Further changes to the immigration system announced
The UK government has announced further changes to the immigration system to implement more measures outlined in the Immigration White Paper (IWP).
Several changes have been announced, some of which will have an impact on the NHS, including the recruitment and ongoing employment of individuals who require Home Office documentation to live and work in the UK.
These changes include:
- SOC 6131: The language regarding SOC 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) will be updated. Previously, for purposes of the Immigration Salary List, SOC 6131 only applied in environments where registered nurse roles exist. This will be revised to environment where a registered nurse or other registered health care professional roles exist.
- Immigration Skills Charge increase: For applications on or after 16 December 2025, the Immigrations Skills Charge will increase by 32 per cent to £1,320 per person per year.
- English language requirements: For new applications on or after 8 January 2026, the English language requirements have been raised from B1 to B2 for Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual (HPI), and Scale Up Visas.
- Graduate Visa reform: For applications on or after 1 January 2027, the length of sponsorship for graduate visas will reduce from two years to 18 months. The length of a PhD Graduate Visa will remain at three years.
Other changes include enhancements to HPI and Global Talent Visas and suitability requirements for Family and Private Life Visas.
The Home Office has published a latest news on the announced changes to the Immigration Rules.
A full statement of changes to the Immigration Rules can be found on the GOV.UK website.
NHS Employers will be hosting a webinar covering the Immigration White Paper rule changes with the Home Office on Thursday 13 November. You can register for the webinar on the NHS Employers website.
If you have any questions regarding the immigration rule changes, please contact internationalrecruitment@nhsconfed.org
