UK Visa and Immigration Latest Updates 2025

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.

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 UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements. These will have great implications for employers hiring or sponsoring international talent.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Also Read:

• UK Skilled Worker Visa
• Impact of UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes on International Students