Important changes to the Skilled Worker route

Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List

Sponsors will still be able to sponsor below degree level staff where a job appears on the Immigration Salary List that includes occupations at RQF level 3-5 and where the Migration Advisory Committee has judged it to be a shortage occupation. The Immigration Salary List will however be phased out in future changes to the Immigration Rules and a removal date of 31 December 2026 appears beside all the occupations which appear on the Immigration Salary List. There is a new Temporary Shortage List set out within the Immigration Rules and sponsors will also be able to sponsor the roles set out there which include RQF level 3-5 jobs. As the name suggests however, this is only a temporary provision and any certificates of sponsorship for these roles must be assigned before 31 December 2026.

Salary threshold increase

Salary thresholds have increased across the board in relation to all certificates of sponsorship that are assigned from 22 July 2025. There are no transitional provisions for applicants applying to extend their skilled worker permission to remain or changing sponsor.

The general salary threshold has increased from £38,700 to £41,700 a year and salary must equal or exceed this and the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. All occupation specific going rates have been updated in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The sponsor must pay the higher of the updated median ASHE figure or £17.13 per hour.

For those with a PhD in a subject relevant to the role, the salary must equal or exceed £37,500 per year and 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. In the case of those with a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the role, their salary must equal or exceed £33,400 per year and 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

For applicants who qualify as new entrants, the minimum salary has increased from £30,960 to £33,400 and where a role is on the Immigration Salary List, salary must equal or exceed both £33,400 and the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. There is no discount for the salary requirement for a job on the Temporary Shortage List.

For skilled workers who had permission to remain in the skilled worker route before 4 April 2024 or are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job and they are making their application before 4 April 2030 the new minimum salary must equal or exceed £31,300 per year and the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. Lower salaries may be paid if an applicant can claim points for a PhD qualification which is relevant to the role, a role on the Immigration Salary List or as a new entrant.

Dependants

A skilled worker sponsored in an RQF 3-5 level role on the Immigration Salary List or Interim Temporary Shortage List as from 22 July 2025 cannot bring family members. This does not apply to those sponsored in RQF level 6 or above roles.