The UK government has confirmed that big changes to the immigration system will take effect from 22 July 2025. These changes mostly affect Skilled Worker visas and other sponsored work routes.

What Should Employers Do Now?

If your business hires overseas workers or staff on temporary visas, you should:

  • Review your hiring plans for the next 6–12 months.
  • Talk to current staff who might need visa sponsorship in the future.
  • Act quickly: If someone won’t qualify under the new rules, you may still be able to sponsor them under the current rules before 22 July.
  • Review salary
  • Invest in training – have a plan

Key Changes

Higher Skill Level Required

From 22 July, most new Skilled Worker visa applicants must have jobs at a graduate level (RQF Level 6). This means:

  • Many lower-skilled jobs (about 180 roles) will no longer qualify.
  • If someone already has a Skilled Worker visa in a lower-skilled job, they can still extend or change jobs.
  • You can still assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for lower-skilled jobs until 21 July, and the visa application can be submitted after that.

Higher Salary Requirements

Salary thresholds are going up. Here are some examples:

Visa Type Before 22 July From 22 July
Skilled Worker £38,700 £41,700
Global Business Mobility £48,500 £52,500
PhD STEM / Shortage Roles £34,830 £37,500
New Entrants £30,960 £33,400
Extensions (older visas) £29,000 £31,300
  • Salaries are based on a 37.5-hour work week.
  • The minimum hourly rate will be £17.13.
  • Some temporary exceptions will apply for people already sponsored before 22 July—but these won’t last forever.

New Shortage List Replacing the Old One

The current Immigration Salary List is being replaced by a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL). This will:

  • Include some lower-skilled jobs (RQF Level 3–5) that are important to the UK economy.
  • Be phased out by the end of 2026.
  • Require employers to show they’ve tried to hire locally and are investing in UK workers.
  • Not allow dependents (family members) to come with the worker.

Still waiting to be updated on the following:

Some of the bigger proposals from the May White Paper are not happening yet, including:

  • Increasing the time needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain from 5 to 10 years.
  • A 32% rise in the Immigration Skills Charge.
  • Tougher English language rules, including for dependents.
  • Shortening the Graduate visa.
  • Industry-specific hiring strategies.

These may come later in late 2025 or 2026.

Get In Touch

Joanna Safadi is an Associate Partner and Immigration solicitor advising on visa applications and sponsorship licences.

If you’d like to get in touch, please call 03301 624 681 or via our contact form. 

Joanna Safadi

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