Tougher Skilled Worker Rules and Settlement Changes Reshape 2026 Planning
The UK is entering a new phase of immigration tightening that directly affects employer sponsorship, English-language expectations, and long-term settlement planning. In official government analysis, the Skilled Worker absolute minimum salary floor was increased to £25,000 (from £23,200) in April 2025, limiting how far “discounts” can reduce pay.
Comment — Alona Shevtsova, immigration lawyer:
“UK immigration is increasingly a compliance system, not a form-filling exercise. People need to plan for the entire life-cycle of the visa—salary progression, role stability, and evidence—because settlement is where small inconsistencies are punished.”
At the same time, UK parliamentary briefings flag additional changes beginning in 2026, including higher English requirements (for certain routes) from January 8, 2026, and planned settlement-rule changes from April 2026.
For applicants, this means strategy shifts from “qualify once” to “qualify sustainably”: salary trajectory, role genuineness, and documentation consistency over multiple years become decisive, especially for those aiming at settlement.
