Sweeping immigration reforms announced - here’s what you need to know

This shake-up is likely to hit sponsors hardest, with the Skilled Worker route bearing the brunt of new salary and skill thresholds.

Key changes to the skilled worker route

A key component of the changes to the immigration rules is the upward revision of salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route. Most notably, the general minimum salary for new entrants will rise from £38,700 to £41,700, reflecting alignment with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Other changes of note include:

• The increase from RQF 3 (equivalent to A-Levels or BTECs level 3) to RQF 6 (university degree or equivalent) removes over 100 job roles from eligibility.
• Some sectors like construction, hospitality, retail and business administration roles will be hardest hit.
• The Immigration Salary List will be replaced by an Interim Shortage List, permitting RQF 3–5 roles but removing fee reductions and family-dependent allowances.
• The Migration Advisory Committee will review the Shortage List throughout 2026.
• Transitional protection applies to workers already on the Skilled Worker route or with pending applications before 22 July 2025, allowing renewals or employer changes under RQF levels below 6.

Interim shortage list: selected roles

Some roles retained under the transitional Shortage List include:

• 1243 Managers in logistics
• 3111 Laboratory technicians
• 3520 Legal associate professionals
• 3532 Insurance underwriters
• 3552 Business sales executives
• 3554 Advertising and marketing associate professionals
• 3571 Human resources and industrial relations officers

Key roles removed entirely from sponsorship eligibility include:

• 1222 Restaurant and catering establishment managers
• 5434 Chefs
• 5436 Catering and bar managers
• 3119 Science, engineering and production technicians (n.e.c.)
• 4141 Office managers
• 4151 Sales administrators

Important changes to the health and care sector

The Home Office will close the Skilled Worker route to new care worker and senior care worker applications. Transitional arrangements will safeguard those already in the UK, but no new visas will be issued from 22 July 2025.

Changes to the minimum salary thresholds

Effective 22 July 2025, the minimum salary threshold under the Global Business Mobility category for Senior and Specialist Workers increases from £48,500 to £52,500. Transitional arrangements will apply to those already in the UK on this route.

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

From 16 July 2025, pre-settled status holders can qualify for settled status after 30 months’ residence in any 60-month period, easing previous absence restrictions. These changes apply to both automated upgrades and manual applications.

How employers can prepare for these changes  

• Review your sponsored worker workforce and map sponsored employees by visa type, salary band and skill level. Identify applications filed before 22 July 2025 to leverage transitional protection.
• Prioritise pending Skilled Worker sponsorships and Certificate of Sponsorship assignments.
• Fast-track internal approvals and documentation to meet the deadline.

How to manage these changes going forward

• Review your workforce and recruitment processes
  • Conduct a full audit of current Skilled Worker roles against new RQF 6 requirements and reassess job descriptions to ensure alignment with the updated skill and salary thresholds.
• Establish or update sponsorship policies
  • Draft and maintain robust internal policies on eligibility checks, salary benchmarking and family-dependent provisions embedding these compliance controls in future processes to avoid potential sanctions.
• Communicate and train stakeholders
  • Host workshops and briefings for HR, hiring managers and payroll teams to streamline case-handling practices.
• Monitor and report ongoing compliance
  • It’s important to set up automated alerts for visa expirations, salary benchmarks and critical deadlines monitor ongoing developments from the Migration Advisory Committee and the Home Office.

How our Global Mobility specialists can support

We can support businesses by reviewing their current processes, providing detailed risk-analysis reports and tailored immigration plans to address exposure.

Our end-to-end solution allows you to manage the process from eligibility assessment and reporting to super-priority visa submissions.

If you’d like to speak with one of our specialists, please get in touch.

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