The United Kingdom’s immigration landscape is undergoing significant transformations in 2025, introducing new regulations that impact various visa categories and compliance requirements. These changes are designed to prioritize domestic recruitment, prevent worker exploitation, and streamline immigration processes.
Effective April 9, 2025, care providers in England are required to prioritize recruitment from individuals already residing in the UK under the Skilled Worker visa route before considering international hires. Sponsors must obtain confirmation from the relevant regional partnership that domestic recruitment efforts have been exhausted.
The minimum salary threshold for health and care workers under the Skilled Worker visa will also increase to £25,000. This adjustment reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation and attracting skilled professionals to the sector.
Enforcement measures have also intensified, with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) adopting a stricter approach to sponsor compliance. In 2024, 513 Skilled Worker sponsor licenses were revoked by the third quarter, surpassing the total of 377 revocations in all of 2023. This trend underscores the importance of adherence to sponsorship obligations.
Sponsors are prohibited from passing certain sponsorship costs to skilled workers. This measure aims to address concerns about work-related debt and exploitation. The specific fees that cannot be transferred to employees include:
While these prohibitions are in place, other immigration-related costs, such as visa application fees, Home Office commercial partner service charges, and the Immigration Health Surcharge, may still be recouped by the employer.
The ETA serves as travel authorization for entering the United Kingdom, functioning similarly to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). It applies to visa-exempt visitors traveling to the UK for tourism, transit, business, visiting family and friends, or short-term study.
Additionally, it covers individuals arriving for up to three months under the Creative Worker visa concession or those engaging in permitted paid activities. As of April 9, the ETA application fee will increase from £10 to £16.
Beginning April 2025, all travelers to the UK (excluding British and Irish nationals) must obtain either an ETA or an eVisa.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is not a visa and does not provide permission to live or work in the United Kingdom. Visitors remain subject to UK visitor visa regulations and must adhere to these rules during their stay. Anyone intending to work in the UK must secure the appropriate visa before traveling.
The Home Office has announced fee increases for various visa categories, effective April 9, 2025. Notable changes include:
Applicants should plan accordingly to accommodate these increased costs.
The UK is transitioning to a digital immigration system, phasing out physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). By the end of 2025, most visa holders will have a digital status linked to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This change aims to simplify the verification process for businesses, government departments, and individuals.
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) holders are encouraged to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa, and those with ink stamps or vignette stickers can also transition to a digital eVisa. A UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account is an online account that allows you to access and manage your UK immigration status, including your eVisa, and is part of the UK’s transition to a digital eVisa system.
These policy changes underscore the UK’s commitment to refining its immigration framework. Applicants must ensure they meet the updated eligibility criteria and financial requirements.
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