Migrants will be required to have A-level standard English to work in the UK, the Home Secretary has announced.

Shabana Mahmood announced plans to raise the standard required level of English from the current lower grade GCSE standard to the equivalent of A-level speaking, listening, reading and writing.

The Home Secretary said it was "unacceptable" for migrants to come to the UK "without learning our language".

She claimed that meant they were "unable to contribute to our national life".

Migrants coming to the UK on the skilled worker, high potential individual or scale-up visa routes will have to prove they can speak B2 level English - that is the equivalent of A-level standard.

That will come into effect from January 8 next year.

It is up from the B1 level which is already required for these visa routes.

For migrants coming to the UK on the skilled worker visa, they will have to earn a minimum annual salary of £41,700 or the "going rate" for their type of work - whichever is the highest.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will also introduce the language requirements for other visa routes

For the high potential visa, migrants must be awarded either a university degree, masters or PhD.

This scale-up route is used for businesses in Britain that are considered fast-growing and require foreign workers.

However, only 116 scale-up visas were issued in the year ending June 2025.

The Home Office has said increased language requirements will also be in place for other visa routes, including on dependents.

Shabana Mahmood has introduced an A-level standard English requirement for migrants coming to the UK on certain visas