The UK immigration landscape has fundamentally shifted. On 22 July 2025, the government implemented sweeping changes that will impact thousands of professionals, employers, and businesses across the country.
Whether you're a hiring manager, an international professional, or simply interested in UK policy developments, here's what you need to know about these game-changing reforms.
1. Skill-Level Threshold Increased
- Minimum required skill level for new Skilled Worker visas moved from RQF Level 3 (A‑level) to RQF Level 6 (degree level).
- As a result, around 180 occupations are no longer eligible unless included on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or existing Immigration Salary List (ISL).
- Transitional provisions allow current visa-holders or pending applicants to stay or switch roles—but only temporarily.
2. Skilled Worker Visas Just Got More Expensive
The financial bar has been raised significantly:
- Salary threshold increase: From £38,700 to £41,700 annually
- Immediate effect: No grace period - applies to all applications from 22 July onwards
- Impact on renewals: Even existing visa holders face higher requirements when renewing
- Regional challenges: This particularly affects businesses outside London where salaries tend to be lower
3. Introduction of Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
- A new TSL replaces the ISL for eligible RQF 3–5 occupations, identified under the Modern Industrial Strategy
- Roles on the TSL have stricter rules: no dependants, and list set to expire on 31 December 2026 (except adult social care)
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will periodically review TSL roles
4. Limits on Care Worker Routes
- New overseas Care Worker (SOC 6135) and Senior Care Worker (SOC 6136) visas are closed from 22 July 2025.
- Workers already in-country or employed for 3+ months can extend or switch until July 2028, after which these codes will be removed
- Social Care Worker visa: Route permanently closed to new applicants
5. Dependants Restricted for Lower-Skilled Roles
- Skilled Workers in RQF 3–5 roles (under TSL/ISL) cannot sponsor dependants, with narrow exceptions
- Higher-skilled roles (RQF 6+) retain dependent rights.
6. Over 100 Occupations Removed from Eligible List
The government has substantially narrowed job eligibility:
- Major reduction: 100+ occupations no longer qualify for Skilled Worker visas
- Cross-sector impact: Multiple industries affected, from hospitality to manufacturing
- Immediate effect: Changes apply to all new applications
- Strategic review needed: Employers must reassess their international recruitment strategies.
7. Side Employment Rules Tightened
Skilled Worker visa holders face new restrictions on secondary employment:
- New requirement: Second jobs must also meet degree-level or salary list criteria
- Grandfathering protection: Existing visa holders (pre-July 2025) retain current flexibility
- Temporary safeguard: Protection exists but isn't permanent
- Income impact: Many professionals may lose supplementary income opportunities.
✅ Employer Action Points
- Audit job roles: check skill levels and adjust salary bands to meet new requirements.
- Prepare for TSL rules: more limited entry for lower-skilled hires—no dependants.
- Review care sector recruitment and in-country visa strategies through 2028.
- Update budgets: salaries and related visa costs will increase.
- Keep informed: future reforms (e.g. long-term settlement, student visa rules) are expected.
🧭 What This Means for the Workforce
- A shift toward a more high-skilled migration system, with fewer lower-skilled migrants.
- Employers in tech, engineering, health, and creative industries may still recruit at lower levels—but with limits on dependant visas and only where officially listed.
- Likely increase in labour shortages in key sectors (e.g., care, hospitality, logistics) unless businesses invest more in domestic recruitment and training.
💭 Final Thoughts
The UK is clearly pivoting toward a highly selective, skills-focused immigration system. These changes represent the most significant shift in UK immigration policy in years, with implications that extend far beyond individual visa applications.
For professionals and businesses operating in the UK market, adaptation isn't optional—it's essential for survival and growth in this new landscape.