Introduction
As of 22 July 2025, the UK government has implemented significant immigration reforms under Statement of Changes HC 997, including raising the Skilled Worker visa eligibility to RQF Level 6 (degree-level jobs only). This change means that many sub-degree (RQF 3–5) roles are no longer eligible for new overseas Skilled Worker visa applications, unless the role is explicitly listed on the Appendix Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. A role on either list qualifies only where the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is issued before 31 December 2026, or before 22 July 2028 for care workers and senior care workers on the Immigration Salary List.
In this blog, we present the official list of 121 occupations that are excluded from both lists and are therefore no longer eligible for new Skilled Worker sponsorship. Employers and workers must review this list carefully before planning recruitment or visa applications.
Who Does This Affect?
This change impacts new Skilled Worker visa applicants from overseas seeking to apply for jobs listed below. These roles are now ineligible for sponsorship unless covered by another visa category. However, a worker who was granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025, and has held Skilled Worker permission continuously since, can still be sponsored in these roles, including when extending or changing employer. For the full rules on which jobs qualify, the two shortage lists and the transitional provisions, see our Skilled Worker eligibility and salary guide.
Excluded Skilled Worker Occupations Below RQF 6 (Effective 22 July 2025)
These occupations are not included on either the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List and are ineligible for new Skilled Worker sponsorship.
SOC Code | Job Title |
1150 | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale |
1211 | Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture |
1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List) |
1221 | Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors |
1222 | Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors |
1223 | Publicans and managers of licensed premises |
1224 | Leisure and sports managers and proprietors |
1225 | Travel agency managers and proprietors |
1231 | Health care practice managers |
1233 | Early education and childcare services proprietors |
1242 | Managers in storage and warehousing |
1251 | Property, housing and estate managers |
1252 | Garage managers and proprietors |
1253 | Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors |
1256 | Betting shop and gambling establishment managers |
1257 | Hire services managers and proprietors |
1259 | Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified |
2324 | Early education and childcare services managers |
3119 | Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified |
3211 | Dispensing opticians |
3213 | Medical and dental technicians |
3219 | Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified |
3221 | Youth and community workers |
3222 | Child and early years officers |
3223 | Housing officers |
3224 | Counsellors |
3229 | Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified |
3231 | Higher level teaching assistants |
3232 | Early education and childcare practitioners |
3240 | Veterinary nurses |
3312 | Police officers (sergeant and below) |
3313 | Fire service officers (watch manager and below) |
3314 | Prison service officers (below principal officer) |
3319 | Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified |
3413 | Actors, entertainers and presenters |
3415 | Musicians (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List) |
3421 | Interior designers |
3429 | Design occupations not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Temporary Shortage List) |
3433 | Fitness and wellbeing instructors |
3542 | Importers and exporters |
3543 | Project support officers |
3549 | Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Temporary Shortage List) |
3551 | Buyers and procurement officers |
3553 | Merchandisers |
3555 | Estate agents and auctioneers |
3557 | Events managers and organisers |
3560 | Public services associate professionals |
3572 | Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists |
3574 | Other vocational and industrial trainers |
3581 | Inspectors of standards and regulations |
3582 | Health and safety managers and officers |
4111 | National government administrative occupations |
4112 | Local government administrative occupations |
4113 | Officers of non-governmental organisations |
4124 | Finance officers |
4129 | Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Temporary Shortage List) |
4134 | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants |
4141 | Office managers |
4143 | Customer service managers |
4151 | Sales administrators |
4159 | Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified |
4214 | Company secretaries and administrators |
4215 | Personal assistants and other secretaries |
5111 | Farmers |
5112 | Horticultural trades |
5113 | Gardeners and landscape gardeners |
5114 | Groundsmen and greenkeepers |
5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List) |
5211 | Sheet metal workers |
5212 | Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations |
5221 | Metal machining setters and setter-operators |
5222 | Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out |
5224 | Precision instrument makers and repairers |
5234 | Aircraft maintenance and related trades |
5236 | Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers |
5243 | TV, video and audio servicers and repairers |
5246 | Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers |
5250 | Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors |
5317 | Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters |
5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List) |
5321 | Plasterers |
5411 | Upholsterers |
5412 | Footwear and leather working trades |
5413 | Tailors and dressmakers |
5419 | Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified |
5421 | Pre-press technicians |
5422 | Printers |
5423 | Print finishing and binding workers |
5431 | Butchers |
5432 | Bakers and flour confectioners |
5433 | Fishmongers and poultry dressers |
5434 | Chefs |
5436 | Catering and bar managers |
5441 | Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers |
5442 | Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers |
5443 | Florists |
5449 | Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified |
6111 | Early education and childcare assistants |
6112 | Teaching assistants |
6113 | Educational support assistants |
6114 | Childminders |
6117 | Playworkers |
6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List) |
6132 | Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics) |
6133 | Dental nurses |
6134 | Houseparents and residential wardens |
6213 | Air travel assistants |
6214 | Rail travel assistants |
6311 | Police community support officers |
7124 | Market and street traders and assistants |
7131 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale |
7132 | Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale |
7214 | Market research interviewers |
7220 | Customer service supervisors |
8113 | Chemical and related process operatives |
8134 | Water and sewerage plant operatives |
8143 | Routine inspectors and testers |
8215 | Driving instructors |
8232 | Marine and waterways transport operatives |
9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified (All jobs not otherwise included in the Immigration Salary List) |
9249 | Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified |
Why These Jobs Were Removed
The government’s stated objective is to reduce reliance on overseas labour in lower-skilled sectors and promote domestic training and workforce development. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been tasked with reviewing future needs under the new framework.
How WorkPermitCloud Can Help
At WorkPermitCloud Ltd, we specialise in helping employers and Skilled Workers navigate these complex changes. Our team provides:
◆ Advice on switching routes for Skilled Workers already in the UK
◆ Support with sponsor licence compliance and renewal under the new RQF Level 6 rules
◆ Guidance on alternative visa routes, such as Graduate, Global Talent, or Scale-up
◆ Strategic workforce planning for sectors impacted by job removals
📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Book a free consultation: calendly.com/lutfur-workpermitcloud
Conclusion
These 121 excluded occupations mark a turning point in the UK's Skilled Worker visa policy. Employers can no longer sponsor new workers for these roles, unless the worker already holds Skilled Worker permission granted before 22 July 2025. Both shortage lists are time-limited, so check the current Immigration Rules before relying on any route below RQF Level 6.
Need help navigating the new Skilled Worker rules? WorkPermitCloud is here to guide you.
Glossary
Term | Definition |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK visa route allowing overseas workers to fill eligible jobs sponsored by a licensed UK employer. |
| RQF Level 6 | Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6 represents degree-level jobs. Only roles at this level or above are now eligible for new Skilled Worker visas. |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | A list of occupations temporarily allowed lower salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route, due to recognised shortages. |
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) | A time-limited list of critical occupations eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship at RQF Levels 3–5. Applies only where the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued before 31 December 2026. |
| Excluded Occupations | Jobs that do not appear on either the ISL or TSL and are no longer eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. |
| SOC Code | Standard Occupational Classification code used to identify specific job roles in UK immigration policy. |
| In-country Switching | Changing from one visa category to another without leaving the UK, available under transitional arrangements. |
| MAC | The Migration Advisory Committee, which advises the UK Government on immigration policy and labour market needs. |
