Vanessa Ganguin shares insights on how tech firms should react to UK immigration changes for techUK

25 August 2025

The UK’s Labour government has imposed massive curbs on work visas to the UK for those whose skills are deemed below degree-equivalent level (occupational level not educational attainment). The measures are part of a tranche of immigration policies to reduce falling net migration figures even further and encourage sectors relying on migrant hires to train the resident workforce.

Vanessa Ganguin shared her insights on what we currently know about these changes, how they will affect the UK’s rapidly growing tech sector and what tech employers can do to mitigate these changes and protect their workforce.

The UK government trailed a programme of immigration reforms for this parliament in its Immigration White Paper. The first major changes have been implemented this summer on 22 July 2025.

Unveiling the raft of legislation, the Prime Minister promised: “we will still be competitive in attracting the world’s best talent. At the same time, we will wean our national economy off its reliance on cheap labour from overseas.”

The White Paper aims to curb lesser skilled UK immigration and settlement and make hiring immigrants contingent on sectors training a local workforce. Vanessa’s article for tech UK – see link below – tackled how these reforms will affect businesses working in the tech sector and their migrant employees.

“Given the breadth and depth of these proposed changes, proactive preparation is crucial for employers. So is reassuring current migrant workers, where possible,” writes Vanessa.

“The government’s main impetus is to reduce UK immigration and it would be prudent to apply for any new visas, renewals, settlement or citizenship sooner rather than later, when there may be more hurdles.

Budget for increased sponsorship costs and minimum salaries. In some cases, it may be appropriate to seek immigration advice on alternative work or personal immigration routes that prospective employees may be eligible for.

Right to work and sponsor compliance is more important than ever with changing immigration rules and increased sanctions from the Home Office. Be aware that the new Border Bill is set to extend the right to work check framework to the gig economy and zero-hour workers.

Keep abreast of developments from techUK and your immigration advisers, and as a sector be ready to work on the workforce strategy that the government will want to see for occupations no longer deemed skilled enough to be given a further reprieve in the Temporary Shortage List. Expect much lobbying from every sector of the economy.”

For more details on how any of these changes may affect you or any other immigration questions please email vanessa@vanessaganguin.com.