacy groups argue that cutting off access to care worker visas will exacerbate staffing shortages in the already overburdened health and social care sectors.
Meanwhile, business leaders warn that the rising costs and bureaucratic hurdles associated with hiring from abroad could damage productivity and stifle innovation, especially in high-demand fields such as technology, engineering, and research.
Education institutions, too, are raising alarms about the potential loss of revenue from foreign students—a demographic that has historically subsidised domestic tuition and helped fund academic research.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Shift in UK Immigration Policy
The UK’s new immigration blueprint represents one of the most consequential shake-ups in decades. From higher salary thresholds and skills requirements to the closure of visa routes and increased enforcement, the reforms aim to cut migration numbers while forcing sectors to rely more heavily on domestic talent.
However, the long-term economic and social consequences remain uncertain. With concerns rising about labour shortages, university funding, and the UK’s global competitiveness, the true test of these policies will lie in their real-world implementation and impact.
