1. Graduate visa changes
The Government plans to extend the Graduate visa to two years for graduates of eligible universities with strong compliance records and labour-market outcomes. This is a targeted proposal, not a blanket extension for every university graduate. GOV.UK
2. High Potential Individual (HPI) visa expansion
The Government plans to expand the HPI route to graduates of eligible institutions among the world’s top 150 universities, with a proportionate increase in the scheme’s cap. The eligible university list and detailed implementation requirements will be important. GOV.UK
3. Skilled Worker salary requirements
The Government intends to adjust minimum salary requirements to better reflect labour-market conditions across the UK. Employers should not assume that the salary threshold has already changed: the detailed requirements and effective dates need to be checked against the relevant Immigration Rules. GOV.UK
4. More time for certain highly skilled sponsored workers to find a new job
The Government intends to work towards allowing the highest-skilled workers to have a visa curtailment period of up to six months to find another job. This is a proposed change for a defined group, not a general six-month extension for all Skilled Workers. GOV.UK
5. Global Talent visa
The Budget highlights the expansion of the Global Talent endorsed-funder pathway, giving more research and development-intensive businesses the ability to support leading scientists and engineers coming to work in the UK. The Government says this expansion has already been introduced since Budget 2025. GOV.UK
6. Immigration Skills Charge and Certificate of Sponsorship fees
The Government will legislate so that an employer’s payment of the Immigration Skills Charge or Certificate of Sponsorship fee is not treated as a taxable benefit in kind for the employee. The measure is intended to apply to payments made on or after 28 October 2026, subject to the legislation and its terms.
These are the proposed changes in in the budget announcement and not implemented yet. This rule should not be confused with the Government’s separate proposed reforms to settlement.