Living, Working and Studying in the UK

If you are planning to move to the UK to live, work, or study from 2026, several significant changes have been introduced over the last two years to tighten immigration rules. Most of these focus on higher financial requirements and stricter rules for bringing family members. The government has focused on higher English-language requirements, updated salary thresholds for workers, and changes to the length of time you can stay after finishing your studies.

Here is a breakdown of the current rules for each category.

Working in the UK

The most impactful changes affect the Skilled Worker visa.

• New Entrants: If you are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you might be eligible for a lower salary threshold (often around £33,400). This lower rate only applies for a maximum of 4 years
• English Language: New applicants must now show a higher level of English. The standard has moved up to B2 level (upper-intermediate), which means you can communicate confidently at work. The old requirement was B1 level (basic).
• Skilled Worker visa remains the primary route to employment, but the pay rules have become much more rigorous.
• New Salary Thresholds: For most roles, the minimum general salary threshold has risen to £41,700 per year. You must be paid either this amount or the “going rate” for your specific job code, whichever is higher.
• Pay Compliance: The Home Office now monitors pay more closely. Employers must ensure you are paid the required pro-rata salary in every pay period (monthly or weekly). This prevents “ghost sponsorships,” in which workers might be underpaid in certain months.
• Health and Care Workers: If you work in health or adult social care, you can still apply with a lower salary threshold of around £29,000. You also do not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. However, most new care workers are not allowed to bring family members with them as dependants.

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Studying in the UK

The rules for international students have shifted to focus on high-level research

• Dependants: You can only bring a partner or children if you are enrolled in a PhD, a doctoral programme, or a research-based postgraduate degree. Students on standard taught Master’s or Bachelor’s courses can no longer bring family members.
• Financial Maintenance: You must show you have enough money to support yourself. For 2026, this is set at £1,334 per month if you are studying in London and £1,023 per month for the rest of the UK (for up to nine months).
• Switching Restrictions: You cannot switch from a Student visa to a Work visa until you have actually completed your course.

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Staying After Your Studies (Graduate Visa)

The Graduate Route allows you to stay and work after finishing your degree without needing a sponsor.

• Current Duration: You can currently stay for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates).
• Upcoming Change: The UK government has announced that the stay for non-PhD graduates will be reduced to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.
• Dependants: You cannot add new dependants to this visa. Only family members who were already with you on your Student visa can apply to stay with you.

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Living in the UK (Settlement)

The path to staying in the UK permanently (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) has become longer for many:

• Earned Settlement: A new framework means many people now need to live in the UK for 10 years before they can apply for permanent residency, rather than the previous five-year route for certain visas.
• High Earners: Those earning over £50,270 or £125,140 may still be able to access faster routes to settlement (three to five years).

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Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

You must pay the health surcharge as part of your visa application to use the National Health Service (NHS). These fees are paid upfront for the entire duration of your visa:

Applicant Type	Yearly Cost
Main applicants (Work/Family)	£1,035
Students and their dependants	£776
Children (Under 18)	£776
Youth Mobility Scheme	£776

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Useful Resources

For the most accurate and up-to-date guidance, you should always check the official government sources:

• Gov.uk – Check if you need a UK visa
• UKCISA – UK Council for International Student Affairs
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Indefinite leave to remain

Disclosure: This information is based on UK government announcements and immigration rules, including Statement of Changes HC 1695. Immigration laws are subject to frequent change; you should always check the official Gov.uk website or consult a qualified legal professional before making an application. The Haemophilia Society is not able to provide immigration advice or assist with the visa application process.