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UK tightens work visa rules, Indian immigrants among most affected
The government has also proposed further reforms for later this year, including a rise in the Immigration Skills Charge, tighter English language requirements, and more
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 22, Jul 2025
- 14:19 EDT
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Representative Image. / Canva
The UK government launched the first phase of its sweeping immigration overhaul on July 22, introducing tougher job eligibility and salary thresholds for foreign workers.
While the new rules apply to all non-UK nationals, Indian immigrants—who make up the largest group of skilled workers and international students—are expected to be among the most significantly affected.
Also Read: Global immigration curbs narrow paths for Indian students and workers
Under the revised Skilled Worker visa route, only occupations that meet the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6—equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree—are now eligible for sponsorship.
This move disqualifies more than 180 roles from visa sponsorship, including many in the care, hospitality, and logistics sectors that are heavily reliant on Indian workers. Popular roles such as care assistants, chefs, and delivery supervisors will no longer qualify unless a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued before July 21.
The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has also been raised from £38,700 (approx. $50,000) to £41,700 (approx. $53,800) per year. This new salary benchmark will also apply to applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the UK’s permanent residency status—even for migrants who entered under earlier rules.
Transitional provisions remain in place for those already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. They will be allowed to extend their stay, change jobs, or apply for settlement under the terms of the previous rules. However, all new applications from July 22 onwards must comply with the stricter eligibility criteria.
Impact on Indian workers and students
Indian nationals have been at the centre of the UK’s migration flows in recent years. In 2023 alone, they received the highest number of Skilled Worker and Graduate Route visas. The UK is also among the most popular destinations for Indian students, thousands of whom stay on under the Graduate Visa route after completing their education.
That route has now been shortened—from two years to 18 months—as part of a broader clampdown. Institutions that fail to meet sponsorship compliance standards may also face curbs on international student enrolments.
While the changes are not targeted at any specific nationality, Indian migrants—especially those in non-degree sectors or with lower starting salaries—are expected to be disproportionately affected.
The government has also proposed further reforms for later this year, including a rise in the Immigration Skills Charge, tighter English language requirements, and more restrictive family visa rules. One major shift under consultation is a new “earned settlement” framework, which could extend the ILR qualification period from five to ten years for most Skilled Workers. Only limited groups—such as partners of British citizens, victims of domestic abuse, and certain EU nationals—are currently exempt from the proposed 10-year requirement.
Legal and practical implications
Most of the new rules were enacted through Statements of Changes to Immigration Rules—a legislative mechanism that does not require a parliamentary vote unless actively opposed within 40 days. This allows the government to fast-track reforms without lengthy debates.
Employers are now under pressure to review their sponsorship processes, issue any pending CoS before the deadline, and revise salary offers to retain international talent. Legal experts are urging both employers and migrants to seek timely guidance, especially for roles on the margins of eligibility.
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