Starting January 2026, the UK government will enforce stricter immigration and student visa regulations, requiring migrants applying for work visas to prove A-level (B2) English proficiency. The change marks an upgrade from the previous GCSE-level (B1) requirement and will apply to applicants under the skilled worker, scale-up, and high potential individual (HPI) visa categories. In addition, from January 2027, international students will face a reduced period of 18 months to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies, down from the current two-year allowance. The measures are expected to heavily impact Indian nationals, who make up the largest group of migrants to the UK, with nearly 250,000 arrivals in 2023 primarily for employment and education.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the existing situation as “unacceptable,” stating that migrants must possess sufficient English skills to effectively contribute to British society. She emphasised that language proficiency plays a crucial role in integration and participation in national life. The new rules will require visa applicants to pass Home Office-approved tests assessing reading, writing, speaking, and listening at a B2 level — equivalent to A-level English. This initiative comes amid rising political pressure and criticism of current immigration policies, as recent reports indicate that about one in ten UK residents born overseas struggle to communicate in English, with nearly 138,000 unable to speak the language at all.
Under these new visa conditions, migrants must also work for government-approved employers and earn at least £41,700 annually or meet the “going rate” for their job category, whichever is higher. According to Home Office projections, these tighter measures could reduce annual immigration numbers by up to 100,000. The government argues that the reforms aim to ensure migrants arriving in the UK are linguistically equipped and economically beneficial, rather than adding pressure to domestic job markets.
Furthermore, beginning in January 2027, international graduates will see their post-study work visa period shortened to 18 months, a policy shift that significantly affects non-EU students, particularly those from India. The financial threshold for international students has also been raised, requiring proof of funds amounting to £1,171 per month outside London — an increase from £1,136 — for up to nine months of study.
The government has also proposed the first increase in the Immigration Skills Charge since 2017. Employers sponsoring foreign workers will now face a 32% hike, with small businesses and charities paying £480 per worker annually, and medium to large organisations charged £1,320 — up from £364 and £1,000, respectively. These financial adjustments, combined with the tougher language criteria, signal the government’s intention to reduce dependency on foreign labour while maintaining stricter immigration oversight.
Experts, however, have expressed growing concern about the implications of these changes. Dr. Madeleine Sumption from Oxford University’s Migration Observatory remarked that while the goal of improving English proficiency is understandable, it poses a trade-off between language standards and employers’ ability to recruit needed workers. She noted that many sectors reliant on middle-skilled or technical labour could struggle to fill roles if stricter English proficiency becomes a barrier.
Immigration lawyer Afsana Akhtar also criticised the new benchmark as “unfair,” arguing that even many native English speakers might fail to meet an A-level standard. She cautioned that such a policy could disqualify capable professionals from contributing to the British economy. Despite this criticism, the government appears firm in its position, signalling that further English language requirements could soon be expanded to other visa categories and dependent family members as part of a broader immigration reform agenda.
