Immigration Rules Changes July 2025

The recent proposals outlined in the immigration white paper were notably absent from the government’s update last week.

However, a further Statement of Changes has now been published, bringing significant amendments to the Skilled Worker route.

The full Statement of Changes and its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum are now available for review.

This blog will explain the latest updates and what this means for those using the Skilled Worker route.

Key changes

Here is a list of the key planned changes:

• Ending the recruitment of care worker roles on the Health and Care Worker Visa because of reports of exploitation of the route and workers.
• Increasing salary thresholds for Skilled Worker Visa applicants.
• Increasing the skill thresholds for Skilled Worker Visa applicants to a degree or similar level of qualification (currently set at the A-level standard). 4. Reducing the number of jobs that will qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa by 111 occupations.
• Introducing a temporary shortage occupation list to provide for time-limited immigration for critical jobs supporting the UK’s industrial strategy or key infrastructure projects, where the skill level will be lower than degree level.
• Workers employed through the temporary shortage list will not be able to bring dependents with them on Dependant Visas.
• Salary threshold and visa fee discounts will be removed from visas offered to workers on the temporary shortage list.
• The occupations included on the temporary shortage list are time-limited until the end of 2026 and will only remain beyond that date if the Migration Advisory Committee recommend it.

The changes will take effect from 22 July 2025.

Increases to Skills and Salary Thresholds

The qualification threshold for Skilled Worker roles is being raised from RQF Level 3 (as lowered in 2020) back to RQF Level 6. According to the explanatory memorandum, this adjustment will remove approximately 180 occupations from the list of eligible roles, while the press release references a reduction of 111 roles in Appendix Skilled Occupations.

These changes will not apply to individuals already working in roles below RQF Level 6 within the Skilled Worker route. However, the explanatory memorandum makes it clear that these transitional arrangements are temporary and will be reviewed in due course.

Salary thresholds are also being updated across the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up routes, in line with data from the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Notably, there are no transitional arrangements for these salary increases, meaning all applicants, including those already on these routes, must meet the new thresholds at the point of their next application.

Introduction of a Temporary Shortage List

As anticipated in the white paper, the Appendix Immigration Salary List is being phased out and will be replaced with a new, time-limited Temporary Shortage List for roles below RQF Level 6. This Statement of Changes establishes interim measures, including:

1. An expanded Immigration Salary List, incorporating existing entries and additional RQF Level 3–5 occupations identified as being in shortage by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in its 2023 and 2024 reviews.
2. An interim Temporary Shortage List, reflecting occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 that the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury have designated as priorities under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

These changes are found under change APP SW7, which inserts the Temporary Shortage List in a new paragraph SW 6.1A of the Immigration Rules.

At present, we will have two shortage occupation lists, although roles on the Temporary Shortage List are intended to be removed by the end of 2026, with the government reserving the right to bring this date forward.

Importantly, applicants for roles included in these lists will not be permitted to bring dependants, although this restriction will not apply to existing Skilled Worker visa holders in those roles.

Closure of the Care Worker Route to New Entrants

People will no longer be able to come to the UK as care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) as these roles are closed to entry clearance applications from 22 July 2025. The explanatory memorandum states that:

The changes also provide for in-country applications, for those switching from other visa routes, to continue for a transition period until 22 July 2028, at which point these occupations will be removed from the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Workers must have been legally working for the provider that is sponsoring them for at least 3 months before the date their certificate of sponsorship was issued to them by their sponsor.

This requirement supports continuity of employment, and provides assurance that workers are suitable to be sponsored to work in the sector, and that sponsors and workers have been in an employer-employee relationship for a reasonable period of time, allowing both parties to demonstrate compliance with basic employment law (including National Minimum Wage regulations) and mitigate risks relating to potential exploitation.

The ability for people to switch into these roles in the country will be kept under review. As there will be no more entry clearance applications, the requirement for sponsors to try to recruit from the existing pool of skilled workers in need of a new sponsor before sponsoring someone from overseas is being removed.

Who is affected by the change in skills threshold for the Skilled Worker visa?

The increase from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 affects new applicants seeking to apply under the Skilled Worker route. Roles that no longer meet the RQF Level 6 threshold will no longer qualify for sponsorship under the updated rules.

However, individuals already in roles at RQF Level 3–5 prior to the change can continue in their current jobs under transitional arrangements. These arrangements are temporary and subject to future review, so affected workers should plan accordingly and seek advice if nearing an extension or renewal of their visa under the previous eligibility criteria.

Can Skilled Workers already in the UK continue to work in roles now removed from the eligible occupation list?

Yes, those who already hold Skilled Worker visas for occupations that have been removed under the new threshold may continue working in their current roles for now. The government has confirmed that transitional arrangements will allow existing visa holders in lower-skilled roles (below RQF Level 6) to remain in the route.

However, these provisions are not permanent, and their continued availability is subject to review. Individuals should be aware that future extensions or settlement applications may require meeting updated criteria and are advised to monitor further guidance or consult with a solicitor as policy evolves.

What happens to care workers already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?

Care workers and senior care workers already in the UK under the Skilled Worker route can continue working and extend their stay, provided they meet the updated conditions. From 22 July 2025, new overseas applications will close, but in-country switching from other visa categories remains allowed until 22 July 2028.

Applicants must have been legally employed by their sponsor for at least three months before being issued a Certificate of Sponsorship. These changes aim to reduce exploitation and strengthen compliance. While the route is closing to new entrants from abroad, existing workers should still have viable pathways to remain.

Speak to our solicitors about changes to the immigration rules

If you are unsure how the latest changes to UK immigration rules affect your situation, our specialist immigration lawyers at BHD Solicitors are here to help.

We can provide clear, practical advice tailored to your visa category, whether you are studying, working, joining family, or applying for long-term settlement.

Call us on 020 8681 5128 or email enquiries@bhdsolicitors.co.uk to arrange a consultation and protect your immigration status with expert legal support.