Latest Changes in the UK Immigration Rules: March 2025 Update

A significant change to the UK immigration rules has been introduced by the UK Home Office, as outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 733). The amendments presented on 12th March 2025 at the Parliament will impact several visa categories, including student visas, visit visas, skilled worker routes and humanitarian schemes. Let’s check out the latest changes in the UK immigration rules and how they apply to policymakers, applicants, and businesses.

Key Changes in the UK Immigration Rules

1.     UK Visit Visa Requirement for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals

The UK has introduced new visit visa requirements for Trinidad and Tobago nationals to control the rapidly increasing number of asylum claims and to prevent the violation of UK immigration rules. The citizens from Trinidad and Tobago were previously eligible for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, the new amendment demands that these individuals obtain a visa before travel, with a minimum transition period of six weeks for those with confirmed travel bookings.

2.      Update to Ukraine Schemes

Both the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine (HfU) Scheme are affected by the latest changes in the UK immigration laws.

• The latest UPE scheme includes provisions for children under 18 who were previously granted Leave outside the Rules (LOTR).

• The HfU scheme has aligned the definition of ‘parent’ with broader immigration policies.

• New updates are made to the eligibility process for sponsors to ensure compliance with immigration rules.

3.      Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Significant administrative clarifications regarding the EUSS were introduced by the UK government. They are;

• Non-EEA nationals are eligible to use expired biometric residence cards (up to 18 months old) for their identification.

• Ensuring that individuals with pending administrative reviews are not removed from the UK.

• Individuals who became EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens after 31 December 2020 are not eligible to sponsor family members.

4.      Exemptions for French School Groups and British Nationals (Overseas)

• No ETA is required for children under the age of 18 to visit the UK as part of a French school group.

• Overseas British nationals are exempt from the ETA requirement, which has reversed a previous mandate.

5.      Skilled Worker Route Adjustments

• Employers are required to hire from the existing pool of care workers in the UK before any international recruitments.

The change in this policy supports professionals and care workers in the UK who have lost their sponsorship. So, employers must make efforts to hire from the available pool of employees before new international recruits. Anyway, the amendment only applies to care jobs in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are unaffected by this change in UK immigration laws.

So, this change in the law helps care workers access better job opportunities. Meanwhile, it may reduce the volume of international hiring, impacting those looking to migrate to the UK.

• £23,200 to £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour) is the latest minimum salary threshold.

The salary updates are made based on the data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. The updated salary scale ensures that it aligns with UK wages and remains above the National Living Wage, which is also expected to increase in April 2025. So, employers must make changes to the salary offers to meet UK regulations.

The change in the salary scale demands skilled worker visa applicants to meet the latest threshold to qualify for sponsorship. The amendment may affect some jobs that previously met the threshold, where those opportunities will not be available anymore.

• The amendments in the salary deductions guarantee fair compensation and prevent applicants from indirectly funding their employment.

The amendment ensures a worker’s take-home salary will not be affected unfairly by the salary deductions. Also, employers cannot demand employees for sponsorship costs or any other recruit-related expenses.

The change protects migrant workers from unethical recruitment practices and ensures fair compensation. Employers are to revise their financial structure to comply with the latest UK immigration rules.

6.      Student Visa Changes

• Applicants' commitment to the courses selected for their studies is verified with a new ‘genuine intention to study’ rule.

• PhD students following their supervisors to a different institution can extend their stay without leaving the UK as they are exempt from Academic Progress Requirements.

7.      Global talent and prestigious Prizes Amendments

Additional documents are required to endorse the Global Talent visa route.

• CV to assess career progression

• Applicants are required to submit letters of support from individuals or organisations where the applicant has worked.

• Relevance and credibility are ensured by updating the list of eligible prestigious prizes.

8.      Annual Quota Updates for Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)

Significant revisions on the YMS partner countries have been made in 2025 to reflect the UK’s ongoing international commitments to cultural exchange programmes.

Other Notable Amendments

• Changes in Child Student Safeguarding: The safety of international students is ensured by strengthening regulations.

• Administrative Review Updates: Streamlined procedures for error corrections and application validity rules.

• Public Funds and Benefits Adjustments: Consistency across the UK is ensured by including the Scottish Social Security benefits under public funds.

• Elimination of Physical Immigration Documents: Transition to eVisas as the UK phases out biometric residence permits.

For Businesses and Employers

• Updated salary and sponsorship regulations demand adjusted hiring practices for care workers and skilled professionals.

• The entry of high-calibre professionals into the UK workforce is ensured by the updated Global Talent Visa process.

For Policymakers and Public Sectors

• To prevent the violation of immigration rules and to manage asylum claims, strict visa regulations are introduced.

• Efficiency and security are ensured with the transition to digital immigration documents.

The UK immigration rules have undergone significant changes. The latest changes introduced in March 2025 will impact students, travellers and business owners equally. The UK immigration rules have raised concern over the violation of immigration rules and have brought several changes to prevent it. The new amendments also demand businesses to use the maximum human resources available in the UK before going for international recruitment. The latest visa rule update also ensures the entry of genuine international students to the UK, their continuous studies, and security. Apart from that, the amendment demands that the visa be processed digitally for efficiency and security. Even though the latest changes in the immigration visa rules of the UK bring strict criteria at some phases, they ensure the immigration of genuine applicants to the country.