Yesterday (1 July 2025), the first highly anticipated Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules was published by the Home Office, following on from their controversial Immigration White Paper published in May 2025. This was accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum. This Statement focuses primarily on changes to the Skilled Worker route which are due to take effect on 22 July 2025 and the closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Scheme with immediate effect.
Skilled Worker route
Increase in skill level from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6
As announced in the Immigration White Paper and confirmed in yesterday’s Statement of Changes, the Home Office are lifting the skills threshold for Skilled Workers back to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6 (mainly graduate professions), from RQF Level 3 (approximately A-Level). This means that around 180 eligible occupations at RQF Levels 3 -5 will soon be removed from Appendix Skilled Occupations and therefore will no longer be able to be ‘sponsored’ unless the role falls under the Temporary Shortage List. A list of the eligible roles can be found in the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. The Appendix has been restructured, presenting the eligible occupations and going rates for RQF level 6+ in Tables 1,2 and 3 and occupations at lower RQF levels in Tables 1a, 2aa and 3a.
In terms of workers who already hold Skilled Worker visas, the Explanatory Memorandum states that “for now transitional arrangements…exempt workers who are already in the Skilled Worker route (or have been sponsored for an application which is later successful) when the changes come into effect from the increase to the skill threshold. As set out in the Immigration White Paper, this enables existing Skilled Worker visa holders to continue to renew their visas, change employment and take supplementary employment, in occupations below RQF level 6. These transitional arrangements will not be in place indefinitely and will be reviewed in due course.”
Introduction of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
The Statement of Changes confirms that where there are genuine labour shortages, there will still be opportunities for employers to recruit overseas workers for roles that fall below the RQF Level 6 threshold, but this will be restricted to critical jobs that support the UK’s industrial strategy. A new interim Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is being introduced to facilitate this, which will in time fully replace the existing Immigration Salary List. Roles on this list will be identified by the Migration Advisor Committee (MAC) following a thorough review. However, applicants sponsored under the new Temporary Shortage List will no longer be permitted to bring their dependants to the UK. This does not apply for those already in the Skilled Worker route before the changes come into effect. In the interim, we will see an expanded Immigration Salary List, containing the existing roles on the list, plus occupations that are at RQF Levels 3-5 which the MAC have identified as being in shortage.
The end of the care worker visa for new applicants from overseas
The adult social care sector will undoubtedly be the most severely impacted by the changes in this recent announcement. These changes close entry clearance applications for Skilled Workers sponsored as care workers and senior care workers from 22 July 2025 and with that the requirement for sponsors to attempt to recruit from the redeployment pool for displaced international care workers will be scrapped.
In terms of in country skilled worker applications for care workers and senior care workers, the Statement confirms 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.”
Increase in salary thresholds for Skilled Workers
Further, the going rates and salary thresholds for Skilled Workers are being increased. From July 2025, the minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £38,700 to £41,700, or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. For those with a relevant PhD, the minimum salary will increase from £34,830 to £37,500. Tradeable points for workers being sponsored on a role on the Immigration Salary List (at least for the time being) and new entrants will increase from £30,960 to £33,400 per year. The going rates for specific occupations are also increasing.
It was clarified in the Memorandum that “there are no transitional arrangements relating to the updates to salary requirements. This is also standard practice, as the pay of sponsored workers is expected to generally progress at the same rate as the pay of other workers in the UK.” This means that the new Rules on minimum salary will apply to applicants who are extending their visas or changing employers/roles after 22 July 2025.
These new Rules applicable to Skilled Workers and other work routes will come into effect on 22 July 2025. Any applications using a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned before this date will be considered under the current Rules.
Immediate closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy was launched in April 2021. This scheme was for Afghan citizens who have worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles and included “an offer of relocation to the UK for those deemed eligible by the Ministry of Defence and who are deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office.” As of 31 March 2025, 21,316 principal applicants and their family members have been relocated to the UK under this scheme.
This route is now, since 15:00 on 1 July 2025, immediately closed to new principal applicants. All applications made under ARAP that were received by the Ministry of Defence before the closure of the scheme will continue to be considered.
For an overview of any other plans that were announces in the Immigration White Paper, please find our reflections here.
Need more help?
Immigration law is a complex and constantly evolving field of law. For an overview of any other plans that were announces in the Immigration White Paper, please find our reflections here.
Our Immigration team has a wealth of experience in assisting clients with managing their sponsor licences and the recruitment of international workers. If you require immigration support you can speak to one of our highly experienced professionals by calling 0345 450 5558 or by emailing enquiries@stephens-scown.co.uk.
This article was co-written by Lisa Mulholland, partner, and Rebecca Van der Veer, paralegal, in our Immigration team.