Statement of Changes following on from the Government’s Immigration White Paper
The Government laid its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules before Parliament on 1 July 2025. It gives effect to many of the proposed skilled worker reforms outlined in the White Paper published earlier in the year. The Government states that: “the reforms mark a decisive shift in the UK’s approach, reducing net migration, raising skills thresholds, and restoring integrity to the points-based system”. Most of the provisions will take effect from 22 July 2025.
For more details of the White Paper see our previous article on the changes to immigration rules here.
Skilled Worker skill threshold increase
From 22 July 2025, sponsored roles will need to be at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above (degree level). The threshold relates to the skill level of the occupation, rather than any qualifications held by an applicant. The Home Office says that this will remove around 100-180 occupations from general sponsorship eligibility.
Existing sponsored workers and anyone sponsored before 22 July 2025 can continue in their RQF level 3-5 roles for now or where an occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or the new interim Temporary Shortage List. The Government has, however, made it clear that this transitional concession will not be in place indefinitely and it will be reviewed.
Skilled Worker salary thresholds
Salary thresholds are increasing across the board for certificates of sponsorship assigned on or after 22 July 2025.
The general salary threshold will rise from £38,700 to £41,700 a year. For those classed as new entrants the threshold increases from £29,000 to £31,300.
All occupation specific going rates are also being updated in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Sponsors will now need to pay whichever is the higher; the updated median ASHE figure or a minimum of £17.13 per hour.
It is important to note that there will be no transitional provisions for applicants applying to extend their skilled worker permission to remain or changing sponsor after 22 July 2025. Those applying to extend will need to satisfy the new thresholds, unless their application relies on a certificate of sponsorship assigned before that date.
The higher figures have also been included in the settlement rules for skilled workers so any employees approaching five years’ residence will also need to meet the higher salary bands in order to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List
Sponsors will still be able to recruit below degree level staff where a job appears on an expanded Immigration Salary List that includes occupations at RQF level 3-5 and where the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has judged it to be a shortage occupation or a new Temporary Shortage List which the Treasury and Department for Trade and Business have identified as critical to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
The Immigration Salary List will be phased out in future changes to Immigration Rules. The Temporary Shortage List is time-limited and conditional, as the name suggests. The changes therefore include removal dates for occupations on both lists set at the end of 2026, although the Government reserves the right to bring this forward.
Dependants
Anyone sponsored in an RQF level 3-5 occupation on either of the shortage lists after 22 July 2025 will not be able to bring family members. This will not affect workers already in the skilled worker route and able to bring dependants before these changes come into effect. It will not apply to those sponsored in RQF 6 jobs. In line with existing restrictions on dependants of care workers and senior care workers, these changes will exempt dependant children who were born in the UK or where the skilled worker has sole parental responsibility for them.
Care Workers
New entry clearance applications from abroad for Soc codes 6135 (care workers) and 6136 (senior care workers) will end on 22 July 2025.
In country switching into these roles for those legally able to work will remain possible until 22 July 2028 but only when the employee has already worked for the sponsor for at least three months before their certificate of sponsorship is assigned. After 22 July 2028, the roles will be removed from all shortage lists.
The requirement in England for sponsors to first try to recruit from the pool of skilled workers seeking new sponsorship is being removed. As a result of the changes, all applications to which the requirement applied are being closed.
Global Business Mobility route
The minimum salary for GBM Senior Specialist Worker will rise from £48,500 to £52,500. Those applying to extend will also have to meet the requirement.
What should employers consider?
Employers should review salaries for all sponsored workers with a view to identifying those whose salary may not meet the new minimum thresholds that will take effect. They will need to be earning the correct amount when the sponsored worker next applies for leave to remain.
Employers should also review their recruitment requirements generally beyond 22 July 2025 and the skills levels for any new or existing sponsored roles.
Employers in the care sector will also need to plan ahead carefully since they will not be able to recruit care workers and senior care workers from abroad as from 22 July 2025.
If you require legal advice on the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, contact our Immigration team, to see how they can help.
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