Employers sponsoring talent under the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual (HPI) and Scale-up routes need to prepare for tougher language rules. A Home Office update summarised by law firm Birketts confirms that, from 8 January 2026, first-time applicants must meet English at level B2 of the Common European Framework – one rung higher than the previous B1 benchmark. Existing visa-holders remain unaffected, but HR teams must ensure candidates book Secure English Language Tests (SELT) that satisfy the new threshold. (birketts.co.uk)
The same briefing reiterates that the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will become fully mandatory on 25 February 2026. Nationals of 85 visa-waiver countries – including the US, Canada, Australia and most EU states – will have to obtain the £16 digital permit before boarding a flight, ferry or Eurostar service to Britain. Airlines and carriers that allow a passenger to travel without an ETA face fines and liability for repatriation costs. Most approvals are automatic within minutes, but the Home Office advises applying at least three working days ahead. (birketts.co.uk)
![UK raises English requirement for work visas and sets ETA enforcement date]()
For organisations seeking extra support, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end solution for both B2 language compliance and ETA processing. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) can schedule SELT appointments, pre-screen candidates’ test results, and handle ETA applications in bulk, giving HR and travel teams real-time status updates and automated reminders.
For multinationals, the dual changes mean new onboarding and travel-risk procedures. Recruiters must verify that incoming staff have B2-level certificates issued by approved test providers. Travellers transiting via the UK – for example, US executives connecting to Africa – will also need ETAs if they pass through passport control. Global mobility managers should update FAQs, budget for the higher test cost (around £190) and incorporate ETA checks into pre-trip approval workflows. (birketts.co.uk)
Failure to comply could delay assignments and trigger civil penalties. Birketts recommends auditing talent pipelines now, flagging applicants likely to fall short of B2, and scheduling language training where necessary. Travel managers are urged to work with TMCs to build ETA reminders into booking platforms well before the February deadline. The moves are part of the UK’s push toward a fully digital, security-focused border by 2027. (birketts.co.uk)
The same briefing reiterates that the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will become fully mandatory on 25 February 2026. Nationals of 85 visa-waiver countries – including the US, Canada, Australia and most EU states – will have to obtain the £16 digital permit before boarding a flight, ferry or Eurostar service to Britain. Airlines and carriers that allow a passenger to travel without an ETA face fines and liability for repatriation costs. Most approvals are automatic within minutes, but the Home Office advises applying at least three working days ahead. (birketts.co.uk)
For organisations seeking extra support, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end solution for both B2 language compliance and ETA processing. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) can schedule SELT appointments, pre-screen candidates’ test results, and handle ETA applications in bulk, giving HR and travel teams real-time status updates and automated reminders.
For multinationals, the dual changes mean new onboarding and travel-risk procedures. Recruiters must verify that incoming staff have B2-level certificates issued by approved test providers. Travellers transiting via the UK – for example, US executives connecting to Africa – will also need ETAs if they pass through passport control. Global mobility managers should update FAQs, budget for the higher test cost (around £190) and incorporate ETA checks into pre-trip approval workflows. (birketts.co.uk)
Failure to comply could delay assignments and trigger civil penalties. Birketts recommends auditing talent pipelines now, flagging applicants likely to fall short of B2, and scheduling language training where necessary. Travel managers are urged to work with TMCs to build ETA reminders into booking platforms well before the February deadline. The moves are part of the UK’s push toward a fully digital, security-focused border by 2027. (birketts.co.uk)
