From today, migrants seeking employment in the UK will be required to attain an A-level standard of English proficiency, according to a new regulation. Applicants following specific legal pathways must demonstrate competence equivalent to A-level in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
To meet this requirement, individuals will need to undergo a Secure English Language Test administered by an official provider approved by the Home Office. The results of this test will be a crucial component of their visa application process.
This development is part of a broader effort to enhance visa regulations outlined in the Labour Party’s Immigration White Paper. Additionally, changes are set to reduce the time frame for international students to secure a graduate-level job post-studies from two years to 18 months, effective January 2027.
Moreover, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), paid by employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers, is increasing. The fee will rise from £364 to £480 annually per individual for small or charitable organizations and from £1,000 to £1,320 for medium to large organizations. Revenues generated from this charge will be reinvested in training the UK’s local workforce.
The ISC hike, the first since 2017, aims to bolster investments in British workers and diminish dependency on overseas recruitment, as stated by the Home Office. The process to implement this fee adjustment will commence later this week.
Furthermore, prospective students must fulfill heightened financial prerequisites to enter the UK, with the threshold raised to £1,171 monthly outside London (previously £1,136) for a maximum of nine months.
In a statement, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the importance of migrants integrating into society by learning the English language. Effective January 8, 2026, the English language requirement for Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual (HPI), and Scale-up visa routes will rise from B1 to B2 level. Similar language standards for other visa categories, including dependents, will be introduced subsequently, according to the Home Office.
The HPI route, tailored for graduates from the top 100 international universities, will undergo expansion to attract highly skilled individuals to the UK as part of the government’s strategic recruitment efforts.
