Training | English language test for migrants set to reshape hiring - what HR needs to know

From January 2026, migrants applying for certain UK visas will need to demonstrate English at A-level standard -  a significant step up from the current GCSE-level requirement. The move, aimed at tightening immigration, looks likely to have ramifications for employers already facing acute skills shortages.

According to new analysis from Babbel for Business, the change marks “a notable shift in workforce planning and recruitment strategies for UK employers” and will require HR teams to take a more proactive role in supporting international hires.