- Introduction
- Skilled Worker Visa: Higher Salary and Skill Thresholds
- New Immigration Salary List (ISL) & Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
- Care Worker Route Closed to New Overseas Applicants
- Global Business Mobility (GBM) & Scale-Up Visa Changes
- Graduate Route: Shorter Visa Duration & New Expectations
- Upcoming Settlement Route Consultation
- How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
- Conclusion
- Glossary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
From 22 July 2025, the UK Government has introduced sweeping changes to its skilled immigration system. These reforms aim to reduce dependency on overseas labour and prioritise domestic workforce development. Whether you’re a sponsor or visa holder, it’s vital to understand how these updates affect your work route, salary requirements, and eligibility.
This blog outlines the key updates affecting the Skilled Worker Visa, Global Business Mobility (GBM), Scale-up, and Health and Care Worker routes, along with new rules on salary thresholds, RQF levels, dependent rights, and transitional arrangements.
1. Skilled Worker Visa: Higher Salary and Skill Thresholds
🔺 Salary Thresholds Increased
From 22 July 2025:
● General salary threshold raised to £41,700 (up from £38,700).
● New entrant threshold increased to £33,400 (was £30,960).
● Transitional threshold for pre-4 April 2024 visa holders now £31,300, for applications made before 4 April 2030 by workers who have held Skilled Worker permission continuously since.
💡 These thresholds apply to new visa applications, extensions and changes of employment. At settlement (ILR) the new entrant rate does not apply and the full going rate is always needed: the threshold is £41,700 unless a lower settlement row applies, such as £31,300 for the pre-4 April 2024 group. Sponsors must ensure salaries keep pace with market rates based on 2024 ASHE data.
🎓 Skills Threshold Now RQF Level 6
Only jobs at RQF Level 6 and above are now eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
💡 Transitional Arrangements:
Importantly, transitional protections are in place for individuals already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa in RQF 3-5 roles, provided they were granted Skilled Worker permission under the Rules in force before 22 July 2025 and have held Skilled Worker permission continuously since. These individuals may be able to extend their visas, change employment, and even apply for settlement, subject to meeting new salary thresholds and other requirements.
See the full RQF Level 6 Jobs List here >>
For the salary options and skill rules that apply to an application today, see our Skilled Worker eligibility and salary guide.
2. New Immigration Salary List (ISL) & Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
✅ Time-Limited Access for Certain RQF 3–5 Jobs
● Only listed roles at RQF 3–5 can now be sponsored.
● Both ISL and TSL are temporary measures: a listed job qualifies only where the CoS is issued before 31 December 2026, except care workers and senior care workers (6135 and 6136) on the ISL, where the date is 22 July 2028.
👥 Dependant Restrictions:
A key change for new applicants sponsored in RQF 3-5 jobs on the ISL or TSL on or after 22 July 2025 is that they will generally not be permitted to bring dependants, with limited exceptions for UK-born dependent children or those for whom the Skilled Worker has sole parental responsibility.
See the full Immigration Salary List 2025: Jobs & Removal Dates here >>
See the full Temporary Shortage Occupation List here >>
3. Care Worker Route Closed to New Overseas Applicants
A significant change is the closure of the Health and Social Care visa route to new overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) from 22 July 2025.
👥 Dependants:
Care workers and senior care workers generally cannot bring dependants, unless they were granted Skilled Worker permission as a care worker or senior care worker under the Rules in force before 11 March 2024 and have held Skilled Worker permission in a care role continuously since.
💡 Transitional Provisions for In-Country Switchers:
Individuals already in the UK on other visa routes can still switch into the Skilled Worker route as care workers if they apply before 22 July 2028 and have legally worked for their sponsoring employer as a care worker or senior care worker for at least the three months ending on the date the CoS is issued. Workers who already hold Skilled Worker permission as a care worker or senior care worker can extend or change sponsor with no three-month requirement and no end date.
4. Global Business Mobility (GBM) & Scale-Up Visa Changes
● GBM (Senior/Specialist & UK Expansion Worker) threshold raised from £48,500 to £52,500.
● Scale-up Visa minimum salary now £39,100 (was £36,300).
● Graduate Trainee minimum increased to £27,300.
● Only RQF 6+ roles are eligible for new sponsorships.
● The number of workers an overseas business can send to the UK under the UK Expansion Worker route has doubled from 5 to 10, offering greater flexibility for businesses establishing new branches.
🚫 Subgraduate roles (e.g. teaching assistants, dental technicians) are no longer eligible for new GBM or Scale-up visa sponsorships.
5. Graduate Route: Shorter Visa Duration & New Expectations
● Graduate visas last 18 months instead of 2 years for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. PhD and other doctoral graduates keep 3 years.
● Graduates can still switch to Skilled Worker if they meet the new salary and RQF rules.
● New entrant discounts continue to apply.
6. Upcoming Settlement Route Consultation
The government plans to:
● Introduce a “contribution-based” earned settlement/citizenship model.
● Consider allowing faster ILR for those with strong societal/economic contributions.
Consult the public before implementing any changes. The consultation ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026. No earned settlement rules have been laid before Parliament, so the current settlement rules still apply. Read the latest position.
How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
At WorkPermitCloud Ltd, we help UK employers and migrants navigate complex immigration rules with ease. Whether you’re unsure how the new salary thresholds affect your staff or need help transitioning to the updated RQF 6 rules, we’ve got you covered.
📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Book a free consultation: calendly.com/lutfur-workpermitcloud
Conclusion
The 22 July 2025 changes mark a major shift in UK immigration strategy. With tighter salary and skill thresholds, reduced access for RQF 3–5 roles, and closure of the care worker entry route, both employers and workers must act now to stay compliant and proactive.
WorkPermitCloud is here to help you make sense of these changes and plan confidently for the future. Don’t wait: ensure your immigration strategy aligns with the new rules today.
Glossary
Term | Definition |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK work visa route for overseas workers sponsored by a licensed employer in eligible roles meeting skill and salary thresholds. |
| RQF Level | Regulated Qualifications Framework level used to classify job roles by skill level. RQF Level 6 indicates graduate-level occupations. |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | A government-approved list of occupations in shortage, temporarily eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship even if below RQF 6. |
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) | A time-limited list of roles deemed important to the UK’s industrial strategy, eligible for sponsorship below RQF 6 where the CoS is issued before 31 December 2026. |
| Transitional Arrangements | Temporary rules allowing existing visa holders in previously eligible roles to extend or change employment under old criteria. |
| Global Business Mobility (GBM) | A visa category for overseas businesses to temporarily assign workers to the UK in specific roles, including UK Expansion and Graduate Trainee routes. |
| Scale-up Visa | A fast-track visa route for workers at rapidly growing UK businesses meeting salary and skill requirements. |
| Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) | A dataset published by the Office for National Statistics used to update immigration salary thresholds. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | A digital document issued by a UK sponsor employer to support a migrant worker's visa application. |
| Graduate Route | A post-study visa allowing international graduates to stay in the UK to work or look for work for a limited time after completing a degree. |
