On 1st 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 focused primarily on changes to the Skilled Worker route which came into effect on 22 July 2025.
Increase in skill level from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6
Firstly, the Home Office have lifted 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 has resulted in over 120 eligible occupations at RQF Levels 3 -5 being removed from Appendix Skilled Occupations and therefore can no longer be ‘sponsored’ unless the role falls under the Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List. 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 in RQF Level 3 – 5 roles, 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.” The Home Office have made it clear that 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 also confirmed 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) has been 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 Advisory 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 has undoubtedly been the most severely impacted by these 22 July 2025 changes. From this date the ability of Skilled Workers sponsored as care workers and senior care workers to submit entry clearance applications has been removed.
In terms of in country skilled worker applications for care workers and senior care workers, the Statement and subsequent Immigration Rules have confirmed that workers already sponsored in these roles can continue in this route i.e. they will be able to renew their visas and/or apply to work for other sponsors. Further, “…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.”
To make way for this change, the requirement for sponsors to attempt to recruit from the redeployment pool for displaced international care workers has been scrapped.
Increase in salary thresholds for Skilled Workers
Further, the going rates and salary thresholds for Skilled Workers have been increased from £38,700 to £41,700 per annum, or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. For those with a relevant PhD, the minimum salary has increased 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 have increased from £30,960 to £33,400 per year. The going rates for specific occupations are also now higher than they were prior to 22 July 2025.
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.
Increased emphasis on Home Office compliance
As reported by the government, between July 2024 and June 2025 1,948 skilled worker sponsor licence were revoked, which is more than double the number in the previous 12 months (937). This confirms that Home Office compliance action in respect of sponsors is at an all-time high. It has therefore never been more important for licenced sponsors to carry out immediate and thorough audits of their own compliance against immigration legislation and sponsor duties, to avoid them being in a position where they may face revocation of their sponsor licence and/or significant financial penalties for illegal working.
What other changes are in the pipeline?
For an overview of the other plans that were announced in the Immigration White Paper which are yet to be implemented, please find our reflections here. Whilst a white paper does not, by itself, alter the law or the Immigration Rules, it does puts forward changes that the government intends to make in future. Amongst these expected changes are an increase to the immigration skills charge payable by employers, new higher English language requirements and possible changes to the route to settlement from 5 to 10 years!
Need more help?
Immigration law is a complex and constantly evolving field of law. For an overview of any other plans that were announced 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 written by Lisa Mulholland, partner, in our Immigration team.