2025 Updates to Skilled Worker Visa

Today, the government published a new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 997) which will implement major reforms previously announced in the White Paper "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" on 12 May 2025. These changes are expected to come into force later this month.

Changes to the Skilled Worker route

The following changes will take effect on 22 July 2025. An application using a certificate of sponsorship assigned on or before 21 July 2025 will be considered in accordance with the current rules.

Increase in Skill Level

Since 2020, the eligible occupations list has been aligned with Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 - roughly equivalent to A-level skill. This will be raised to RQF level 6 which will require a minimum of a bachelor's degree. The full list of RQF 6 qualifications can be seen below.

• degree apprenticeship

• degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts (BA) hons, bachelor of science (BSc) hons

• graduate diploma

• level 6 award

• level 6 certificate

• level 6 diploma

• level 6 NVQ

• ordinary degree without honours

This increase in skill level will see the removal of over 100 jobs from the Skilled Worker occupations list.

Increase in Salary Threshold

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker route will increase regardless of which category an applicant is relying on. These salary requirements are increasing in line with the latest Office for National Statistics figures. The full set of increases for each points option is as follows:

• Option A – The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £41,700 per year; and

  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

The previous threshold for Option A was £38,700.

• Option B – The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £37,500 per year; and

  • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code

  The previous threshold for Option B was £34,830.

  
  

• Option C – The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £33,400 per year; and

  • 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code;

The previous threshold for Option C was £30,960.

• Option D – The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £33,400 per year; and

  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code

The previous threshold for Option D was £30,960.

• Option E – The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £33,400 per year and

  • 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code

The previous threshold for Option E was £30,960.

• Option F – The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £31,300 per year; and

  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code

The previous threshold for Option F was £29,000.

• Option G -The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £28,200 per year; and

  • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code

The previous threshold for Option G was £26,100.

Removal of Health and Care Worker visa

The Skilled Worker provisions for care workers and senior care workers will end on 22 July 2025. Those already in the UK on this route can continue to extend until 22 July 2028.

Introduction of a Temporary Shortage List

Certain occupations will fall within the labour market shortage category and form part of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), permitting sponsorship for eligible roles below RQF level 6. This will allow employers to sponsor individuals for positions in short supply as long as the certificate of sponsorship is assigned before 31 December 2026. Applicants sponsored for a TSL position will not be allowed to bring any dependents. The full Temporary Shortage List can be found below:

How We Can Help

As one of the most popular visa categories, the Skilled Worker route has undergone many changes throughout the years. This latest amendment may be concerning for anyone already in the UK or those planning to apply in the near future. Contact us to discuss how these changes might affect your visa, extension, or route to settlement.