Key takeaways
New rules protect migrant workers’ pay
Employers can’t pass on sponsorship costs.
Care providers must prioritise displaced staff
Ethical recruitment now a legal requirement.
ETA scheme expands to more travellers
Short-stay visitors must apply before arrival.
The UK government introduced significant changes to its Immigration Rules last month. These updates impact various visa categories, including Skilled Worker routes, Visitor visas and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. The changes aim to enhance border security and streamline immigration processes.
Skilled Worker Route
Increased Salary Thresholds
The minimum salary threshold has been increased to £25,000 per year since 9 April 2025.
For healthcare and education roles that follow national pay scales, salary thresholds have also been updated in line with the latest pay agreements.
For non-health care roles, the minimum salary remains at £38,700 per year.
Changes to Salary deductions and sponsorship costs
Recent updates to the UK immigration rules have introduced new protections aims at ensuring fair treatment of Skilled Worker visa holders, particularly in relation to salary deductions and sponsorship expenses.
Under the new rules, stricter regulations have been put in place to prevent employers from making inappropriate salary deductions or passing sponsorship-related costs onto workers. These measures are designed to ensure that salaries remain genuine, transparent and free from indirect self-funding practices that could exploit migrant workers.
Employers cannot pass on the cost of sponsorship to Skilled Workers visa holders (directly or indirectly). This includes Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees, Immigration Skill Charges or legal or administrative costs tied to the sponsorship process. Salary deductions related to these costs are now strictly prohibited.
Visa application fees, third party fees (e.g VFS/TLS) and the Immigration Health Surcharge are not included for now.
New Care Worker Recruitment Requirement
A new recruitment requirement mandates that care providers in England must first consider ‘displaced workers’ i.e. international care staff already in the UK who have lost their sponsorship, before sponsoring new care workers. This measure aims to ensure ethical recruitment practices in the adult social care sector. Care providers must first engage with their Regional Care Partnerships to access the displaced worker pool and document their recruitment efforts accordingly.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Expansion
The ETA scheme now includes nationals from the European Union and several other countries. Visitors who do not require a visa for short stays (up to six months) must obtain an ETA before traveling to the UK. This digital authorisation costs £16 and is valid for multiple entries over two years or until the traveller’s passport expires. You can find our summary here.
Visa Requirements for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals
As of 12 March 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago are required to obtain a entry clearance to enter the UK, including for short visits and transits. This change aligns with the UK’s efforts to safeguard its immigration system.
Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Non-EEA nationals applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) can now use an UK Biometric Residence Permit that has expired by up to 18 months as proof of ID and nationality. The Rules have also clarified the position that individuals who became EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens after the end of the transition period cannot sponsor an EUSS family permit application.
UK Visa Fees Increased: breakdown
Category | New Fee |
|---|---|
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £525 |
Skilled Worker visa | |
Up to three years CoS (out of country) | £769 |
Over three years CoS (out of country) | £1,519 |
Up to three years CoS (in country) | £885 |
Over three years CoS (in country) | £1,751 |
Visitor Visa | |
6 months | £127 |
2 years | £475 |
5 years | £848 |
10 years | £1,059 |
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 |
British Citizenship (naturalisation) | £1,605 |
For the full list of UK visa fees, please refer here.
Conclusion
These changes reflect the UK’s ongoing efforts to refine its immigration system, maintain border security and ethical recruitment practices.
The UK Government’s long-awaited Immigration White Paper is still yet to be released, with its publication expected after the local elections this month. The White Paper is expected to outline a reformed approach to the UK’s immigration system with an alleged focus on reducing net migration while encouraging investment in domestic workforce training. As sectors brace for potential shifts, we are watching closely to see how the government plans to link migration policy with skills and the wider labour market.
