The changes were laid in Parliament on Tuesday
PA Archive
Tougher requirements for speaking, listening, reading and writing will be needed for certain visas as part of the Government’s immigration white paper measures, which are designed to reduce reliance on cheap foreign labour.
The changes were laid in Parliament on Tuesday and are expected to come into force on dates following November 4.
“This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute,” she said.
“But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life.
“If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part.”
The new requirements will come into effect from January 8, 2026
Applicants will have to pass the Secure English Language Test at a Home Office-approved provider in person, with their results to be checked as part of the visa process.
But the move has been criticised as pushing a false narrative that migrants lack basic English skills.
Dora-Olivia Vicol, chief executive of the Work Rights Centre, said: “Increasing English language requirements from intermediate to upper intermediate won’t make any difference to integration – this is already happening.
“It will simply make migrants feel less welcome and reinforce false stereotypes.”
This will take effect from January 2027.
Students will also have to meet higher financial requirements to be allowed to come to the UK, raised to £1,171 per month outside London (from £1,136) for up to nine months.
The HPI route open to graduates from the top 100 international universities will also be expanded as part of efforts to attract highly skilled people to the country.
The Global Talent Route was also widened to include more prestigious prizes and more changes to the visa for technology, arts and academia fields will also be made next year.
The number entering on the HPI visa is expected to double from 2,000 to 4,000, while there will be a cap of 8,000 applications each year.
Under further white paper plans, the immigration skills charge for UK employers to pay when sponsoring foreign workers on specific visas has also been increased to £480 per person per year for small organisations or charities, and to £1,320 for medium and large organisations.
This is raised from £364 and £1,000 respectively.
Home Office estimates indicate that changes from the plan could reduce the number of people coming to the UK by up to 100,000 per year.
Further English language requirements for other visa routes and family dependants are expected.
Meanwhile, the Home Office has also announced any nationals from Botswana will need a visa before travelling to Britain, including for short visits in response to a “high number” of people arriving as visitors since 2022 and then claiming asylum.
The Government branded this a “misuse of the UK’s immigration system”.
The move will come into force from 3pm on Tuesday.
