Immigration Rules Changes Impacting UK HEIs and Sponsors

Last year, the UK Government published the Immigration White Paper “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System” (May 2025), signalling a clear policy direction towards tighter controls and reduced net migration. That direction is now being formally embedded through the Statement of Changes (HC 1333), with most measures taking effect from 11 November 2025, giving legal force to many of the proposals outlined in the White Paper.

For UK Higher Education Institutions, these immigration rule changes represent a further tightening of the education-migration framework and a clear reminder that compliance metrics and sponsor performance are under increased scrutiny.

Key changes impacting international students and sponsors include:

Student Route – Updated Financial Requirements

• £1,529 per month for study in London (up to 9 months), increased from £1,438

• £1,171 per month for study outside London (up to 9 months), increased from £1,136

Child Student Route – Guardianship and Care Arrangements

• Amendments provide clarity following ambiguities created by transitional rules introduced in May 2025.

Graduate Route – Reduced Post-Study Leave

• As signalled in the White Paper, the Graduate route will reduce from 2 years to 18 months for most applicants applying on or after 1 January 2027.

• PhD graduates will continue to receive 3 years of leave.

Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) – New Metrics

• Visa refusal rate reduced to 5% (previously 10%)

• Enrolment rate increased to 95% (previously 90%)

• Course completion rate increased to 90% (previously 85%)

  
  

What this means for institutions/student sponsors?

These changes reinforce the shift towards a risk-based, data-driven compliance environment. Recruitment strategies, admissions decision-making, CAS issuance, and ongoing student engagement must now be even more closely aligned with institutional risk appetite and sponsor licence protection.

Compliance is no longer reactive—it is strategic. Institutions that invest in robust monitoring systems, cross-functional collaboration, and early risk intervention will be best placed to remain compliant while continuing to recruit responsibly and sustainably.