Care Worker Ban, Visa Changes: UK Immigration Reforms Start July 22

The United Kingdom is officially rolling out the first phase of its immigration reforms starting today, July 22, 2025. These changes stem from the immigration white paper titled Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, which lays out a tough new direction for how people can move to and settle in the UK.

If you’re a foreign worker, student, sponsor, or employer, here’s a breakdown of what changes immediately, and what’s still on the horizon.

Key Immigration Changes Starting July 22

1. Skilled Worker Occupation List Gets Smaller

From today, employers can no longer sponsor overseas workers for roles classed as medium-skilled (RQF levels 3–5), unless the role gets a specific exception from the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee.

This dramatically narrows the pool of sponsor-eligible jobs, cutting out a range of occupations that previously qualified. This list will remain in effect through the end of 2026.

2. Ban on Overseas Recruitment for Care Workers

Effective immediately, employers cannot hire care workers from overseas under the Skilled Worker visa route.

If you’re already working in the UK as a care worker and were sponsored before July 22, you’re safe. Current visa holders won’t be affected. But no new applications for care worker roles from abroad will be accepted.

3. Student Visa Rule Tightening on the Way

While not effective yet, several education-focused reforms are lined up:

• Stricter compliance checks on universities sponsoring international students.
• A proposed levy on income earned from foreign student tuition fees (will need parliamentary approval).
• The Graduate visa period will shrink from 2 years to 18 months.
• Higher English language standards expected by the end of the year—for both students and dependents.

These moves aim to reduce abuse and shift the focus back to high-skilled, long-term migration.

4. Ten-Year Wait for ILR Under Review

One of the more controversial proposals is to extend the qualifying time for permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) from five years to ten years.

🟡 This isn’t law yet, it’s still under consultation.

The Home Office is also proposing a new “earned settlement route,” where earlier settlement could be granted to those who significantly contribute to the UK’s economy and society. But the fine print? Still TBD.

Groups likely to be exempt from this extended wait:

• Spouses and partners of British citizens
• Victims of domestic abuse
• EU citizens under the Settlement Scheme

No word yet on whether routes like the Hong Kong BN(O) or Skilled Worker visas will be included. Consultations are expected later this year.

5. Not All Changes Need Parliament’s Approval

Here’s the thing: most of these reforms can be pushed through via changes to immigration rules, which don’t require a full parliamentary vote.

Unless Parliament formally objects within 40 days (which rarely happens), the rules become law automatically. Only proposals like the tuition levy or changes to citizenship laws will require full legislation and voting.

What This Means for You

If you’re planning to move to the UK for work or study, or if you’re already here and nearing the five-year mark for settlement, this is your wake-up call.

• Care workers should act fast if considering UK migration; the door is now shut to new applicants.
• Employers must adjust hiring plans, especially those relying on medium-skilled roles.
• Students and sponsors should brace for tougher rules by the end of 2025.
• Migrants already on a route to ILR should track consultations closely; the ten-year rule could still affect them.

Final Take

The UK’s immigration system is shifting toward tighter controls, fewer sponsored roles, and longer pathways to settlement. While today’s changes are just the first step, the direction is clear: less migration, more scrutiny, and a preference for local hiring.

Watch this space, because if you’re looking to live, work, or study in the UK, the rules are changing fast.