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Emigration and immigration

Home Office Reform to the Skilled Worker Route

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK Home Office has announced a series of reforms to the immigration system, with immediate effect. The changes, outlined in the Statement of Changes HC 997, will significantly impact the Skilled Worker Visa route. The most notable changes include increasing the skills and salary thresholds for sponsored workers, removing overseas recruitment for care workers, and reducing the number of eligible occupations for new entrants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The skills and salary thresholds for Skilled Worker applicants have been increased. Workers must now be sponsored for a job in an occupation skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above.
  • The general threshold for sponsorship under Option A has risen from £38,700pa to £41,700pa, while other options, such as PhD holders, will have reduced salary thresholds.
  • Overseas recruitment for care workers will no longer be possible for new entrants to the Skilled Worker route, effective 22 July 2025.
  • The number of eligible occupations for new entrants has been reduced, from approximately 390 to around 180 (with 111 occupations removed).
  • Transitional arrangements will exempt existing Skilled Worker visa holders from the increase to the skill threshold.
  • The Immigration White Paper, published in May 2025, outlined plans to introduce a Temporary Shortage List to replace the Immigration Salary List.
  • The Temporary Shortage List will include 1243 occupations, all at RQF levels 3-5, but with some exceptions, such as adult social care.
  • Workers sponsored in occupations on the Temporary Shortage List will not be able to bring dependants, with some exceptions, such as for occupations at RQF 6 or above.

Statistics:

  • The number of eligible occupations for new entrants has been reduced by around 180, with 111 occupations removed.
  • The general threshold for sponsorship under Option A has risen by £3,000 (from £38,700pa to £41,700pa).
  • The Temporary Shortage List will include 1243 occupations, all at RQF levels 3-5.
  • Transitional arrangements will exempt approximately 400,000 existing Skilled Worker visa holders from the increase to the skill threshold.

Sources:

  • Statement of Changes HC 997, 01 July 2025
  • Immigration White Paper, May 2025
  • Explanatory Memorandum, 01 July 2025
  • Mondaq, July 2025
  • Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers, July 2025 (Catherine Taroni)

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