UK: Changes to the immigration policy

Raised skill and salary thresholds for skilled worker route

As of 22 July 2025, jobs must now be classified at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6, equivalent to a graduate-level role, to qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. This marks a significant increase from the previous threshold of RQF Level 3. As a result, an estimated 180 mid-skilled occupations that were previously eligible no longer meet the criteria. However, individuals already on the Skilled Worker route before this date can continue to be sponsored in RQF Level 3 to 5 roles, including for visa extensions and employment changes, until at least 22 July 2028, pending a policy review later this year.

There has also been an increase in the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa. The threshold for the standard skilled worker without any applicable discounts has increased from £38,700 to £41,700. Occupation-specific going rates have also been increased in parallel, so sponsors are liable to pay the higher of the standard threshold or the relevant percentage of the new going rates.

New temporary shortage list (TSL) & immigration salary list (ISL)

A small number of roles below RQF level 6 are still eligible under these lists until 31 December 2026 or sooner, subject to review by the Home Office and the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The ISL contains jobs confirmed by the MAC as in genuine national shortage such as laboratory and IT technicians, data analysts, authors, photographers, etc.  Under this list, sponsorship is permitted at RQF levels 3-5 with a reduced salary requirement. The TSL, on the other hand, covers roles that are intended to support the government's Modern Industrial Strategy.  A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for TSL roles must be assigned by 31 December 2026, after which roles may either meet RQF 6 criteria or become ineligible.

Additionally, applicants sponsored in any RQF level 3-5 roles on or after 22 July 2025 will be unable to bring new dependants. This restriction is tied to the skill level of the role and not the list itself.  Dependants who already hold a valid visa granted before 22 July 2025 will still be eligible to extend their visas, provided the normal requirements are met.

Changes to the EU settlement status (EUSS)

To be eligible for EU Settled Status, EU citizens and their family members must have completed a continuous five-year residence in the UK that began before 31 December 2020. During this period, absences from the UK must not exceed six months within any 12-month span, unless an exception applies.

However, a positive update effective from 16 July 2025 allows individuals with pre-settled status to apply for settled status if they have lived in the UK for at least 30 months (2.5 years) within the last 60 months (5 years). This means any 30-month period within the past five years can be considered, and importantly, the residence period no longer needs to have started before 31 December 2020.

This change does not apply to first-time applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), but it will apply to future applications for settled status or when pre-settled status is automatically converted to settled status.

Future changes

The UK Government has announced a series of significant reforms to its immigration system aimed at reducing net migration and strengthening domestic workforce development. Key proposals include:

• Extended Residence Requirement for Settlement: The qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be increased from 5 to 10 years for most applicants. However, some individuals may qualify earlier under a new "earned settlement" scheme based on contributions to the UK. 
• Industry-Specific Workforce Strategies: Employers in sectors with high reliance on overseas labour will be required to implement targeted workforce strategies. These strategies must demonstrate efforts to recruit and train domestic talent before accessing the immigration system.
• Increase in Immigration Skills Charge: The Immigration Skills Charge will rise by 32 percent, marking its first increase since 2017. This aims to encourage employers to invest in local workforce development.
• Higher English Language Requirements: English proficiency standards will be raised across various immigration routes. Main applicants will need to meet B2 level (Independent User), while adult dependants will be required to demonstrate A1 level (Basic User) proficiency, with progression expected over time for visa extensions and settlement 

Additionally, individuals can now check their visa processing time by using the official GOV.UK online tool, which provides estimated decision timelines based on the type of visa applied for. To use the service, applicants need the date they verified their identity. While real-time tracking of individual applications is not currently available through UKVI, applicants can contact UKVI directly if their application exceeds standard processing time.

Advice for employers

These changes affect important aspects of the UK visa sponsorship rules i.e., the skill and salary levels.  Additionally, this will not only affect employers recruiting new workers for sponsorship, but also when existing sponsored workers are looking to extend or switch visa categories, or to apply for settlement. Employers should review their workforce planning to ensure compliance with the increased skill and salary requirements and prepare for the phasing out of the Immigration Salary List. The closure of the Care Worker visa route also demands immediate attention from sectors reliant on migrant labour.