Major Overhaul of UK Immigration Rules: Key Changes for Employers

The Home Office has today, 1 July 2025, published a significant Statement of Changes to the UK's Immigration Rules (HC 997). These changes, which primarily come into force on 22 July 2025, represent the first phase of reforms outlined in the government's recent Immigration White Paper and will have a substantial impact on businesses that sponsor overseas workers.

The new rules introduce a major overhaul of the Skilled Worker route, including higher skill and salary thresholds, new restrictions for the social care sector, and the immediate closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) to new applicants.

Key Changes to the Skilled Worker Route

1. Increased Skill Threshold

The minimum skill threshold for the Skilled Worker route is being raised from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 (A-level equivalent) back to RQF level 6 (bachelor's degree level). This significant change will reduce the number of eligible occupations by approximately 180, focusing sponsorship on graduate-level roles.

• Transitional Arrangements: Workers who are already sponsored under the Skilled Worker route before the changes take effect will be exempt from this new skill threshold. This allows them to extend their visa, change employers, and take up supplementary employment in roles below RQF level 6. However, the government has noted these arrangements are not indefinite and will be reviewed.

  
  

2. Higher Salary Thresholds

In line with the latest ONS earnings data, salary thresholds have been increased across all sponsored work routes. There are no transitional arrangements for these salary hikes; all applicants, including those extending their visas, must meet the new rates for applications made on or after 22 July 2025.

Key salary increases include:

• £41,700 – New minimum salary for most Skilled Worker applicants (up from £38,700).

• £52,500 – New minimum for the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route (up from £45,800).

• £37,500 – New minimum for applicants with a relevant PhD.

• £33,400 – New minimum for New Entrants and those on the Immigration Salary List.

• £31,300 – New minimum for those extending in a role they were sponsored for before 4 April 2024 (up from £29,000).

  
  

3. New Rules for Shortage Occupations and Dependants

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is being phased out and replaced by a new, time-limited Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for roles below RQF level 6.

• Crucially, workers sponsored in roles at RQF levels 3-5 on either the ISL or the new TSL will not be permitted to bring dependants. This does not affect workers already in the route or those sponsored in occupations at RQF level 6 or above.

  
  

4. Closure of Adult Social Care Route to Overseas Applicants

Citing concerns over non-compliance and exploitation, the government is closing entry clearance applications for care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136).

• New applications from outside the UK will not be accepted from 22 July 2025.

• A transitional period will allow individuals already in the UK on other visa routes to switch into these roles until 22 July 2028, provided they have been legally working for their sponsoring employer for at least three months.

  
  

Immediate Closure of Afghan Resettlement Scheme

In a move that departs from the standard 21-day notice period, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was closed to new principal applications effective 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. The government stated this was to prevent a surge in last-minute applications and to focus resources on processing the existing backlog. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is also closing to new referrals.

Next Steps for Businesses

We strongly recommend that employers review these comprehensive changes to understand their impact on recruitment and workforce planning. Key actions to consider include:

• Reviewing Recruitment Plans: Assess your current and future hiring needs against the new RQF level 6 skill threshold.

• Auditing Salaries: Ensure that salaries for current and future sponsored workers will meet the updated, higher thresholds.

• Expediting Applications: For any planned hires in roles that will become ineligible, or to benefit from the current rules, you should aim to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and have the worker apply before 22 July 2025.

• Understanding Dependant Rules: Factor the new restrictions on dependants for sub-degree level shortage roles into your hiring strategy and communications with potential candidates.

Contact Us

The immigration landscape is shifting significantly. Should you have any questions or require assistance navigating these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our expert immigration team is on hand to discuss the specific implications for your organisation and help you build compliant and effective sponsorship strategies.