Migrants coming to the UK for work will soon be required to speak English to an A-level standard under new immigration rules set out by the government, in one of the most significant overhauls of the visa system in a decade.
The changes, due to take effect from 8 January 2026, will apply to applicants for skilled worker, scale-up, and high potential individual (HPI) visas, categories designed for professionals and graduates entering the UK labour market.
The move forms part of the government’s May 2025 immigration white paper, which aims to reduce net migration and tighten entry requirements for foreign workers.
‘If you come to this country, you must learn our language’
Unveiling the reforms, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that speaking fluent English was essential to successful integration and national cohesion.
“If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part,” Ms Mahmood said.
“This country has always welcomed those who contribute , but it is unacceptable for migrants to arrive unable to communicate or engage in our national life.”
Under the new system, applicants will need to demonstrate B2-level proficiency on the international English scale, equivalent to A-level standard — compared with the current B1 (GCSE-level) requirement.
Applicants must pass in-person tests in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at Home Office-approved centres, with results verified during the visa process.
Higher bar for skilled worker and scale-up visas
To qualify for a skilled worker visa, migrants will continue to need a job offer from a government-approved employer and a minimum salary of £41,700 a year, or the “going rate” for their profession, whichever is higher.
The scale-up visa targets those joining fast-growing UK businesses, while the HPI visa applies to graduates from leading global universities within the past five years.
The government said the enhanced English requirement will “ensure all those entering the UK to work can contribute fully to our society and economy”.
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According to the British Council, a B2-level speaker can “understand complex texts, express ideas fluently and spontaneously, and produce detailed written communication on a wide range of topics.”
Home Office Minister Mike Tapp told Parliament that additional language requirements for family dependants and other visa routes would be announced “in due course.”
The government estimates that the combined measures in the white paper could reduce annual immigration by up to 100,000 people.
Net migration fell to 431,000 in 2024, almost half the record 906,000 recorded in 2023.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the government’s strategy as creating a system that is “controlled, selective and fair.”
Mixed reactions from experts and employers
The announcement drew mixed reactions from immigration experts and business leaders.
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the change highlighted a “trade-off” between maintaining high language standards and meeting employers’ recruitment needs.
“Many graduate jobs already require English above A-level,” she said.
“The impact will be felt more in middle-skilled sectors involving technical or manual work, where strong English has not always been essential.”
Immigration lawyer Afsana Akhtar criticised the policy as “unfair and unrealistic,” arguing that many native English speakers would struggle to meet an A-level standard.
“This will rule out skilled workers who could contribute to the economy,” she said.
“GCSE-level English is sufficient — people improve naturally as they live and work here.”
The white paper also proposes shortening the post-study work period for international graduates from two years to 18 months from January 2027, alongside higher financial maintenance requirements for students — rising to £1,171 per month outside London.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers will also face higher costs, with the immigration skills charge increasing to £480 per person per year for small firms and £1,320 for medium and large organisations.
Meanwhile, the Global Talent visa — for high achievers in technology, arts and academia — will be expanded to recognise a wider range of international awards. The High Potential Individual route will double its annual intake from 2,000 to 4,000 migrants, though capped at 8,000 applications per year.
Critics warn that the government risks deterring much-needed workers in healthcare, construction and technology, sectors already facing acute labour shortages.
However, ministers insist the reforms strike the right balance between reducing overall migration and attracting highly skilled individuals capable of contributing to the UK’s long-term growth.
As Britain’s migration policy tightens once again, the message from the Home Office is clear: the right to work in the UK will increasingly depend not only on skills — but on mastering the language of opportunity.
