The UK government has introduced a major overhaul of its visa sponsorship system, with new rules coming into force on 22 July 2025. The reforms, which raise both skill and salary thresholds, are set to reshape how employers recruit overseas talent and manage existing sponsored workers.
Skilled Worker Visa: Higher Skill Bar
From 22 July, roles must now meet Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6, equivalent to graduate-level positions, to qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Over 100 mid-skill roles (previously eligible at RQF 3–5) have been removed unless they appear on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
Transitional arrangements allow workers already in RQF 3–5 roles to extend or switch visas until 22 July 2028.
The Appendix Skilled Occupations has been restructured, separating roles by skill level. Employers must check both the skill level and other criteria before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (Cos).
Skilled Worker Visa: Increased Salary Thresholds
The minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen significantly:
Standard threshold (Option A): £41,700 per year or £17.13/hour.
PhD-relevant roles (Option B): £37,500.
STEM PhD, new entrants, and ISL roles (Option C/D/E): £33,400.
Health and Care roles (Options F–J): £25,000–£31,300 depending on code.
Sponsors must pay the higher of the annual threshold or the occupation-specific going rate.
New Immigration Salary and Temporary Shortage Lists
Two new lists allow a limited number of sub-graduate roles to remain eligible for sponsorship until 31 December 2026:
ISL includes roles in national shortage (e.g., laboratory technicians, bricklayers).
TSL is a temporary carve-out for roles such as IT support technicians and logistics managers.
Applicants sponsored under RQF 3–5 roles on these lists cannot bring dependents if sponsored after 22 July 2025.
Closure of the Care Worker Route
The Health and Care Worker visa route for new overseas care workers (SOC 6135/6136) has closed for new applicants. Only in-country workers who have been on a UK payroll for at least three months can switch into these roles until 22 July 2028.
GBM and Scale-Up Visa Changes
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) and Scale-Up visa salary thresholds have been raised:Senior/Specialist Worker: £52,500.
Scale-Up visa: £39,100.
Graduate Trainee: £27,300.
Only roles assessed at RQF 6 or above remain eligible for new sponsorships, with sub-graduate codes removed from these categories.What Employers Must Do
The changes mean employers need to: Review job roles and salary structures to meet the new thresholds.
Plan workforce pipelines strategically, especially for roles that no longer qualify.
Prepare for ILR (settlement) applications, as salaries at the time of applying must meet the higher thresholds.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
