New UK immigration rules take effect from today

The Home Office has confirmed sweeping changes to the Immigration Rules with major reforms taking effect from 22 July 2025.

These changes target the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility (GBM) and Scale-up routes, placing renewed focus on limiting migration to high-skilled, high-paid roles.

“This means occupations that do not meet this level (i.e. previously RQF Level 3 to 5) will no longer be sponsorable, unless transitional provisions apply,” Westbridge said.

“The transitional requirements will allow extensions for individuals who were sponsored before the 22nd July 2025; hence, those individuals will be able to be sponsored under RQF level 3 to 5 roles.”

Applicants ‘new’ to the skilled worker route on or after 22nd July 2025, will be bound to meet the RQF level 6 role requirements

Roles being removed from sponsorship

Over 100 roles will be removed from the list of sponsorable occupations, including:

• Chefs
• Retail Managers
• Hospitality roles such as Bar Managers
• Artistic roles
• Other RQF Level 3-5 positions

“These roles will no longer be eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship, even where a UK employer holds a valid sponsor licence, unless protected by transitional rules,” Westbridge said.

Notably, Employers will no longer be permitted to sponsor care workers from outside the UK under SOC codes 6135 (Care Workers and Home Carers) or 6136 (Senior Care Workers).

Those already sponsored in care roles will be eligible to extend their Skilled Worker visa until 22 July 2028. After this date, extensions under the Health and Care route will cease unless new conditions are met.

Those already on a Skilled Worker, GBM, or Scale-up visa granted prior to 22 July 2025 will continue to be eligible to:

• Extend their stay;
• Change employers (within limits);
• Apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Stricter rules for children

New requirements restrict when a child may be granted permission to join or stay with a parent, particularly where the main applicant is in a care worker role after 11 April 2024.

Under the new rules, children will only be granted a visa if one of the following applies:

• The child was born in the UK; or
• The Skilled Worker parent has sole responsibility for the child; or
• The Skilled Worker is the only surviving parent; or
• The child’s other parent is also a Skilled Worker in an eligible occupation and shares joint parental responsibility.

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