New English Language Threshold For Many UK Work Visas

In last year's White Paper "Restoring Control Over the Immigration System" the UK government signalled its intention to raise the bar for many visa routes, particularly sponsored workers. Alongside minimum salary and skill level increases which were implemented in July 2025, it was considered that higher levels of English language skills should be required in order to assist the integration, economic and civic contribution of migrants.

The existing test for most sponsored workers was level B1 CEFR – broadly, intermediate English. Skills were – and will continue to be – tested across all four disciplines: reading, writing, speaking and listening (unlike family members, for example, who are only tested for speaking and listening).