What impact will the UK’s latest immigration rules have on skilled workers, businesses, and the wider economy? How do the updated salary thresholds and revised occupation lists reshape the path for those seeking employment in the UK?
In July 2025, the UK Government implemented a significant package of reforms to its immigration system. These changes, outlined in the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 997, were first signalled in the May 2025 white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System.
The reforms represent the first phase of a broader policy strategy aimed at reducing net migration, tightening border control, and ensuring that the immigration system prioritises domestic workforce development.
A key focus of these changes is the Skilled Worker visa route. The reforms impact the eligibility criteria for skilled workers, salary thresholds, occupation requirements, sponsorship obligations, and the rights of dependants.
They also include the closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) to new principal applications and introduce transitional provisions for affected individuals.
This article offers a comprehensive overview of these developments and explains how they affect migrants, employers, and stakeholders across the UK labour market.
What Legal and Administrative Framework Supports These Immigration Reforms?
The new rules are enacted under the authority of the Immigration Act 1971 and have been laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State.
The Home Office prepared an explanatory memorandum to accompany the Statement of Changes, which confirms that the reforms meet all required legal and procedural standards.
The document was formally reviewed by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee.
Key figures involved in the preparation and certification of these rules include Seema Malhotra MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, and Dr Sam Worby, Head of the Simplification and Systems Unit at the Home Office.
This legal framework extends to all four nations of the UK and covers every aspect of migrant entry and stay, employer sponsorship, and visa issuance.
How Have the Salary and Skills Thresholds Changed?
One of the most notable updates in 2025 is the revision of the minimum skill and salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas. These changes were motivated by concerns over abuse, exploitation, and the disproportionate use of the visa route for low-skilled or lower-paid roles.
Previously, jobs eligible for the Skilled Worker visa were required to meet Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 or higher.
However, as of 22 July 2025, this threshold has been raised back to RQF level 6, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree level. The change is designed to ensure that the Skilled Worker visa is used strictly for highly qualified professionals.
The consequences are substantial: around 180 occupations have been removed from the list of eligible roles due to failing to meet the new skills requirement.
Additionally, salary thresholds have increased across the board, reflecting updated earnings data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024 report. These changes finalise the phased salary increases begun in April 2025.
Updated Salary Thresholds (Effective 22 July 2025)
| Category | Previous Threshold | New Threshold |
| General Skilled Worker | £26,200 | £41,700 |
| New Entrants | £20,960 | £30,960 |
| PhD Holders | £34,830 | £37,500 |
| Health and Care Workers | £20,960 | £23,200 |
It is important to note that there are no transitional arrangements for salary increases. The government considers these updates standard practice and expects employers to offer wages that keep pace with UK pay levels.
What Is the Role of the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List?
With the removal of RQF level 3–5 roles from general eligibility, the government has introduced interim mechanisms to allow certain lower-skilled jobs to remain eligible under strict conditions.
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) and the newly created Temporary Shortage List (TSL) identify occupations experiencing legitimate labour shortages. These lists serve as exceptions to the RQF level 6 requirement, offering time-limited access to the Skilled Worker route for designated roles.
The ISL and TSL include roles that have either been flagged in Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviews or deemed critical to the UK’s industrial and economic strategy by the Department for Business and Trade.
However, access to these routes comes with caveats:
- Applicants in occupations on the TSL or ISL cannot bring dependants unless they are already in the UK route before 22 July 2025.
- These roles are scheduled to be removed from the list by the end of 2026.
- The government retains the right to revise or remove listed occupations earlier if compliance issues arise.
This approach reflects a broader government strategy to limit long-term dependence on foreign labour in lower-skilled sectors.
How Have Sponsorship and Employer Compliance Rules Been Updated?
The new rules place a greater burden on UK employers who wish to sponsor skilled migrants. Under the revised system, sponsorship is available only for roles that meet the RQF level 6 standard or appear on the ISL/TSL.
Employers are required to:
- Maintain accurate records of job roles and pay levels
- Undergo compliance checks from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
- Demonstrate evidence of efforts to recruit domestically before applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship
These changes aim to prevent abuse of the sponsorship system and reinforce the government’s emphasis on domestic workforce development.
