The Immigration Advent Calendar
The Home Office’s Statement of Changes (HC 1333), published on 14 October 2025, introduces wide-ranging reforms that will reshape the UK immigration system over the coming months. These start to roll out some measures which were announced in the Immigration White Paper of May this year. Key measures take effect from 7 November 2025, 11 November 2025 and 1 January 2026, affecting visitors, workers, students and families.
Key changes and implementation dates
Already introduced: fee increases
The sponsor licence priority processing application fee (5 working days): increased from £500 to £750 per applicant. The Sponsor Change of Circumstances fee increased from £200 to £350 per request. Both were introduced on 22nd October.
Ongoing: right-to-work
There is currently a six-week consultation about the expansion of right-to-work checks
7 November 2025 – Visitor & Student Routes
Nationals of Botswana will now need a UK visit visa, and the ETA route will close.
The Graduate route reduces to 18 months for non-PhD holders, while students will be able to switch to the Innovator Founder route from within the UK.
11 November 2025 – New Part Suitability
Part Suitability replaces Part 9 of the Immigration rules. This will create a single set of refusal and cancellation criteria across all visa types, allowing wider powers to refuse where there are past breaches, NHS debts or historic convictions.
16th December – Immigration Skills Charge increase
The government will raise the Immigration Skills Charge by 32% , increasing costs for employers sponsoring Skilled Workers and GBM visa holders. Large sponsors will need to pay £1,320 per year. Sponsors should plan new hires and assign Certificates of Sponsorship before the higher fees take effect.
Later in 2025 – Settlement Changes
A consultation exercise on increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria yet to be decided.
8 January 2026 – English-language threshold rises
The minimum English level for several work and family categories will increase from B1 to B2 (upper-intermediate). Applicants who only meet B1 should aim to apply before year-end.
What applicants and sponsors need to watch out for
Important messages for sponsors from this flurry of immigration changes are that the criteria for sponsorship become tougher, the process will be more expensive and, aside from these changes, the Home Office is seeking to enforce compliance like never before. It’s a highly negative message and once which may require serious revision of many organisations’ recruitment strategy.
Important specific issues to note are:
- Expanded refusal powers under Part Suitability may affect those with past overstays or minor convictions.
- Raising the English threshold could disqualify applicants who do not meet B2.
- Employers face higher sponsorship costs already, which will increase again from December.
How we can help
At Spencer West, we are already advising clients to:
- fast-track applications ahead of the deadlines
- plan sponsorships strategically to minimise future costs
- review potential suitability risks
For guidance on how these changes may affect your business or individual application, please contact our team:
