UK Skilled Worker visa changes coming this month – What you need to know
New immigration rules are set to take effect in the UK from 22 July 2025, bringing a number of changes to Skilled Worker visas as part of the government’s efforts to control migration.
Several immigration restrictions initially laid out in the Immigration White Paper will come into force later this month, such as the closure of the visa route for social care workers and the creation of a Temporary Shortage List.
Legal firm Dentons summarised the changes that will take effect later this month, including increases to qualifications and salary thresholds to reduce the number of eligible positions for skilled immigrant workers.
New salary and skill thresholds for work visas
From 22 July, salary thresholds for new Skilled Worker visa applications will be increased as follows:
- Standard: £41,700 (up from £38,700)
- PhD discount: £37,500 (up from £34,830)
- PhD in STEM: £33,400 (up from £30,960)
- ISL and new entrants: £33,400 (up from £30,960)
The skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas will be increased from RQF level 3 to RQF level 6, which will see 180 occupations no longer qualify.
Skilled Worker applicants will continue to be able to be sponsored in these occupations only if they are already in the route when the changes come into effect, or if there occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or the new interim Temporary Shortage list.
Skilled Worker visa holders and applicants will be able to renew or change jobs below RQF level 6 for now, but this may change as the transition to a stricter system progresses.
Additionally, dependants will not be permitted for Skilled Workers sponsored in occupations below RQF level 6, with some exceptions for existing visa holders and specific children.
Occupations on the Temporary Shortage List
The Immigration Salary List will also be phased out over time and replaced with a Temporary Shortage List that includes selected occupations below RQF level 6.
Occupations below RQF level 6 must be listed on the Temporary Shortage List in order to be sponsored, and they will be subject to strict eligibility and time limits compared with normal Skilled Worker visa occupations.
In its explanatory memorandum, the government stated that roles on the Temporary Shortage List are set to be removed before the end of 2026, and the government may bring this date forward.
Dentons noted that as these changes take effect from 22 July 2025, any application submitted using a Certificate of Sponsorship issued before this date will be assessed under the old immigration rules.
Below is the full list of occupations currently on the Temporary Shortage List:
- 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 not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:
- 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 not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:
- 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 not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:
- Box office assistants
- Grants officers
- Mortgage administrators
- Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations)
- 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 not elsewhere classified
- 5311 Steel erectors
- 5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers
- 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:
- Builders
- Divers
- Fence erectors
- Industrial climbers
- Remotely Operated Vehicle (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
