On 1 July 2025, the Home Office published a significant Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 997), marking a fundamental overhaul of the UK’s legal migration framework. These changes, which will take effect from 22 July 2025, implement key proposals from the Government’s ‘Restoring Control Over the Immigration System’ White Paper and signal a decisive move towards a skills-led, domestically-focused immigration model.
What is happening?
The Skilled Worker route will be reserved for occupation that necessitates RQF Level 6 qualifications (a UK bachelor’s degree equivalent). Although the explanatory memorandum indicates some 180 jobs will be taken out of the Appendix Skilled Occupations list, the Government press release quotes 111 fewer occupations. This shift will not influence individuals already on the Skilled Worker route in positions beneath RQF level 6, but the explanatory memorandum says that these “transitional arrangements will not be in place indefinitely and will be reviewed in due course”
The standard salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route will increase from the present level of £38,700 to £41,700 and the new entrant rate will increase from £30,960 to £33,400.
Role-specific going rates for the majority of jobs will rise as well. For illustration:
Financial Managers and Directors (Code 1131): £70,000 → £75,100
HR Managers and Directors (Code 1136): £49,400 → £52,900
Mechanical Engineers (Code 2122): £42,500 → £46,800
Programmers and software development specialists (Code 2134): £49,400 → £54,700
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will examine the list and report on its continuation after 2026.
The Health and Care Worker visa pathway for care workers and senior workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) will be shut to new foreign applicants. This is in line with the Government’s aim to minimize dependence on foreign recruitment in industries that have experienced exploitation. New foreign applications will no longer be considered, but transitional arrangements for in-country applications or transfers from other visa pathways will still be allowed until 22 July 2028.
A fundamental policy change is that industries need to have a workforce plan focusing on UK-based worker training and retention. If not, they could lose access to the immigration system altogether. This applies most especially to the health and social care, hospitality, and logistics sectors, which have traditionally used migrant labour.
There will be a new Temporary Shortage List for occupations below RQF Level 6. This list will be short-term until 2026 end and will be restricted to occupations considered critical to the UK’s industrial strategy or infrastructure delivery. Specifically:
No salary or visa fee discounts will be relevant to occupations on the Temporary Shortage List.
Dependants will not be eligible under this route.
What this means for sponsors
These are important changes for UK sponsors. Sponsors need to act now to:
Consider sponsoring jobs at the existing threshold by 22 July deadline, where relevant. Applications on a Certificate of Sponsorship issued prior to 22 July 2025 will be processed under the existing rules.
Review workforce plans and training strategies for alignment with the new skill levels.
Audit existing visa sponsorships and make transitional compliance arrangements.
Track MAC reviews and Home Office news for future developments.
Failure to evolve may lead to substantial operational disruption, especially for firms with high exposure to the roles soon to be barred from the immigration system.
Forward looking
Additional changes slated for late 2025 include:
A rise in the Immigration Skills Charge.
Increased English language standards across visa routes.
A new ‘family policy framework’ to be laid before Parliament.
This article is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice.