What Are the Changes Affecting the Health and Social Care Sector?
The adult social care sector has been the subject of growing scrutiny, with documented cases of exploitation, wage violations, and non-compliance. The government has responded by closing the route for new overseas recruitment in care worker roles (codes 6135 and 6136).
As of 22 July 2025:
- New entry clearance applications from abroad for care workers are no longer accepted.
- In-country visa switching remains available until 22 July 2028, provided applicants have been employed by their sponsoring provider for at least three months prior to application.
- Workers switching routes must demonstrate compliance with basic employment standards such as minimum wage and working hours.
The objective is to create a more sustainable and ethical employment structure for adult social care, with a clear expectation for employers to hire and retain UK-based workers.
Why Has the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Been Closed?
The ARAP scheme, introduced to support Afghan citizens who worked with the UK Government, has officially closed to new principal applicants as of 3 PM BST on 1 July 2025.
The closure follows the relocation of more than 21,000 Afghan citizens and family members, and reflects the MOD’s assessment that most eligible individuals have already applied. The scheme had seen a growing backlog of applications, 95% of which were ultimately deemed ineligible.
Applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed, and eligible principal applicants may still sponsor family members.
The government has also confirmed that the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will not accept new referrals. The closure of both schemes marks the final phase of the UK’s Afghan relocation commitments.
What Are the Broader Policy Goals Behind These Changes?
The reforms introduced in 2025 reflect a substantial policy shift driven by the white paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The document outlines a government intention to balance economic needs with tighter migration controls.
Among the key proposals in the white paper:
- Reducing the number of sponsorable roles
- Removing the exemption for care worker recruitment
- Introducing a review of salary discounts and occupation lists
- Enhancing English language requirements for dependants
- Increasing the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 to 10 years, with exceptions
- Tightening student visa compliance for universities
- Phasing out the Graduate visa’s two-year work allowance
These policies reflect a long-term shift in the government’s migration strategy, which places greater responsibility on employers and migrants to contribute to the UK economy through skills, compliance, and integration.
What Is the Expected Impact of These Immigration Reforms?
The impact of these changes will be widespread.
For employers, particularly in sectors like health, hospitality, and construction, the removal of lower-skilled roles from eligibility will require significant adjustments. Compliance costs, recruitment timelines, and access to overseas talent are likely to be affected.
For migrants, the pathway to working and settling in the UK is becoming more restrictive. The requirement to meet higher salary and qualification thresholds may reduce the pool of eligible applicants.
The Home Office has confirmed that an Impact Assessment will be published detailing the full consequences for businesses, charities, the public sector, and affected individuals.
How Will These Changes Be Monitored?
The Statement of Changes includes a provision for ongoing monitoring. The Home Office is required to review the Immigration Rules every five years, with each review determining whether rules should be amended, revoked, or retained.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will play a central role in reviewing salary thresholds, occupation lists, and exemptions. Future Statements of Changes will respond to the MAC’s findings and reflect evolving government priorities.
FAQs About the New UK Skilled Worker Rules
What is the new skill level requirement for Skilled Worker visas?
As of July 2025, applicants must work in roles at RQF level 6 or above, equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree.
Can lower-skilled roles still be eligible for visas?
Yes, but only if they appear on the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List, and for a limited time.
What are the new salary thresholds?
The minimum salary for most roles has risen to £41,700. New entrants and PhD holders are subject to slightly lower thresholds.
Is the care sector still eligible for overseas recruitment?
No, overseas recruitment for care workers is now closed. In-country switching is allowed until 2028 under strict conditions.
Will existing Skilled Worker visa holders be affected?
No, transitional provisions allow current holders to extend their visas and remain under previous rules.
Can dependants still accompany Skilled Workers?
Only Skilled Workers in RQF level 6 roles or those already in the system before July 2025 can bring dependants.
When will the changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain take effect?
A consultation is planned for late 2025. The proposal is to increase the qualifying period from 5 to 10 years for most applicants.
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