Every year, millions of people want to visit the UK. It might be for an extended vacation, a medium-term working abroad stint, or they might even want to move over permanently. But things are a bit different this year.
The UK has higher qualification standards for immigrants, tighter digital border controls, and new salary thresholds that focus more strongly on how those who want to move there, whether it’s for the short term or long term, will contribute economically. Since the new Immigration White Paper was published late last year, the UK government has continued to roll out new reforms that affect prospective workers, students, employers, and tourists alike.
If you’re an applicant who’s planning a move to the UK in 2026, then this article’s for you. Preparation is probably more important now than ever, as even employers will need to change course and adapt their recruitment strategies in accordance with updated immigration rules.
Read: Journey Tourism Definition
Skilled Worker Visa Requirements Are Tighter
The skilled worker route is changing. As of this year, the UK government has increased the minimum skill threshold back up to RQF Level 6. Broadly speaking, this means that only jobs at the graduate level and above will be eligible for sponsorship, unless there are special exemptions or specific job roles are included in temporary shortage lists.
This marks a huge departure from the UK’s post-Brexit policy of allowing RQF Level 3 professions and above to be eligible for sponsorship. Because of this, jobs that were eligible beforehand via the Skilled Worker category might now need to be reassessed by employers before they can issue certificates of sponsorship.
On top of this, salary thresholds have increased. The majority of new Skilled Worker applicants, for instance, are now required to meet either the general salary threshold of £41,700 or the ‘going rate’ for a specific given occupation (whichever one is higher).
Spouse Visas Are Still More Confusing Than They Need to Be
The changes don’t stop there. Spouse visas now require a minimum income threshold of £29,000. What’s more, if couples are planning to apply under the ‘family’ route, then either the sponsoring partner or combined income must meet that same £29,000 figure, savings of £88,500 or more, or a combination of the two.
If you think you’ll need to combine the salary and savings, all you need to do is subtract the sponsor’s income from £29,000, then multiply that number by 2.5. The result will then be the amount you need to save to combine with the sponsor’s salary.
English language rules may also become stricter. As things currently stand, A1 English is required for the initial spouse visa, with a B1-level required for indefinite leave to remain. The government has announced that it is intending to increase the bar-to-entry for those who wish to stay permanently from the B1 to the B2 level.
Digital ‘eVisas’ are now replacing physical BRPs (biometric residence permits). Like a lot of other countries, the UK is moving closer toward digital immigration records. BRPs are being phased out and will be replaced with digital eVisas that are linked to online accounts. This should make the process quicker for a lot of people, as verification can be done simply online by employers and landlords.
Visa Fees Are Going Up
Soon, visas will be more difficult to obtain, not just because of new rules, but also because most of them will be flat out more expensive. For the vast majority of categories, prices will be increasing by 6.5% after April 2025.
Furthermore, employers who wish to sponsor individuals will be forced to face increasing financial burdens. Most notably, this includes the Immigration Skills Charge, which is a non-negotiable, non-transferable fee that employers must pay to sponsor and foreign workers that they want to employ. As of December last year, this fee increased to £1320 per year for large sponsors or £480 per year for small or nonprofit sponsors.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is another huge expense for applicants who want to make the move to the UK. It’s another mandatory fee that applicants must pay if they want to stay longer than six months; this comes in the form of visas that are longer than six months and any extensions they might apply for while in-country. It equates to £1035 per year, with a discounted rate available for students and under-18s for the price of £776.
Closing Thoughts
For anyone out there who might be interested in coming to the UK, before you take a look at the sites you want to see or research the best neighbourhoods, you absolutely need to research the ever-changing visa changes. Whether you’re coming for a bit of fun or are moving in with a partner, you’ll need to know if the shifting salary goalposts affect your chances of getting a skilled worker or spouse visa in the UK. Yes, the UK still welcomes international talent, but successful applications are becoming more difficult to obtain.
