Major changes to the Immigration Rules for Skilled Workers from 22 July 2025

New Immigration Rules which will be implemented from 22 July 2025 and see skills and salary thresholds rise, and more than 100 occupations no longer granted access to the immigration system.

Changes on 22 July 2025

The new rules will be implemented on 22 July 2025. This means that if an application has been made using a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) assigned up to and including 21 July 2025, the current (old) Rules apply. For applications made using a CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025, the new Rules on skill level and salary level will apply.

Skill threshold 

From 22 July 2025, the skill threshold for new Skilled Workers will be set at RQF level 6, which is for graduate level occupations.

RQF 3 -5 roles are still eligible for ongoing sponsorship for candidates who were granted permission as a Skilled Worker before 22 July 2025, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then. This applies to extension applications, change of employment applications, and supplementary work.

Otherwise, RQF 3-5 roles will only be eligible for sponsorship for new candidates if they are on the Immigration Salary List (25 occupations) or on the Temporary Shortage List (52 occupations)

Roughly 100 occupations will no longer be eligible for sponsorship for new candidates.

Salary thresholds 

From 22 July 2025, the general threshold and the going rates will increase.

The general threshold for new candidates from 22 July will be £41,700, while the general threshold for candidates who were first granted permission in the route prior to 4 April 2024, and Health and Care ASHE salary roles will be £31,300. 

There are still reductions to the general threshold and going rates in place for PhD holders, new entrants and to the general threshold for roles on Immigration Salary List. 

Going rates for each occupation code will also increase. The new rates are applicable when assigning a new CoS.

Temporary Shortage List

A Temporary Shortage List will be added to the Immigration Rules from 22 July 2025. 

This will only contain occupations at RQF levels 3-5 in sectors identified as being important for the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8). 

For occupations to be added or remain on the Temporary Shortage List, the Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) will expect there to be an appropriate plan in place setting out how employers will play their role in developing domestic skills.

It is currently proposed that the TSL will only be available to be used for an application made using a CoS issued by a sponsor to an applicant before 31 December 2026.

Importantly, workers sponsored in occupations on the TSL at RQF levels 3-5 will not be able to bring dependants. This does not apply to workers sponsored in occupations at RQF levels 3-5 who are already in the Skilled Worker route and who were able to bring dependants before these changes come into effect.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been commissioned to conduct a review of the TSL including occupations, salaries and benefits. Following their review, some occupations may be removed or added to the list. The list be extended beyond the current cut off at end 2026. 

Immigration Salary List

The current Immigration Salary list, which provides a discount to the general salary threshold for certain occupations, will operate alongside the Temporary Shortage List. This will remain the same but will have about 10 occupations added to it. 

When an existing sponsored worker on the ISL next applies to extend, change employer or settle, they must meet any applicable uprated going rate and general threshold salary rates that come into force on 22 July 2025. 

As with the TSL, entries on the ISL are scheduled to lapse on 31 December 2026 (22 July 2028 for care workers and senior care workers), and the Government has reserved the right to bring that deadline date forward.