A series of new UK visa rules affecting families, students and seasonal workers took effect on Tuesday, November 11, as part of the government’s plan to curb reliance on cheap foreign labour.

The Home Office said the changes, announced in October, will be rolled out in stages through 2025 and 2026. Officials say the measures are designed to tighten immigration standards and encourage a more sustainable domestic workforce.

English language requirements

From January 2026, migrants coming to work in the UK will need to demonstrate English-language ability at an A-level standard. Tougher standards for speaking, listening, reading and writing will apply to certain visa categories.

Students

From Nov. 11, international students applying for a UK Student Visa must meet higher financial maintenance requirements.

Students coming to London must show proof of at least £1,529 per month for up to nine months, while those studying outside the capital must show £1,171 per month.

Applicants must provide bank statements showing they have held the required funds for 28 consecutive days before submitting their visa applications.

Mandatory refusals

Stricter visa-refusal rules for applicants with criminal convictions also take effect on November 11.

The Home Office has removed previous flexibility, introducing mandatory refusals for anyone who has received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more — regardless of when the offence occurred.

Previously, some applicants with shorter sentences could qualify for visas if their convictions were more than 10 years old. That option has now been eliminated.

Visas will also be refused for those deemed persistent offenders or who have committed crimes causing serious harm.

New “suitability rules” will allow caseworkers to reject applications based on past immigration violations, including overstaying, breaching visa conditions, illegal entry or deception.

Seasonal workers

Seasonal horticulture workers will be allowed to return to the UK sooner under relaxed re-entry rules also taking effect Nov. 11.

The changes allow workers in the horticulture sector to work in Britain for up to six months within any rolling 10-month period, compared with the previous six-month-per-year limit.

The Home Office said the reduced “cooling-off” period between visas will give workers and farmers greater flexibility to cover different crop seasons.

The Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme has been extended through the end of 2029 to provide long-term certainty for the agricultural sector.

Families

New safeguarding provisions have also been added to immigration rules.

Under the changes, family visa applications must be refused if caseworkers believe the applicant, or the applicant’s partner, could pose a safeguarding risk.

Officials say the updated rules are intended to strengthen protections for children and vulnerable people and ensure only eligible family members are granted entry or stay in the UK. (BusinessDay)