Student update: Changes to the Immigration Rules, October 2025

The Home Office has published a Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules which will affect immigration applications for the UK. 

Last week, we initially alerted you to this Statement and highlighted two important changes, in our separate news item: Student update: Changes to the Student and Graduate Rules. 

The Statement was published on 14 October 2025. In addition to what we have already told you about, the following changes are also relevant, to students and their family members. 

Please see each relevant change below for specific details about when it will take effect. Home Office guidance to accompany these changes may not be published until on, or after, the effective dates of the changes.  

Graduate route 

We have outlined the changes to the Graduate route, who they apply to, and when they will apply in our separate news item: Student update: Changes to the Student and Graduate Rules. 

Student route 

We have summarised key changes to the maintenance requirements for the Student route in our separate news item:  Student update: Changes to the Student and Graduate Rules. 

There is one further change, to the Student route work conditions, affecting those applying for the Student route who may, subsequently, wish to move on to the Innovator Founder route. You can read more about that change, at paragraph 5.26 in the Statement’s Explanatory Memorandum. 

Suitability requirements 

‘Suitability requirements’ are the cross-cutting part of the Immigration Rules dealing with general factors which may deem someone unsuitable to receive immigration permission in the UK. These are currently housed in Immigration Rules Part 9: grounds for refusal.  

From 11 November, Part 9 will be re-written and re-titled as Part Suitability. All references to Part 9, within other routes across the Rules, will be amended to make new (aligned) reference to Part Suitability. You can read more about general grounds for refusal on our Student route: eligibility and requirements webpage. 

Paragraphs 39E and 39F of Part 1 of the Immigration Rules, which deal with exceptions for those making applications within the UK as overstayers, will be moved into the new Part Suitability on the same date. 

Botswana and Palestine 

New provisions have been imposed for citizens and nationals of Botswana wishing to travel to the UK. Botswana has been added to the visa national list and consequently removed from Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation. Citizens and nationals of Botswana are now required to obtain entry clearance (a Visitor visa) before travelling to the UK, as opposed to being able to seek permission to enter the UK upon arrival. This change was implemented with immediate effect from 3 pm BST on 14 October 2025.  

Transitional arrangements are in place for any citizens and nationals of Botswana who hold a confirmed travel booking to the UK made before 3 pm BST on 14 October 2025. If this booking leads to arrival in the UK no later than 3 pm GMT on 25 November 2025, they will not be subjected to this change.  

The UK has recognised the state of Palestine, which will resultantly be added to the visa national list from 11 November 2025. Citizens and nationals of Palestine are required to obtain entry clearance for any purpose before travelling to the UK. 

Skilled Worker route 

The minimum English language requirement for initial applications under the Skilled Worker route made on or after 8 January 2026 will increase to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  

High Potential Individual (HPI)  

From 4 November 2025, applications under this route will be capped at 8,000 per year (where ‘a year’ for these purposes, runs from 1 November - 31 October). If an applicant applies under the HPI category and their application is over that maximum figure, their application will be deemed invalid.  

The list of eligible institutions will increase from 50 to 100 for applications made on or after 4 November 2025 but this list is now subject to any exclusions the Home Office considers appropriate. 

For applications made on or after 8 January 2026, the minimum English language requirement for those applying under the HPI route will increase to level B2. 

As of 4 November 2025, those seeking to conduct research in the UK whilst holding HPI permission will be subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). You can read more about ATAS on our Student route: eligibility and requirements webpage.  

Child Student route 

For applications made on or after 11 November 2025, a number of provisions in the Child Student route will be amended, for child safeguarding purposes. These changes are being made in Appendix Child Student. 

The definition of a “nominated guardian” will include guardians that care for Child Students during periods of term-time and will further clarify the permitted length of care that can be provided by the nominated guardian. 

A “guardianship organisation” will also be included in the revised definition of a nominated guardian. A guardianship organisation is an organisation that will arrange a nominated guardian for a Child Student. 

There are further related changes, details of which can be found in the Explanatory Memorandum. 

Group school trips to the UK from schools in Germany 

From 11 November 2025 those aged 19 or under who are studying at a school or educational institution in Germany registered with the municipal or competent authority and who are seeking to enter the UK as part of a school party of five or more pupils (organised by that school/institution) will no longer be required to obtain entry clearance or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to entry to the UK.  

They will need to be listed in a designated Home Office form, and the list must be in the possession of an adult arriving at the border with responsibility for supervising the party’s travel. Students in this group will also be able to travel on a national identity card rather than a passport if they are an EU/EEA/Swiss national. 

For up-to-date comprehensive information about visas and immigration for international students, visit our student advice pages.