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UK Visa and Immigration Latest Updates 2025
Edited By Ipshita ghosh | Updated on Jan 16, 2025 02:32 PM IST
Getting admission to the prestigious UK universities is an enthralling experience for international students. Getting a student visa in the United Kingdom is essential to fulfilling the dream of studying abroad. Are you planning to study in UK?
Then, there are a few latest updates concerning the UK visa and immigration processes that you need to know. The changes will have a direct impact on skilled workers, international students, as well as their dependents in 2025.
In this article, we will throw some light on the UK Visa and immigration latest updates so that you know them before going to UK.
What is UK Visa and Immigration?
It is the home office division that monitors and manages the visa system of the United Kingdom. UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) issues different types of visas to international students. With these visas, students are able to enter, stay, or live in the United Kingdom. The UKVI decides whether an individual is eligible for the visa or not.
This Story also Contains
- What is UK Visa and Immigration?
- Home Office-Latest News About Immigration
- What are the Latest Changes Introduced by UK Government ?
- UK New Immigration Rules 2025
- Home Office-Latest News About Immigration
- What Are The Current Home Office UK Visa Processing And Decision Waiting Times for Student Visas?
- Which Factors Impact The UK Visa Processing And Decision-Waiting Time?
- What Is The UK Immigration News For The Skilled Workers?
Home Office-Latest News About Immigration
Following are the reasons for introducing the changes to the existing immigration rules and regulations:
Balance the increasing level of immigration to UK
Manage public services
Address the labour need in the UK market
What are the Latest Changes Introduced by UK Government ?
Here is a list of the major changes that the UK government has introduced related to the UK visa and immigration:
Changes to salary thresholds and visa application fees (for skilled workers)
Restrictions on dependents and visa switching rules
Changes for health and care workers
Transition to a digital eVisa system
UK New Immigration Rules 2025
Several restrictions have been imposed on student visas and their dependents. Here is the latest UK immigration news for international students.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that the UK post-study work visa or the graduate route remain unchanged. This means that international students will be able to continue staying in the United Kingdom for two years after they complete their studies.
As per the UK visa and immigration latest update, from January 2024, students who are not enrolled in research-based masters degrees in the UK or do not have government-funded scholarships cannot bring their dependents in the United Kingdom. This will help in controlling the net migration figures.
With effect from October 4, 2023, the costs of the UK student visa prices have increased by GBP 127. According to the latest update about UK visas, the revised fee for both child students and student visas is now 490 GBP, which is 50,000 INR.
International students have to complete their courses before applying for a post-study work visa.
Last year, there was a decrease of over 16% in the number of student visa applications in the United Kingdom. Due to the UK new immigration rules 2025, the number of student visa applications is predicted to go down even more this year.
Home Office-Latest News About Immigration
Following are some of the UK visa and immigration latest updates 2025:
As per the latest UK immigration news today, the UK has opened pre-travel requirements for non-Europeans. It is now possible for non-Europeans to apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and from January 2025, it is mandatory for them to carry ETA to travel to the United Kingdom.
The UK visa and immigration update details say that by the end of 2025, the UK will replace the traditional document-based visas and adopt only digital eVisas. With this, the UKVI will get instant access to the immigration status information, eliminating the risk of missing out on important documents. So, make sure you update your UK visas and immigration account details, address, and email address to receive updates and information about visas.
What Are The Current Home Office UK Visa Processing And Decision Waiting Times for Student Visas?
The UK home office looks after publishing the UK visa processing and decision waiting times for the applications that are submitted both inside and outside the United Kingdom. It might depend on the type of visa that you are applying for. Currently, it takes approximately around 3 weeks for processing the student visa application.
Which Factors Impact The UK Visa Processing And Decision-Waiting Time?
There are a number of factors that impact UK visa processing and decision-waiting time, including:
The complexities involved
Concerns around criminality
Any adverse immigration history, if any
Whether the documents presented are authentic or not
Whether further investigation is needed on the conducted interview or not
Home office decision-making depends on these factors.
What Is The UK Immigration News For The Skilled Workers?
The UK home office has announced several updates on sponsorship costs and electronic travel authorisation for skilled workers. These will have great implications for employers hiring or sponsoring international talent.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): The next phase of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has become mandatory for non-European nationals from January 8, 2025. This will impact the entry process in the United Kingdom.
