Significant Changes to UK Sponsored Worker Immigration Routes

The Home Office has today released a Statement of Changes outlining significant updates to the Skilled Worker route in the UK Immigration Rules, which will be implemented on 22 July 2025. These changes affect skill and salary thresholds, eligible occupations, and transitional arrangements that may impact your business operations and workforce planning. The new rules give effect to some of the proposals set out in the immigration white paper published in May 2025.

Key Changes for Sponsored Workers

Skill Thresholds

The skill threshold for Skilled Worker applicants is being raised from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 back to RQF level 6. This adjustment will reduce the number of eligible occupations by approximately 180. Only occupations skilled to RQF level 6 or above will be eligible, except for those on the Immigration Salary List or the new interim Temporary Shortage list.

Salary Thresholds

Routine updates to salary requirements are being made across the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up routes, in line with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. Please note that the minimum salary that must be paid is either the minimum threshold or the SOC code minimum, whichever is the higher.

Key increases include:

• £38,700 to £41,700 – Skilled Worker minimum salary for new applicants

• £45,800 to £52,500 – Global Business Mobility salary minimum

• £34,830 to £37,500 – PhD STEM / Immigration Salary List

• £30,960 to £33,400 – New Entrant route

• £29,000 to £31,300 – Pre April 2024 extensions

The minimum hourly rate has been set at £17.13.

Transitional Arrangements

Skill Threshold Exemptions: Workers already in the Skilled Worker route will be exempt from the increase to the skill threshold, allowing them to renew visas, change employment, and take supplementary employment in occupations below RQF level 6.

Application Timing: Applications made using a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) issued before 22 July 2025, or applications not requiring a COS made before this date, will be decided under the rules in force on 21 July 2025.

Next Steps

We recommend reviewing these changes in detail to understand how they may impact your business operations and workforce planning. Key considerations include:

• Assessing current workforce eligibility under new thresholds

• Reviewing pending applications and timing considerations

• Evaluating sponsorship strategies for future hires

• Planning for salary adjustments where necessary

Contact Information

Should you have any questions or require further assistance regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our immigration team is available to discuss the specific implications for your organisation and provide guidance on compliance strategies.

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