Shara Pledger

Foreign nationals applying for a skilled worker, scale-up or High Potential Individual visa will be required to achieve a level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening English, which is one level up from the current expected B1 standard, equivalent to GCSE.

This change will take effect from 8 January 2026, maintaining the pre-existing requirement to be tested at a Home Office-approved provider and to have results verified as part of the visa application process.

The timing of the announcement – less than three months before the compulsory higher English language requirement comes into force – does not give applicants relocating to the UK for work much time to prepare. Applicants and employers are recommended to check the requirements carefully to ensure no delays with visa processing or refusals.

The new requirement will apply only to lead applicants making their first applications – and any subsequent extensions – but will not affect those that have already applied for working visas under the existing B1 requirement.

In another significant change, the period of time that international students are allowed to stay in the UK after completing either a bachelor’s or master’s level degree will be reduced from two years to 18 months, however, PhD students will still be allowed to stay in the UK for up to three years post-study.

Those currently enrolled in study or starting very soon can take comfort from learning that graduate applications made in 2025 and 2026 will continue to benefit from two years’ status but the change may impact applicants’ eligibility for some vacancies in the near future.

The new rules follow the publication of a government white paper in May which proposed a number of changes to reduce net migration in the UK. Although official data indicates the level of net migration to the UK decreased to 431,000 by the end of December 2024, the government says this figure is still significantly above historic levels and has been partly driven by an increase in overseas recruitment, particularly of lower-skilled workers.

To counter this trend, the government is aiming to double the number of people currently on the Global Talent route, which promotes skilled and high-achieving workers in specific fields including technology and academia.

The new rules also target entrepreneurial talent, with some changes taking effect almost immediately. From 25 November, international students that are currently studying at UK universities will be permitted to carry out self-employed activities once they have made an application for an Innovator Founder visa and it has been endorsed by an approved body, even if the application remains under consideration.

The government has also said that international students will be required to meet higher financial requirements from the 2025-26 academic year in a move that appears designed to reduce the number of international students applying to study at less prestigious universities.

Shara Pledger is a legal director and head of Pinsent Masons’ global immigration team