UK Visa Sponsorship Rules: Major Changes 2025

Significant reforms to the UK visa sponsorship rules are taking effect from 22 July 2025. These changes are designed to tighten eligibility criteria and align with the UK's labour market needs. Both employers and potential migrants will be impacted. For a comprehensive understanding of these updates, including detailed requirements and application processes, explore our full guide on UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025 Reforms Explained.

Skilled Worker Visa: Higher Skill Bar

The main modification is that the Skilled Worker path now has a higher skill bar. As of July 22, 2025, employment must typically be evaluated at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6, or about degree level, in order to be sponsored. This means that approximately 111 mid-skill occupations, previously qualifying at RQF 3–5, are no longer eligible. Some industry analyses suggest up to 180 roles could be affected. For some occupations, workers who were already on the Skilled Worker route before to July 22, 2025, may still be entitled to continue receiving sponsorship in RQF 3–5 positions until at least July 22, 2028. Additionally, Appendix Skilled Occupations has been reorganised to distinguish between qualified positions according to skill level.

Skilled Worker Visa: Higher Salary Thresholds

The skilled worker visa's wage level has been considerably raised. Option A, the general salary level, is now £41,700 annually instead of £38,700. Increases are also made to other pay bands: STEM-PhD posts (Option C), new recruits (Option E), and Immigration Salary List (ISL) postings at RQF 6+ (Option D) now pay at least £33,400; PhD-relevant occupations (Option B) pay £37,500.  A minimum salary of £25,000 is required for ISL posts at RQF 3-5. The yearly threshold or a suitable proportion (100%, 90%, 80%, or 70%) of the new occupation-specific going rate, whichever is higher, must be paid by sponsors.   A wage floor of £17.13 per hour, based on a weekly maximum of 48 paid hours, is also applicable to most applicants under Options A–E.

The basic pay for Health and Care codes (Options F–J) is £31,300; lower floors of £28,200 or £25,000 are possible for certain situations, such as new hires, PhD candidates, or ISL candidates. In particular, care workers (SOC 6135/6136) need at least £25,000 annually or £12.82 per hour, whichever is greater. This implies that the rate that applies to them is always £25,000. For comprehensive details on these salary changes and their implications, refer to our detailed breakdown of UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025 Reforms.

New Temporary Shortage & Immigration Salary Lists

Two interim lists, an expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL) and a new interim Shortage List (TSL), are now in effect for a limited time to provide some flexibility. Sponsorship will be restricted to jobs below RQF 6 on one of these lists as of July 22, 2025. Once both lists have been reviewed, the Home Office will decide whether to extend the expiration dates to December 31, 2026, or earlier. It's important to note that dependents are not permitted to travel with newly sponsored employees in TSL and ISL positions at RQF 3–5.

Care Worker Route Closes to New Overseas Recruits

The process for new foreign candidates to get a Health and Care Worker Visa has almost concluded. Applications for entry clearance for senior care workers and care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) will no longer be accepted after July 22, 2025. However, in-country "switchers" can still be sponsored until 22 July 2028, provided they meet specific employment criteria.

Dependants Curbed for Lower-Skilled Roles

A significant restriction affects dependants. Candidates for any RQF 3–5 position on the ISL or TSL who were freshly sponsored on or after July 22, 2025, are not permitted to bring additional dependents. This restriction is not related to the list itself, but rather to the role's skill level. Family members who currently have leave that was approved prior to this date are not impacted.

Other Visa Categories: GBM & Scale Up Visas

Other visa categories also face higher salary thresholds. Under Global Business Mobility (GBM), the minimum yearly compensation for a UK expansion worker, senior worker, or expert worker has gone up from £48,500 to £52,500. The bar for a scale-up visa has increased from £36,300 to £39,100. The new cost for the Graduate Trainee strand is £27,300. Only positions at RQF level 6 or higher are now included in the Appendix Skilled Occupations as being automatically eligible for new GBM and Scale up sponsorships.

Key Takeaways for Employers and Applicants

These reforms represent a major realignment of the UK's immigration system, emphasising highly skilled migration. Employers need to review the new eligible occupation lists and salary thresholds carefully before issuing any Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) after 21 July 2025. It will be essential to strategically plan the workforce, including position design and pay structure. The new RQF level 6 criteria and higher wage levels will be applicable to current skilled worker visa holders who are renewing their visas or seeking for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from July 22, 2025.

Don't leave your UK visa decisions to guesswork; get tailored advice on these UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025 Reforms.