New UK Immigration Changes Impacting International Job Seekers in 2025

On 1 July 2025, the UK Home Office introduced the most significant overhaul of the Skilled Worker Visa route since the end of free movement, through the publication of Statement of Changes HC 997. Following the May 2025 Immigration White Paper, these reforms aim to reduce net migration, crack down on exploitation, and focus the UK immigration system on higher-skilled roles. These changes will reshape the visa landscape for international job seekers.

 

Key Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa Route

1. Skill-Level Threshold Raised to RQF Level 6

The minimum skill threshold for new Skilled Worker visa applications has increased from RQF level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF level 6 (bachelor's degree level). This reverses the post-Brexit changes introduced in 2020 that lowered the threshold to help businesses adjust after the end of free movement.

Impact:

• Around 180 occupations will be removed from the list of eligible roles due to not meeting the RQF Level 6.

It is important to remember that the RQF Level 6 requires the job itself to be at RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level), not necessarily that the applicant needs to possess a bachelor’s degree. In other words, the Skilled Worker visa system assesses eligibility primarily based on the job’s required skill level rather than the individual applicant’s qualifications. 

For example:

• If the job is officially classified at RQF level 6, the position is eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
• An applicant could potentially qualify through relevant experience or alternative qualifications instead of a formal bachelor’s degree, provided they can demonstrate the required skill set.

This distinction is important: the focus is on the nature of the job, not strictly on the candidate’s educational credentials. However, in practice, many employers may expect or prefer applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Roles below RQF level 6 (see List A below) can no longer be sponsored unless they appear on the new Temporary Shortage List (see List B below) or the Immigration Salary List (see List C below).

 

List A: All occupations whose SOC codes begin with the following numbers do not meet the RQF Level 6 requirement:

4: Administrative and secretarial occupations.

6: Caring, leisure and other service occupations

7: Sales and customer service occupations

8: Process, plant and machine operatives

9: Elementary occupations

12 Other managers and proprietors

31 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

32 Health and social care associate professionals

52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades

53 Skilled construction and building trades

You can find the full list of SOC codes here.

 

List B: The New Temporary Shortage List

1243 Managers in logistics 

1258 Directors in consultancy services 

3111 Laboratory technicians 

3112 Electrical and electronics technicians 

3113 Engineering technicians 

3114 Building and civil engineering technicians 

3115 Quality assurance technicians 

3116 Planning, process and production technicians 

3120 CAD, drawing and architectural technicians 

3131 IT operations technicians

3132 IT user support technicians 

3133 Database administrators and web content technicians 

3412 Authors, writers and translators 

3414 Dancers and choreographers 

3417 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators 

3422 Clothing, fashion and accessories designers 

3429 Design occupations not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:

• Industrial and product designers 
• Packaging designers 
• Performance make-up artists 
• Set designers 
• Visual merchandising managers and designers 

3512 Ship and hovercraft officers 

3520 Legal associate professionals 

3532 Insurance underwriters 

3533 Financial and accounting technicians 

3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors 

3544 Data analysts

3549 Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:

• Business support officers 
• Business systems analysts 
• Contract administrators 
• Clinical coders 
• Clinical trials administrators 
• Research coordinators 

3552 Business sales executives 

3554 Advertising and marketing associate professionals 

3571 Human resources and industrial relations officers 

3573 Information technology trainers 

4121 Credit controllers 

4122 Bookkeepers, payroll managers and wages clerks 

4129 Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:

• Box office assistants 
• Grants officers 
• Mortgage administrators
• Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations) 
• Treasury assistants

4132 Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants 

5213 Welding trades 

5214 Pipe fitters 

5223 Metal working production and maintenance fitters 

5225 Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers 

5231 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians 

5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers 

5233 Vehicle paint technicians 

5235 Boat and ship builders and repairers 

5241 Electricians and electrical fitters 

5242 Telecoms and related network installers and repairers 

5244 Computer system and equipment installers and servicers 

5245 Security system installers and repairers 

5249 Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified 

5311 Steel erectors 

5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers 

5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only the following job types:

• Builders 
• Divers 
• Fence erectors 
• Industrial climbers 
• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators 
• Steel fixers and underpinners 

5322 Floorers and wall tilers 

5323 Painters and decorators 

5330 Construction and building trades supervisors

8133 Energy plant operatives

 

List C – Immigration Salary List

You can find the Immigration Salary List here.

