The UK’s 2025 immigration rules have significantly modified the contours of the Skilled Worker visa, with major shift starting on 22 July. The UK government is undergoing a complete reset of its immigration system, with changes approved by the Parliament on July 1, effective from July 22.
An initial reduction to the list of jobs eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa will take effect on 22 July 2025. The revised list will be in place until the end of 2026; the Migration Advisory Committee is reviewing which medium-skilled jobs should be on the list beyond that.
New Rules from July 22
The end of overseas recruitment of care workers is also confirmed for 22 July 2025. People already sponsored for a social care visa by that date will not be affected.
In addition, the department has announced that changes to English language standards will be implemented “by the end of this year”, alongside an increase to the immigration skills charge and a new framework for family visas.
Under the new regulations, more than 100 occupations will no longer be able to access the immigration system, skills and wage limits will increase, and foreign recruiting of care workers will cease.
The new regulations are raising the expertise level required for skilled worker visas. The skills threshold for Skilled Worker Visas is being raised to RQF 6 (graduate level), excluding 112 previously eligible RQF 3-5 occupations (from all sectors).
In response to widespread misuse and exploitation, the social care worker visa route for overseas recruitment will be closed.
Workers in occupations on the temporary shortage list will no longer be able to bring dependents and will not be eligible for salary and visa fee concessions.
The general skilled worker wage threshold will rise from £38,700 to £41,700. The general pay criteria for skilled worker candidates who applied prior to April 2024 will increase from £29,000 to £31,300. Additionally, the salary criterion for PhD holders will be lifted.
The income threshold for the majority of Health and Care Visa holders, who are compensated based on national pay rates, remains at £25,000.
In order to be evaluated under the present regulations, employers must provide Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for both new and renewed visa applications by July 22, 2025. They must remember that visas cannot be renewed more than three months before to the commencement date of the CoS, and that CoS are valid for three months from the date of issuance.
The UK’s Immigration White Paper introduces significant changes to its immigration system, aiming to restore order and reduce reliance on overseas, lower-skilled recruitment.
UK has also announced that it will abolish the previous government’s immigration salary list.
By the end of this year, there will be additional changes, including an increase in immigration skills charges, increased language requirements, and a new family policy framework.
Permanent Residence Requirements
The standard qualifying period for permanent residence will be increased under the government’s proposals. The default will be settlement after ten years, rather than five years at present, but some people will be able to qualify earlier.
Under this “earned settlement” proposal, there will be a shorter pathway than ten years for people who have made “Points-Based contributions to the UK economy and society. The white paper says there will be a consultation on this “later this year”, meaning that there will not be changes straight away.