In July 2025, major changes were made to the Skilled Worker visa route, which many employers are feeling the effects of now.
Increases to Skilled Worker Salary thresholds and Going Rates
From 22nd July 2025, salary thresholds and going rates for Skilled Worker visas increased. Transitional provisions were issued for those who obtain their visas or Certificates of Sponsorship prior to the 22nd July 2025.
These changes created different salary requirements for those continuously sponsored before 4 April 2024, those sponsored between 4 April 2024 and 22 July 2025, and those sponsored after 22 July 2025. The General Threshold increased for all applicants making applications and Going Rates also increased across each occupation code.
Skills Threshold for Skilled Workers increased to RQF 6
The Home Office increased the skills threshold for a Skilled Worker visa to RQF level 6.
Any applicant applying from overseas is now unable to be sponsored for a role under RQF 3-5 unless the role is on the current Immigration Salary list or the Temporary Shortage List. If an applicant is sponsored for a role under RQF 3-5 then they will be unable to sponsor any dependants to join them in the UK.
Those who are already being sponsored for roles under RQF 3-5 can extend their applications under transitionary arrangements, although in some cases only with the same sponsor.
Temporary Shortage List released
The temporary shortage list was released, comprising roles which fall under RQF 3-5 for which the Home Office has identified as having labour shortages.
Employers are permitted to sponsor individuals with roles which fall under this list, but the current list only allows visas to be sponsored with Certificates of Sponsorship assigned before 31 December 2026. The occupations on the list are in review and it is unlikely that many will remain on the list in 2027.
The list of occupations on the Temporary Shortage list are detailed below:
|
SOC Code |
Occupation Title |
Notes |
|
1243 |
Managers in logistics |
|
|
1258 |
Directors in consultancy services |
|
|
3111 |
Laboratory technicians |
|
|
3112 |
Electrical and electronics technicians |
|
|
3113 |
Engineering technicians |
|
|
3114 |
Building and civil engineering technicians |
|
|
3115 |
Quality assurance technicians |
|
|
3116 |
Planning, process and production technicians |
|
|
3120 |
CAD, drawing and architectural technicians |
|
|
3131 |
IT operations technicians |
|
|
3132 |
IT user support technicians |
|
|
3133 |
Database administrators and web content technicians |
|
|
3412 |
Authors, writers and translators |
|
|
3414 |
Dancers and choreographers |
|
|
3417 |
Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators |
|
|
3422 |
Clothing, fashion and accessories designers |
|
|
3429 |
Design occupations n.e.c. |
Only: Industrial and product designers, Packaging designers, Performance make-up artists, Set designers, Visual merchandising managers and designers |
|
3512 |
Ship and hovercraft officers |
|
|
3520 |
Legal associate professionals |
|
|
3532 |
Insurance underwriters |
|
|
3533 |
Financial and accounting technicians |
|
|
3541 |
Estimators, valuers and assessors |
|
|
3544 |
Data analysts |
|
|
3549 |
Business associate professionals n.e.c. |
Only: Business support officers, Business systems analysts, Contract administrators, Clinical coders, Clinical trials administrators, Research coordinators |
|
3552 |
Business sales executives |
|
|
3554 |
Advertising and marketing associate professionals |
|
|
3571 |
Human resources and industrial relations officers |
|
|
3573 |
Information technology trainers |
|
|
4121 |
Credit controllers |
|
|
4122 |
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks |
|
|
4129 |
Financial administrative occupations n.e.c. |
Only: Box office assistants, Grants officers, Mortgage administrators, Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government), Treasury assistants |
|
4132 |
Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants |
|
|
5213 |
Welding trades |
|
|
5214 |
Pipe fitters |
|
|
5223 |
Metal working production and maintenance fitters |
|
|
5225 |
Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers |
|
|
5231 |
Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians |
|
|
5232 |
Vehicle body builders and repairers |
|
|
5233 |
Vehicle paint technicians |
|
|
5235 |
Boat and ship builders and repairers |
|
|
5241 |
Electricians and electrical fitters |
|
|
5242 |
Telecoms and related network installers and repairers |
|
|
5244 |
Computer system and equipment installers and servicers |
|
|
5245 |
Security system installers and repairers |
|
|
5249 |
Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. |
|
|
5311 |
Steel erectors |
|
|
5315 |
Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers |
|
|
5319 |
Construction and building trades n.e.c. |
Only: Builders, Divers, Fence erectors, Industrial climbers, ROV operators, Steel fixers and underpinners |
|
5322 |
Floorers and wall tilers |
|
|
5323 |
Painters and decorators |
|
|
5330 |
Construction and building trades supervisors |
|
|
8133 |
Energy plant operatives |
Immigration Salary List to be phased out by 31st December 2026
The current Immigration Salary list will be phased out and replaced by the Temporary Shortage list above by the 31st December 2026.
Adult Social Care Routes closed from 22nd July 2025
Transitional provisions will remain to enable those currently sponsored in those roles to switch or extend their visas until 22nd July 2028.
The requirements for care homes to recruit from the existing Skilled Worker pool will also be removed.
What does this mean for you?
The Home Office has confirmed that these changes will come into effect from the 22nd July 2025, any Certificate of Sponsorship that is assigned prior to this date will be decided under the current rules. Therefore, we recommend starting any planned visa application sooner rather than later to avoid being caught by the higher salary and skills threshold.
Applications for visas can be filed up to 3 months prior to the worker’s start date so we highly recommend that any employees coming up for renewal are extended now or any overseas recruitment is brought forward.
We also recommend all employers check their existing allocations on the Sponsor Management System to ensure they have sufficient Certificates to sponsor workers, if further allocations are required then we recommend these are completed as soon as possible.
If you have any questions in relation to the above then please do not hesitate to reach out to info@migrate-uk.com or 01235 645800; we’re always happy to assist.
