UK Demands Higher English Proficiency for Visas and Permanent Residency

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The UK is tightening immigration rules and raising English language requirements. Authorities are increasing the language level for work visas, as well as for spouses and dependents. The new regulations will also apply to applications for indefinite leave to remain, reports The Economic Times.

The Home Office stated it is revising the immigration system and introducing stricter rules to help newcomers adapt faster and participate in society. Officials emphasize that strong language skills will improve workplace productivity, facilitate community involvement, and reduce integration barriers.

Key changes affect the Skilled Worker visa: applicants must now demonstrate B2 level English instead of B1. This means candidates should be able to handle business meetings, conduct complex negotiations, prepare formal correspondence, and take part in detailed discussions, rather than limiting themselves to everyday communication.

For family visas, including spouses, partners, and adult dependents, English proficiency will be required from the point of entry for the first time. The system sets out a gradual increase in level: starting with A1, then A2 upon extension, and B2 when applying for indefinite leave to remain. Thus, the requirements for permanent residency are being tightened and brought closer to the standards set for skilled professionals under the Skilled Worker visa.

Applicants are advised to prepare in advance for Home Office–approved exams and to incorporate language learning into their plans. It is important that all documents comply with the new rules, as the changes affect new applications and directly impact long-term strategies for both families and professionals.

The stricter rules reflect a broader reform plan set out in the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system. It was published in May 2025. The document proposes reducing the list of professions eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, as well as scrapping the exemption that allowed the recruitment of foreign social care workers. It also highlights raising language requirements for migrant partners and extending the minimum residency period for permanent status from five to ten years.

The initiative to lengthen the residency requirement sparked negative reactions among employers and professionals. The care sector is expected to be hit hardest, as nursing homes rely heavily on foreign staff. Pharmaceuticals and hospitality are also at risk: higher costs and a raised salary threshold for visas create barriers for companies, especially smaller ones. A workforce outflow is expected. In the insurance industry, forecasts point to the loss of hundreds of thousands of employees by the mid-2030s, while highly skilled workers increasingly consider other, more predictable markets.

At the same time, the government stresses that it is not shutting the door on professionals. London is ready to expand channels such as Global Talent and High Potential to maintain the country’s competitiveness in the global talent race, despite tougher conditions for most migrants.

Foreign students will also be affected. The government is considering introducing a tax on university income from international tuition fees. It also plans to tighten licensing rules for institutions authorized to sponsor student visas and to cut the validity of the Graduate visa from two years to 18 months.

Most of the changes can be introduced directly by amending immigration rules. However, the university tax and the revision of the naturalization process will require separate parliamentary approval. Debates are scheduled for the autumn. In addition, consultations on reforming indefinite leave to remain are set to take place later this year.

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