The UK is tightening visa rules in 2025-2027: a more difficult English test, a shorter period of stay for students after their studies, higher financial requirements and increased fees for employers. Find out more about the changes to the UK visa policy in the coming years

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The UK is preparing for a major overhaul of its immigration system, which will affect skilled workers, students and employers. The government has announced new English language requirements, reduced periods of stay after study, higher financial standards and increased fees.

The changes to the UK’s immigration policy will apply to people from most countries in the world, including citizens of Nepal, Kenya, Turkmenistan and others.

The aim of these reforms is to ensure that only those who are ready to integrate into British society and make a real contribution to the economy come to the country.

Read about the key changes to the UK’s visa and immigration policy in 2025 in this article.

Before travelling to the UK, it is important to take out medical insurance that will cover emergency care, treatment and hospitalisation. This is not only a requirement for obtaining a visa, but also a guarantee of your safety while abroad.

Check out the insurance offers on the Visit World portal and choose the best policy for your trip, study or employment.

More difficult English language tests in the UK from 2026

From January 8, 2026, all applicants for a skilled worker visa will be required to take the Secure English Language Test (SELT), approved by the Home Office.

The new minimum language proficiency level is B2, which roughly corresponds to the A-Level standard and covers all skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood explained that the new requirements will help migrants “better integrate into British society and effectively carry out their role”.

From July 22, 2025, changes to immigration rules have already come into force in the United Kingdom, including increased qualification requirements, salary and new restrictions on dependents, more details at the link.

New charges for employers hiring foreign workers in the UK

Employers sponsoring foreign workers will now pay a higher Immigration Skills Charge (ISC):

- Small and charitable organisations: £480 (previously £364).

- Medium and large companies: £1,320 (previously £1,000).

The additional funds will go towards training British workers and reducing reliance on foreign labour.

We tell you about the most in-demand professions in the UK and the requirements for candidates in this article.

Planning to move to the UK for work? Save time and avoid common mistakes when completing paperwork.

Visit World’s “Working Guide” is a step-by-step guide for those who want to work legally abroad. You will receive detailed algorithms for submitting documents, examples of filling out questionnaires, tips for registering with local authorities and useful life hacks for adaptation.

Download the “Working Guide” to confidently go through the path from submitting an application to the first day of work in the UK.

Changes for students: reduced period of stay after graduation

One of the most noticeable innovations concerns the Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to remain in the UK after obtaining a degree.

From January 1, 2027, the period of stay after graduation will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months for most students, including citizens of Cameroon and Turkmenistan. After the 18-month period, graduates must either switch to a skilled worker visa or leave the country.

Only PhD graduates will retain the right to stay in the UK for up to three years.

Important! Those who apply for a visa before December 31, 2026, will be able to use the old conditions - a full two years of stay.

According to representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this innovation is due to the fact that many graduates did not occupy skilled positions after their studies, so the reform is designed to stimulate the transition to “graduate-level work”.

Rising tuition fees and financial requirements in the UK for international students

Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, students will need to prove a higher level of financial support:

- In London: £1,529 per month (instead of £1,483).

- Outside London: £1,171 per month (instead of £1,136).

The money must be in the account for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end date of the period is no older than 31 days before the application.

In addition, the cost of tuition for undergraduate students in the 2025/26 academic year in the UK has increased by 3.1% - from £9,250 to £9,535, making British education one of the most expensive in the world.

Important! Despite the tightening of rules, the demand for studying in the UK is not decreasing. In the first half of 2025, the number of student visas increased by 18% compared to the previous year, which shows the attractiveness of British universities even under stricter conditions.

Expansion of talent programs in the UK

The UK plans to double the number of universities whose graduates can apply for a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, increasing the annual quota to 8,000 places.

Reforms are also expected to the Global Talent program, which will open the door to leading professionals in the fields of science, design, film and television.

In addition, international students will be able to more easily transfer to the Innovator Founder program to start their own business without having to leave the country.

Dreaming of studying in the UK, but are lost in the requirements and documents?

The “Study Guide” from Visit World will help you understand every stage - from filling out a student application to going through an interview at a visa center. You will receive ready-made lists of documents, tips for newly arrived students and life hacks for a comfortable start to life in a new country.

Order the “Study Guide” to prepare for studying in the UK without stress and unnecessary expenses.

The new visa rules in the UK are an attempt to find a balance between immigration control and attracting talent. From 2026-2027, students, workers and employers will face higher requirements, higher costs and shorter periods of stay.

However, the UK remains one of the world's leading destinations for studying, working and living - with clear rules and high standards.

Let us remind you! From June 15, 2025, the UK officially switched to electronic visas for students and skilled workers from outside the EU. We have already told you how the new UKVI digital system works, who it applies to, how to create an account and avoid problems at the border.

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