Changes to sponsorship costs for skilled workers: The UK government has implemented significant changes regarding the sponsorship costs for skilled workers. The purpose of doing this is to address the concerns regarding work debt and exploitation. Costs like the sponsor license fee and certificate of sponsorship is prohibited from being passed on to skilled workers.
Penalties for non-compliance: If the new regulations are not followed, then the sponsor license can be revoked. And if the sponsor license is revoked, then it can result in financial losses and reputational damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the new immigration rules for the UK?
As per the UK visa and immigration latest update, from January 2024, students who are not enrolled in research-based masters degrees in the UK or do not have government-funded scholarships cannot bring their dependents in the United Kingdom.
2. How long are UK visas taking right now for student visas?
The standard time for processing a student visa in the UK is around 3 weeks. However, it can vary depending on several factors, like the time of the year, location of the applicant, and specific circumstances of the application.
3. How do I know my UK visa is successful?
The UKVI will send you an approval letter with the conditions of your stay. You will either be given a sticker, also known as a vignette that goes in your passport, or if you have given your UK visa and immigration update details, you will receive an online record of your immigration status.
4. Can I check online if my visa is approved?
You can check the visa stamping status online by visiting the official website of the visa issuing authority of the country you wish to travel to. You can check the status by using your passport number, or else you can even use your application or reference number.
5. What is the 28-day rule for a UK visa?
As per the 2-day rule, an applicant has to show that he holds the funds for 28 consecutive days. Also, the financial documents that the applicants have must not be older than 31 days on the date when they submit the online student visa application.
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Get answers from students and experts
Hello,
Hope you are doing great.
Answering to your question, Certainly, you are eligible to participate in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), a crucial pathway for pursuing medical education in India. Let's break down the eligibility criteria:
Age Requirement:
- You must be 17 years or older by December 31, 2024, to qualify for NEET.
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEET exam.
Academic Qualification:
- Completion of your 12th standard (10+2) with the following subjects is necessary: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- The minimum percentage of marks required in class 12 boards is:
- 50% for General and EWS applicants
- 40% for SC/ST/OBC applicants
Additional Subject Consideration:
- If you had PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) with Biology as an additional subject, you can still apply for NEET 2024.
- It is mandatory to have studied biology in your 10+2 curriculum to meet NEET eligibility criteria.
Attempts and Age Limit:
- Unlike some other government entrance exams, there is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET.
- You can take NEET regardless of your previous attempts.
Hope this helps!!
satyamercedes0626 04 March,2024
dear student,
yes you can get job in uk and outside india with bsc and msc in geology from india.
your degree is valid outside also.
in recent times there is a rise in the demand for geologist around the globe and if you have a good resume and some work experience getting a job in united kingdom will be easy for you.
hope this helped.
shabinalunkal 20 July,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well...
Masters in Aviation Management in UK Universities
Aviation Management universities in UKMasters in Aviation Management in UK
- Cranfield UniversityMSc in Air Transport Management
- Cranfield UniversityMSc in Airport Planning and Management
- Cranfield UniversityMSc in Safety and Human Factors in Aviation
Hope it's helpful thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 18 April,2022
Hello Student
In the school level e face student has a gap period of 2 years then he or she will be allowed for taking admission in United Kingdom for higher studies. Baat inke supposed variation if there is a gap of 5 years in the graduation level then the candidate will be allowed for taking admission in post graduation in United Kingdom. As the rules permit your gap of 5 years for taking admission in prostation level then you are mostly eligible for taking admission in MSC courses in United Kingdom.
This will help.
Sohamsengupta8 21 March,2022
hi Aspirants,
As per your query,
In short, Indian pharmacy degrees are not directly accepted by the UK you will need to do a 1-year University-based conversion course called the OSPAP, after this, you will need to do the “pre-reg exam” and then you will become licensed to work by the GPhC .
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/) is the regulator of pharmacists and pharmacies in the UK, this is similar to the FDA in India.
for further information, you can check out this link as given below:
https://www.careers360.com/articles/4679-UK-Degrees-Validity-British-Accreditation-Council
Hope you understand , in case of any query you can comment here.
Thank you .
Anushri Varshney 13 March,2022
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