UK Immigration: Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules 1 July 2025

The UK government announced major changes to the immigration rules which will come into effect on 22 July 2025.   The main changes concerning businesses in respect of Skilled Workers are as follows:

Skills threshold

The required skill level for a Skilled Worker visa reverts to the pre-Brexit position of RQF Level 6 (degree-level). This in practice does not mean that the applicant must hold a degree, it is that the role is deemed to be at graduate level. This change abolishes over 100 eligible occupations, making the number of roles capable of sponsorship more limited, aiming the Skilled Worker route for more senior and specialist roles.

Transitional arrangements

The new rules only apply to those newly applying as Skilled Workers from 22 July 2025. Those already in the UK as a Skilled Worker in an RQF Level 3 (A-Level) role are unaffected. This allows existing Skilled Worker visa holders to continue to renew their visas and change employers without the need to meet the new RQF Level 6 skills threshold.

There will also be time-limited access to roles below RQF Level 6 through the Immigration Salary List and newly created Temporary Shortage List, that will include RQF Level 3-5 occupations.  The Immigration Salary List, which offers a reduced salary threshold for certain occupations is also due to be abolished altogether on 31 December 2026.

An important point to note – Skilled Workers accessing RQF Level 3-5 roles for the first time after 22 July 2025 will not be able to bring their dependants to the UK.

Minimum salary threshold

The Skilled Worker minimum salary threshold will increase to £41,700 (up from £38,700), and the new entrant salary rate will also rise to £33,400 (up from £30,960). Although these increases are not as high as we anticipated, the increases are designed to encourage businesses to invest in the domestic workforce, while also ensuring that overseas workers have the means to support themselves while living in the UK.

Health and Social Care Sector

From 22 July 2025, the social care visa closes for out-of-country applicants.  Those care workers already in the UK and working for their sponsor for at least 3 months prior to their certificate of sponsorship being issued, will be able to switch from another visa route to a Skilled Worker visa until 22 July 2028.  From 22 July 2028, it will no longer be possible to sponsor new entrant care workers altogether.  These changes mean that care homes should assess their current workforce and expediate existing sponsorship plans.

Final thoughts

These changes reflect a fundamental change in how UK businesses can access talent from overseas.  We are expecting further changes to come in the not-too distant future, including raising the Immigration Skills Charge (currently at £5,000 for a 5-year visa), increasing the qualifying residence period for permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to remain, or ILR) from five to 10 years and increasing the level of English language skills required for certain visa categories.

Many of the actual and expected changes to the immigration rules during the rest of 2025 and beyond demonstrate the government's clear and continued commitment to further reduce migration into the UK.  It remains to be seen whether this will have a significant impact on Labour’s other key aim, to boost economic growth.

Rebecca Tester is a partner at Constantine Law, offering advice on all aspects of UK immigration law.

Should you wish to discuss what these changes might mean for your business, and how best to prepare, please get in touch with her: rebecca.tester@constantinelaw.co.uk