Under new government rules set to take effect on 8 January 2026, some migrants coming to the UK will be required to demonstrate A-level standard English proficiency. The changes will affect graduates and applicants for Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and High Potential Individual (HPI) visas – categories aimed at skilled professionals and individuals joining fast-growing UK businesses.
These measures are part of the government’s broader plan to reduce immigration levels, first introduced in a May 2025 white paper.
The policy forms part of the government’s plan to reduce overall immigration, first presented in a May 2025 white paper.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said, “If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part. This country has always welcomed those who contribute, but it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life.”
Migrants will now take in-person tests in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at Home Office-approved centres. Visa officers will check these test results as part of the application process.
The new rules raise the English proficiency standard from B1 (GCSE level) to B2 (A-level standard). According to the British Council, learners at B2 level can understand complex ideas, express themselves fluently, and write detailed texts on many subjects.
Visa Categories Affected
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Skilled Worker Visa: Applicants must work for a Home Office-approved employer and earn at least £41,700 per year, or the going rate for their profession, whichever is higher.
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Scale-up Visa: Designed for migrants joining rapidly growing UK businesses.
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High Potential Individual Visa: Open to those who graduated within the past five years from a top global university.
Further English language rules for other visa routes and family dependants are expected to follow, according to Home Office Minister Mike Tapp.
The Prime Minister said the reforms aim to make the UK’s immigration system “controlled, selective and fair.” The Home Office estimates these measures could reduce migration by up to 100,000 people per year.
In 2024, net migration — total arrivals minus departures – dropped to 431,000, nearly half the 2023 total of 906,000, which had reached a record high.
Expert Reactions
Dr Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, noted the government faces a “trade-off” between ensuring migrants have strong English skills and allowing employers to hire workers who contribute economically. She added that while many graduate roles already require higher language proficiency, the new rules may impact middle-skilled jobs in technical and manual sectors.
Immigration lawyer Afsana Akhtar criticised the policy, arguing that requiring A-level English is “unfair” since “even many people in the UK probably wouldn’t be able to pass English A-level.” She suggested that a GCSE-level standard should remain sufficient, as migrants’ English naturally improves through integration.
Other Immigration Policy Updates
The white paper also introduced other major immigration reforms:
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The post-study work period for international graduates will be shortened from two years to 18 months, starting January 2027.
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Financial requirements for students will increase to £1,171 per month outside London (up from £1,136) for up to nine months.
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The Global Talent Visa will expand to include winners of additional prestigious international prizes.
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The Immigration Skills Charge – paid by UK employers sponsoring foreign workers – will rise to £480 per year for small organisations or charities and £1,320 for medium and large organisations, up from £364 and £1,000 respectively.
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The High Potential Individual (HPI) route will also expand, doubling the number of migrants from 2,000 to 4,000, with an annual cap of 8,000 applications.
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