 

2. New and Increased Salary Thresholds

From 22 July 2025, the salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visa eligibility will have risen across all applicable categories. The main route now requires a minimum salary of £41,700 per year, up from £38,700.

Updated minimum salary requirements include:

• For regular applicants: £41,700 or the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. This is increased from £38,700.
• For applicants with a relevant PhD: £37,500 or 90% the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. This is increased from £34,830.
• For applicants with a relevant PhD in STEM: £33,400 or 80% the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. This is increased from £30,960.
• For new entrants: £33,400 or 70% of the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. This is increased from £30,960.
• For some transitional cases: £31,300 or the going rate, whichever is higher. This is increased from £29,000.

Impact:

• Entry-level and mid-level international applicants must meet higher salary requirements.
• More employers may struggle to meet these thresholds, reducing job opportunities for overseas talent.

You can learn about what a New Entrant means here.

 

3. Transition to a Temporary Shortage List

To support sectors still reliant on mid-skilled international talent, the government has introduced an interim Temporary Shortage List (see List B above). Only roles below RQF level 6 that appear on this list (or the updated Immigration Salary List) are eligible for sponsorship.

Notable occupations on the Temporary Shortage List include:

• Logistics managers, laboratory technicians, engineering and IT technicians
• Authors, translators, marketing executives, CAD designers
• Business support officers, estimators, insurance underwriters
• Electricians, plumbers, vehicle technicians, welders
• Floorers, decorators, shipbuilders, and energy plant operatives

You can see the full list above (List B).

Impact:

• Sponsorship is available only for roles deemed critical for the UK's economy.
• These listings are temporary, expiring by the end of 2026.
• Workers in these roles cannot bring dependents, a major restriction for international applicants with families.

 

4. Restrictions on Dependents

Workers sponsored in occupations at RQF levels 3–5 (on either shortage list) can no longer bring dependents unless:

• They were already in the Skilled Worker route before the changes took effect.
• The dependent child was born in the UK, or the worker has sole parental responsibility.

Impact:

• Many international workers will no longer be able to migrate with family members.
• This may deter skilled applicants from lower-level occupations from choosing the UK.

 

5. Withdrawal of Overseas Care Worker Recruitment

From 22 July 2025, care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) will no longer be eligible for sponsorship from overseas.

Transitional arrangements allow:

• In-country visa switches for individuals already working for a UK sponsor for at least 3 months.
• These arrangements will end on 22 July 2028, after which care worker roles will be removed entirely from all eligible occupation lists.

Impact:

• Overseas care recruitment will end.
• International candidates must find alternative visa routes or seek roles at RQF level 6 and above.

If you are looking for care roles, you must act now and apply for those roles before the new rule is introduced. You can find the current visa-sponsored care assistant roles here.

 

What This Means for International Job Seekers

These changes mark a pivot towards a more selective immigration policy, prioritising:

• High-skill, high-wage occupations
• UK labour market investment
• Reduced dependence on foreign workers in mid- and low-skill sectors

Key Takeaways:

• Focus your job search on RQF level 6+ roles and those still listed on shortage lists. On UK Visa Jobs, we pre-filter those jobs for you so you do not have to check again.
• Be aware of the salary thresholds associated with each visa path.
• Understand that many roles no longer allow family dependents.
• Use resources like UK Visa Jobs to filter visa-eligible roles and stay up to date with list changes.

 

Final Thoughts

International job seekers will face a more complex and selective immigration system. However, opportunities remain in critical high-skill sectors, especially in health, engineering, IT and skilled trades. Navigating these changes effectively requires informed planning and the right job search tools.

UK Visa Jobs remains committed to helping you find UK-based, visa-sponsored roles that match your qualifications and ambitions. Stay informed, stay prepared and continue pursuing your UK career goals with confidence.