On 11 January 2026, mobility platform Jobbatical published a consolidated briefing for employers on the immigration rule-changes taking effect this year. The headline message is that the United Kingdom is simultaneously raising the bar for skilled migrants and digitising its external border. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
First, the Home Office has increased the minimum English-language requirement for the Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual routes from B1 (GCSE level) to B2 (A-level standard). Any application submitted on or after 8 January 2026 must include evidence—such as an IELTS or Trinity SELT certificate—showing upper-intermediate proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Employers that fail to pre-screen candidates risk refusals and costly delays. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
For organisations grappling with the practicalities of these shifts, VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers an intuitive way to verify entry rules, arrange ETAs and manage visa paperwork for staff and visitors. Integrating its dashboard into existing travel workflows can help companies stay compliant while the regulations continue to evolve.
![UK Immigration Policy Updates for 2026: What Employers Need to Know]()
Second, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme moves from soft rollout to full enforcement on 25 February 2026. All visa-exempt travellers from 85 countries—including the US, Canada, Australia and EU member states—must hold an approved ETA before boarding. Carriers will run real-time checks and deny travel where no digital permission is found. Corporations that regularly bring short-term visitors to the UK should embed ETA capture into their travel-booking workflows to avoid last-minute trip cancellations. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
Third, the government confirms that the standard residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) doubles from five to ten years, although accelerated routes (e.g. Global Talent) remain available. HR teams therefore need longer-term retention plans for sponsored workers. Importantly, the baseline salary for Skilled Worker visas stays at £41,700, giving finance departments near-term predictability on budgeting. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
Taken together, the reforms signal a policy pivot: fewer but higher-skilled long-term migrants, more rigorous short-stay screening, and a fully digital border. Multinationals must revise recruitment timelines, update compliance checklists and educate travelling executives immediately.
First, the Home Office has increased the minimum English-language requirement for the Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual routes from B1 (GCSE level) to B2 (A-level standard). Any application submitted on or after 8 January 2026 must include evidence—such as an IELTS or Trinity SELT certificate—showing upper-intermediate proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Employers that fail to pre-screen candidates risk refusals and costly delays. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
For organisations grappling with the practicalities of these shifts, VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers an intuitive way to verify entry rules, arrange ETAs and manage visa paperwork for staff and visitors. Integrating its dashboard into existing travel workflows can help companies stay compliant while the regulations continue to evolve.
Second, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme moves from soft rollout to full enforcement on 25 February 2026. All visa-exempt travellers from 85 countries—including the US, Canada, Australia and EU member states—must hold an approved ETA before boarding. Carriers will run real-time checks and deny travel where no digital permission is found. Corporations that regularly bring short-term visitors to the UK should embed ETA capture into their travel-booking workflows to avoid last-minute trip cancellations. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
Third, the government confirms that the standard residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) doubles from five to ten years, although accelerated routes (e.g. Global Talent) remain available. HR teams therefore need longer-term retention plans for sponsored workers. Importantly, the baseline salary for Skilled Worker visas stays at £41,700, giving finance departments near-term predictability on budgeting. ([jobbatical.com](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/uk-immigration-policy-2026-updates))
Taken together, the reforms signal a policy pivot: fewer but higher-skilled long-term migrants, more rigorous short-stay screening, and a fully digital border. Multinationals must revise recruitment timelines, update compliance checklists and educate travelling executives immediately.
