Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules, March 2025; and Home Office and Nationality Fee Changes

United Kingdom Immigration

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Authors: Abilio Jaribu , Claire D Nilson , Isabel Philips

At a Glance

The changes to the Immigration Rules affect nationals from Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, European Economic Area & Switzerland, British Nationals (Overseas), and French schoolchildren, as well as those in the Youth Mobility Scheme and the routes for Skilled Workers, Global Talent, Child Students, Creative Workers, International Sportspersons, and Short-Term Study.
The Home Office also has announced changes to immigration and nationality fees, which will come into effect on 9 April 2025. These fee adjustments apply to various visa categories, and we give a breakdown of some of the revised fees.

March 2025 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules

On 12 March 2025, the Home Office laid before Parliament the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 733). This statement outlines several significant amendments aimed at refining and updating the United Kingdom’s immigration system. We summarise key changes below.

Changes for Nationals of Trinidad & Tobago

Effective from 15:00 GMT on 12 March 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will need a visit visa to enter the UK. This immediate requirement responds to a significant increase in asylum claims and misuse of the Immigration Rules by individuals from Trinidad and Tobago; in 2024, the number of asylum claims on arrival by nationals of Trinidad and Tobago rose to 439, a steep increase from an average of 49 asylum claims submitted annually between 2015 and 2019. To manage the transition smoothly, a six-week period is provided for those with confirmed travel bookings made before 12 March 2025. These individuals can travel to the UK without a visa until 15:00 on 23 April 2025, provided they hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Additionally, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for airside transit unless exempted under specific conditions.

Changes to the Ukraine Scheme

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE), launched on 4 February 2025, allows Ukrainians and their eligible family members already in the UK to extend their stay. The changes ensure children under 18, granted Leave to Enter outside the Immigration Rules to join their parents with Ukraine Scheme permission, can continue their stay. This update aligns with the Homes for Ukraine guidance, providing greater certainty for these individuals.

Changes to the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Eligibility requirements and definitions have been updated to ensure the scheme works effectively for all participants, providing greater clarity and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The updates include aligning the definition of ‘parent’ to exclude step-parents, requiring parents joined by a child to be lawfully resident in the UK, and ending the variation of permission process for individuals who “applied under the Ukraine scheme biometric deferral process[,] travelled with a permission to travel letter and were granted leave outside the Immigration Rules on or after arrival in the UK”.

Updates to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

The EUSS enables EU, other European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before the end of the post-EU exit transition, and their families, to obtain the immigration status they need to continue living in the UK. Amendments address continuity of residence and eligibility criteria for family permits and administrative review processes, enhancing clarity and ensuring consistency in processing applications. These changes reflect the ongoing commitment to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members residing in the UK post-Brexit.

Exemption for French Schoolchildren

Children under 18 visiting the UK as part of a French school group are now exempt from requiring an ETA. This change facilitates educational and cultural visits, promoting international exchange and strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and France.

Exemption for British Nationals (Overseas) From ETA

British Nationals (Overseas) are now exempt from requiring an ETA, aligning with other policy updates. This change facilitates easier travel for BN(O) passport holders and reflects the UK’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with Hong Kong.

Adjustments to the Skilled Worker Route

Provisions for care workers and senior care workers have been updated to reflect salary adjustments and recruitment requirements. Sponsors must attempt to recruit from the existing pool of workers in the UK before hiring from overseas. The minimum salary for skilled workers is increased to £25,000 per year or £12.82 per hour, based on the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. These updates aim to ensure fair wages, address the growing demand for care workers in the sector, and to encourage employers to hire from the growing number of workers in the UK who were previously issued a Health Care visa but no longer have sponsorship. Employers will now be required to demonstrate that they have attempted to recruit a worker already based in the UK before considering overseas candidates.

Global Talent Route Updates

The Global Talent category is for talented and promising individuals wishing to work in the UK. The Global Talent route has been refined with amendments to evidential requirements and the Prestigious Prizes list. Applicants holding a qualifying prize can qualify without needing an endorsement from the Global Talent endorsing bodies, as long as the prize demonstrates their standing at the pinnacle of their professions. Under the new rules, the qualifying prize must be awarded to named individuals rather than a production or organisation. Additionally, the prize must be open to all nationalities, and winners must be determined by experts or peers rather than a public vote.

Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Quotas for 2025

Annual quotas for participating countries in the Youth Mobility Scheme have been updated for 2025, reflecting the UK’s international commitments to cultural exchange programmes. This update ensures that young people from participating countries continue to have opportunities for cultural and professional exchange in the UK.

Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Quotas — Comparison
Country	2023 Quota	2025 Quota
Australia	35,000	42,000
Canada	8,000	10,000
Hong Kong	1,000	1,000
Iceland	1,000	1,000
India	3,000	3,000
Japan	1,500	6,000
Monaco	1,000	1,000
New Zealand	13,000	9,500
Republic of Korea	1,000	5,000
San Marino	1,000	1,000
Taiwan	1,000	1,000
Uruguay	N.A.	500

Enhanced Child Student Safeguarding

New eligibility requirements have been introduced for nominated guardians in the Child Student route. Applications can now be refused if the carer has committed relevant criminal offences. Additionally, living arrangement requirements have been clarified, ensuring the safety and well-being of Child Students in the UK. These changes reinforce the safeguarding measures in place to protect the welfare of young students.

Clarifications for Temporary Work Routes and International Sportspersons

Creative Workers are explicitly clarified as not being able to fill permanent roles, ensuring the temporary nature of their work. Additionally, new sports governing bodies for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and volleyball have been added, and updates have been made to the approved body for canoeing. These updates aim to provide clarity and support the development of various sports disciplines in the UK.

Genuine-Intention-to-Study Requirement in Appendix Short-Term Study

A new rule has been introduced to ensure applicants on the Short-Term Study route have a genuine intention to study the course listed in their application and leave the UK at the end of their course. This requirement aims to uphold the integrity of the student visa system and ensure that individuals are genuinely pursuing educational opportunities.

April 2025 Immigration and Nationality Fee Changes

The UK Home Office has announced changes to immigration and nationality fees, which will come into effect on 9 April 2025. These fee adjustments apply to various visa categories.

Here is a breakdown of the some of the revised fees:

Fee Category	Current Fee	Fee From 9 April 2025	Fee Increase
Standard UK passport — online application (adults)	£88.50	£94.50	£6
Standard UK passport — online application (adults) — Overseas	£101	£108	£7
Standard UK passport — postal application (adults)	£100	£107	£7
Standard UK passport — postal application (adults) — Overseas	£112.50	£120.50	£8
Standard UK passport — online application (children)	£57.50	£61.50	£4
Standard UK passport — online application (children) — Overseas	£65.50	£70	£4.50
Standard UK passport — postal application (children)	£69	£74	£5
Standard UK passport — postal application (children) — Overseas	£77	£82.50	£5.50
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)	£10	£16	£6
Skilled worker visa — 3 years or less — main applicant and dependants — applications made outside the UK	£719	£769	£50
Skilled worker visa — 3 years or less — main applicant and dependants — applications made inside the UK	£827	£885	£58
Skilled Worker — over 3 years — main applicant and dependants — applications made outside the UK	£1,420	£1,519	£99
Skilled Worker — over 3 years — main applicant and dependants — applications made inside the UK	£1,636	£1,751	£115
Naturalisation (British citizenship)	£1,500	£1,605	£105
Senior or Specialist Worker visa — 3 years or less — main applicant and dependants — applications made outside the UK	£719	£769	£50
Senior or Specialist Worker visa — 3 years or less — main applicant and dependants — applications made inside the UK	£827	£885	£58
Senior or Specialist Worker visa — over 3 years — main applicant and dependants — applications made outside the UK	£1,420	£1,519	£99
Graduate visa — applications made inside the UK	£822	£880	£58
Service Supplier visa — main applicant and dependants — applications made outside the UK	£298	£319	£21
Service Supplier visa — main applicant and dependants — applications made inside the UK	£298	£319	£21
UK Expansion Worker visa — application made outside the UK	£298	£319	£21
UK Expansion Worker visa — application made inside the UK	£298	£319	£21
Secondment Worker visa — application made outside the UK	£298	£319	£21
Secondment Worker visa — application made inside the UK	£298	£319	£21
Scale-up visa — main applicant and dependants — application made outside the UK	£822	£880	£58
Scale-up visa — main applicant and dependants — application made inside the UK	£822	£880	£58
High-Potential Individual visa — main applicant and dependants — application made outside the UK	£822	£880	£58
High-Potential Individual visa — main applicant and dependants — application made inside the UK	£822	£880	£58
Global Talent visa — main applicant where Approval Letter is required — application made outside the UK	£192	£205	£13
Global Talent visa — main applicant where Approval Letter is required — application made outside the UK	£524	£561	£37
Innovator Founder visa — main applicant and dependants — application made outside the UK	£1,191	£1,274	£83
Innovator Founder visa — main applicant and dependants — application made inside the UK	£1,486	£1,590	£104
Start-up visa — main applicant and dependants — application made outside the UK	£435	£465	£30
Start-up visa — main applicant and dependants — application made inside the UK	£584	£625	£41

The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.