🇬🇧 Key UK Immigration & Skilled Worker Law Changes (Effective 22 July 2025)
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🇬🇧 Key UK Immigration & Skilled Worker Law Changes (Effective 22 July 2025)
🎓 1. Skill Level Raised to Degree-Level
Only roles at RQF Level 6+ (graduate-level) qualify for Skilled Worker visas.
About 111–180 occupations, including care assistants, chefs, retail managers, and bricklayers, will lose eligibility unless they appear on a new shortage occupation list.
💷 2. Salary Thresholds Increased
The general Skilled Worker minimum salary rises from £38,700 to £41,700.
PhD-relevant and specialist roles have higher salary floors too.
📋 3. New Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
Replacing the Immigration Salary List for RQF 3–5 roles, the TSL includes only 52 critical occupations.
No dependants allowed on these visas and no salary discounts apply.
👵 4. Care Worker Route Closure
Skilled Worker visas for Care Workers (SOC 6135/6136) end for new overseas applicants on 22 July 2025.
In-country visa switching remains possible until 22 July 2028 for those with at least 3 months continuous employment.
📌 5. Transitional Provisions
Roles sponsored or applied for before 21 July 2025 continue under old rules.
Salary threshold changes apply immediately for extensions or job switches after 22 July.
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🔍 Why This Matters
Employers: Need to fast-track Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for roles below degree level before 21 July, review salaries, and adjust hiring strategies.
Applicants: Must secure degree-level roles with higher salaries.
Care Sector: Must focus on domestic recruitment and retention due to the end of overseas entry-level hiring
🛠 What You Should Do Now
Step Action
1 Identify any skilled worker roles at RQF Level 3–5 in your organisation.
2 Assign CoS before 21 July for those roles if still needed.
3 Check and budget for the new £41,700+ salary threshold.
4 Confirm if your job is on the Temporary Shortage List and understand restrictions.
5 In care, review in-country visa switching up to 2028 and strengthen local hiring/training
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