Major Changes to the Skilled Worker Immigration Route

On 1 July 2025, the Government published their Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules which will implement some of the key policies from their May 2025 White Paper on Immigration reform. The changes will apply from 22 July 2025 and will have a significant impact on Skilled Worker migrants and sponsors.  The changes include:

• Higher skill threshold requirements: The minimum skill requirement for sponsored occupations after 22 July 2025 will increase from RQF 3 (A-level or equivalent) to RQF 6 (degree level) and above. This means that 111 occupations which were previously eligible will no longer qualify, unless they are included on the revised Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. 
   
• Revised salary thresholds and going rates: The general minimum salary for Skilled Worker sponsorship has been raised from £38,700 to £41,700 for first-time applicants applying after 22 July 2025. This means that the salary for a Skilled Worker applicant will need to equal or exceed £41,700 and the applicable going rate for their occupation code. Going rates have also increased across all occupations, although the increases are relatively minor. Further increases to both the revised salary thresholds and the going rates are expected in autumn 2025, following a review by the Migration Advisory Committee ('MAC'). In many instances, the increased salary requirements will apply to Skilled Workers extending their leave after 22 July 2025. Advice should be sought on the specific salary requirements for every application, as this has now become increasingly complex. 
   
• Revised salary lists – the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List: Occupations at the RQF 3 to 5 level will remain eligible for sponsorship for new applicants if they appear on either the expanded Immigration Salary List, or the new interim Temporary Shortage List. However, migrants sponsored in roles appearing on these lists will be subject to different conditions compared to the 'standard' Skilled Worker (sponsored in an RQF 6 role or above). The Home Office has stated that the Immigration Salary List will be "…phased out…" and the entries on the Temporary Shortage List are "…time limited and conditional." Removal dates for occupations have been included on both lists. For most roles, this is 31 December 2026. Although the Government “…reserves the right to bring that date forward if compliance issues present on these lists.”. Significantly, workers sponsored on either list at RQF levels 3 to 5 will be unable to bring dependants with them to the UK, unlike workers who will be sponsored at an RQF 6 level or above. 
   
• Skilled workers sponsored at RQF levels 3 to 5 already in the UK before 22 July 2025: At this stage, Skilled Workers already sponsored below RQF 6 will remain eligible to extend their leave and change their employment. However, the Home Office has stated that "These transitional arrangements will not be in place indefinitely and will be reviewed in due course." Based on the wording in the Explanatory Memorandum, it appears that dependents of migrants sponsored at RQF levels 3 to 5 who are already in the UK will also be able to extend their current leave. However, the Home Office is yet to explicitly confirm this.   

In the lead up to 22 July 2025, it is critical that sponsors undertake a thorough review of their talent pipeline and recruitment strategy to identify the occupation codes relevant to them and whether these will be impacted by the changes. 

If you would like advice on your organisation's ongoing recruitment strategy in light of the Skilled Worker changes, please get in touch with the Boodle Hatfield Immigration team who would be happy to assist.