UK New Immigration Rules 2025: A Complete Guide for Indian Students

United Kingdom is a top study abroad destination for Indians. The government has made some announcements and changes in UK immigration rules. Now students have so many questions in their minds.

From launch of the eVisa, modification of dependent visa application, and upgrade in the existing visa fees, the UK immigration rules and policies have seen major changes this year. This comprehensive guide on the new UK Immigration Rules, based on official information from UK government.

Check: Guide to study in the UK

The Big Picture: Why Are the Rules Changing?

UK government's stated goal is to create a "sustainable and high-quality" immigration system. Key objectives behind these changes are:

• Reducing Net Migration: To lower the overall number of people immigrating to the UK.
• Reduce the amount of Impact on Public Resources: To lower the impact of high immigration on public services, housing and other resources available for public use.
• Prioritising Quality: To ensure that students coming to the UK are genuinely focused on high-quality academic pursuits.
• Promoting high-skilled workers: By lowering high immigration, the UK government intends to promote the domestic workforce development, and attract only the high-skilled, dedicated students, which may also help in boosting the economic development of the country.

Check: Documents Required for Admissions in the UK

Key Change 1: The eVisa Rollout for Digital Entry and Status Proof

Starting July 15, 2025, the physical stickers or vignettes in your passport will be replaced by an online record of the visa status. The eVisa will be linked to your UKVI account, so you will be required to create and manage a UKVI online account.

After its full implementation on 15 July 2025, Indian students will be required to use an eVisa for entry at the UK border, renting homes, opening bank accounts, and employability checks.  

Key Change 2: Dependant Visa

This is arguably the most significant change impacting Indian students. This new UK Immigration Rule, effective from January 2024, states that students on taught postgraduate courses (like most one-year Master's degrees) are no longer allowed to bring their family members to UK on a Dependant visa.

However, there is a key exception to this rule. You can still bring your family if you are enrolled in:

• A PhD or other doctoral qualification.
• A research-based postgraduate course (e.g., a Master's by Research) with a duration of more than nine months.

What This Means for Indian Students: If you are planning to pursue a standard one-year MSc, MA, or MBA, you will need to travel to the UK alone. Your family will not be able to join you on a Dependant visa linked to your UK Student visa. 

Key Change 3: Change in Graduate Route Duration

The Graduate Route, which allows eligible graduates to stay and work in the UK for two years (three years for PhD graduates) after their studies, has been under intense scrutiny. However, the good news is that the Graduate Route is staying, but with some changes.

According to the UK Government White Paper released in May 2025, the duration for the Graduate Route is going to be cut short to 18 months (from 24 months), to limit the number of foreign immigrants. Note that this change has not been implemented yet.

However, students who enrol before this rule is officially implemented can still avail of the two-year post-study work visa. The post-graduate work visa in the UK (Graduate Route) is a good opportunity for Indian students who wish to gain international work experience. The government of the UK has also proposed plans for new, stricter requirements for universities, including enhanced English language requirements and more.

Check: UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons

Key Change 4: Increased Financial Requirements for Student Visa

To ensure that international students can support themselves without recourse to public funds in the UK, the financial maintenance requirements for the UK student visa will be increased in  2025.

When applying for your UK Student visa, you must show you have enough money to pay your course fees for one academic year and your living costs. The minimum required living cost funds (as indicated by the UK government) are now:

• £1,483 per month for up to 9 months if you are studying in London.
• £1,136 per month for up to 9 months if you are studying outside London.

This means you must show proof of having £13,347 (if in London) or £10,224 (if outside London) in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before your visa application date.

Key Change 5: Transitioning to a Skilled Worker Visa - New Salary Thresholds

For many, the goal after the Graduate Route is to secure a Skilled Worker visa for long-term settlement, i.e. for getting a PR in the UK. The rules for this have also changed significantly.

The new general salary threshold for getting a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK is £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for the work that you are doing in the UK, whichever is higher. However, there is some good news for the recent graduates or graduate route visa holders in the UK. 

The “New Entrant” Discount for Graduates: This is the most important detail for recent graduates. The government has retained a crucial discount for "new entrants" to the labour market, including students switching from a Student visa or Graduate visa.

As a new entrant, the salary threshold you must meet is lower. You must be paid at least:

• £30,960 per year, OR
• 70% - 90% of the "going rate" for your specific job role, whichever is higher.

This makes the transition from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa more achievable.

Check: How to Apply for a UK Work Visa for Indians?

Key Change 6: Shortened List of Sponsorable Jobs

Again, this change is announced on the White Paper released by the UK government on May 12, 2025. According to this, the “jobs list” for which the UK employers can sponsor a skilled worker from abroad is going to be shrunk. 

The reduced list of jobs will no longer incorporate the medium-skilled jobs, such as the ones needing RQF levels 3-5 or the social care workers. The stress will be to recruit more domestic workers for these jobs. 

Hence, students looking to study in the UK must prepare for a career which has a scope to be listed in the "high-skilled" jobs in the country.

Check: Study in the UK without IELTS

Key Change 7: Increment in the Qualifying Period from 5 Years to 10 Years for Getting a UK PR (not yet implemented)

Again, this change is in the analysis phase and has not been implemented yet. To promote only the high-skilled workers in the UK, the government of the UK and the Home Office have proposed an increased qualifying period for getting an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK from 5 years to 10 years. However, exceptional candidates will still be able to get the PR faster than the others, the criteria for which are yet to be decided. 

On similar grounds, the process of entry for the high-skilled immigrants coming in via either the “Global Talent Visa” or the “High Potential Visa” routes will be simplified. 

Check: How to Track Your UK Student Visa Status Online?

Summary Table: UK Immigration Rule Changes for Indian Students (2025)

Actionable Checklist for Indian Students Planning for 2025

1. Choose Your Course Wisely: You should focus your search on PhD or research-based Master's programmes if bringing dependents is non-negotiable.
2. Sort Your Finances Early: Start planning for the increased financial maintenance funds well in advance. Funds need to be in a valid account. Only apply after those funds have been present there for 28 days.
3. Understand Your Post-Study Path: Research all of the “going rates” for different jobs in your chosen field in order to see how they may align with the £30,960 new entrant salary threshold.
4. Prepare Documents Carefully: As scrutiny has increased, ensure that you apply for your visa with perfection. You should double-check all the documents; make sure you confirm your acceptance for studies (CAS) along with checking your financial statements.
5. Stay Updated: The UK immigration rules can evolve over time, so if you are planning to study in the UK, you must know them. Your primary source of information should always be the official website of GOV.UK.

This was all about the UK New Immigration Rules. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop them in the comments below.