UK introduces visa break for student applicants under new immigration rules
The UK government is set to implement a visa break later this month, affecting student and skilled worker visa applications from certain countries, in a move experts say could have notable consequences for education providers and employers.
Under the new rules, student visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan will be refused from 26 March onwards. Similarly, skilled worker visa applications from Afghan nationals will also be refused after this date. Applications submitted before the cut-off will continue to be considered. The government has confirmed that the visa break is temporary and will undergo regular review.
Shara Pledger, an immigration law expert at Pinsent Masons, highlighted the potential impact on UK institutions. βThe changes to the skilled worker route are fairly modest, only affecting first-time applicants from Afghanistan. However, the student visa changes are more significant and could impact institutions that recruit high numbers of students from the affected countries,β she explained.
In addition to the visa break, the service supplier route is being revised under the new UK-India trade agreement. Eligible Indian nationals will be allowed to stay in the UK for up to 12 months, and the qualifying overseas employment period for seconded workers is being reduced from 12 months to six months, giving companies more flexibility to bring skilled workers on high-value contracts.
The government is also increasing English language requirements for settlement in the UK, raising the standard from B1 to B2 for routes including skilled worker, global talent, innovator founder, and long residence applications. These changes will take effect in March 2027, allowing applicants ample time to prepare for higher-level testing.
Finally, the government will enable applicants to reuse identity confirmation for multiple immigration applications, reducing the need for repeated visits to Visa and Citizenship Application Service centres.
Pledger welcomed these measures, noting, βThe delay in implementing higher English language requirements is helpful for applicants. The ability to reuse identity data is also a positive development, as secure digital checks will reduce the need for repeated in-person visits.β
News Source: Pinsentmasons
LawSentisβ viewpoint
LawSentis notes that the visa break and rule changes will impact students and employers, but the delayed English language updates and ability to reuse identity checks are positive steps. We advise affected applicants and institutions to stay informed and seek guidance to navigate the new rules smoothly.