Major UK Skilled Worker Visa Updates Effective 22 July 2025: What Applicants and Employers Should Know

The UK government has announced significant reforms to the Skilled Worker visa route, coming into effect on 22 July 2025. These changes, aimed at tightening the eligibility criteria and aligning with labour market needs, will impact both employers and potential migrants. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates and what they mean for skilled, medium-skilled, and ineligible occupations.

• The minimum skill level requirement for new Skilled Worker visa applications has been raised—from RQF Level 3 (A-level) to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree).
• Over 100 occupations, mainly at medium skill levels, are being removed from the list of eligible roles for sponsorship.
• The general salary threshold is rising from £38,700 to £41,700 per year for most applicants. The minimum hourly rate is now set at £17.13.
• There will be no new overseas recruitment for care worker roles. The route for sponsoring care and senior care workers from abroad closes for all new applicants from this date.
• A Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL) is being introduced to allow limited, short-term sponsorship for certain critical roles below RQF Level 6, but with strict conditions and no eligibility for bringing dependants.

From 22 July 2025, only roles assessed at RQF Level 6 or above (typically requiring a graduate-level qualification or equivalent expertise) will be eligible through the standard Skilled Worker route. This includes jobs such as engineers, IT specialists, doctors, and certain teaching and managerial positions.

Roles that previously met the lower RQF Level 3 to 5 criteria will no longer qualify for new Skilled Worker visas, except for certain jobs temporarily retained on the TSL. These exceptions are time-limited and closely monitored for labour market needs.

• Employers should check the TSL regularly, as it may be updated frequently by the Migration Advisory Committee and will eventually be phased out by the end of 2026.

Most care roles, hospitality, logistics, and other jobs that do not meet the new RQF 6 threshold are now ineligible for sponsorship. Employers cannot sponsor new applicants for these categories after 22 July 2025.

The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants is now set at £41,700 a year for most roles.

• Certain “new entrant” roles (including recent graduates and roles listed on the Immigration Salary List) have a reduced threshold of £33,400 a year.
• The occupation-specific “going rate” must still be met, where it is higher than the general threshold.
• Most Health and Care Visa holders paid according to national pay scales are exempt from the general salary increase, with a threshold remaining at £25,000 per year.

• For highly skilled (RQF 6+) jobs: Applications under the new rules can be made for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned from 22 July 2025 onwards.
• For medium-skilled roles on the Temporary Shortage List: You may apply so long as the role is listed, but these options are strictly time-limited and do not allow dependants.
• If you were already assigned a CoS before the new rules, your application can proceed under previous requirements—but future extensions and role changes will be subject to the new salary thresholds and occupation criteria.

• Review the new eligible occupation list and salary thresholds before issuing any CoS after 21 July 2025.
• Prepare for higher pay offers and more rigorous compliance to ensure the sponsored role meets RQF Level 6 requirements.
• The TSL offers only temporary and restricted options for below-degree-level jobs; dependency applications and salary discounts no longer apply for these.
• The closure of overseas recruitment for care workers is immediate; care staff already sponsored before this date are unaffected.

The July 2025 reforms represent a major realignment of the UK Skilled Worker route, emphasising highly skilled migration and aiming to protect the domestic labour market.