Changes to the skilled worker visa route from July 2025

Following on from the government’s Immigration White Paper, the most recent Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules were announced in a written statement to the House of Commons on 1 July 2025, firming up their intention to reduce net migration and to restore control over the immigration system. This brings into effect the first raft of reforms specified in May’s White Paper.

In this short blog we look at the changes to the skilled worker route.

For a detailed overview of the May 2025 Immigration White Paper, read our earlier blog on key impacts and reforms >

Key updates to the skilled worker visa rules in July 2025

The changes specified will take effect from 22 July 2025, three weeks from the date the Statement of Changes were announced. The changes to the Skilled Worker route are significant and the key changes are as follows:

Main updates effective from July 2025

• Threshold starting salary will increase from £38,700 to £41,700 per year.
• Tradeable points for applicants with a PhD in a subject relevant to the job will increase from £34,830 to £37,500 per year.
• Tradeable points for applicants with a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job will increase from £30,960 to £33,400 per year.
• Tradeable points for applicants being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List will increase from £30,960 to £33,400 per year.
• Tradeable points for applicants regarded as new entrants at the start of their career will increase from £30,960 to £33,400 per year.
• Skill level increased to RQF Level 6 resulting in the removal of around 180 eligible occupations
• Increase in going rates.
• Closing the Social Care Worker visa route to overseas recruitment.
• Introduction of an interim Temporary Shortage List containing RQF levels 3-5 in roles identified as identified as important for the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Dependants will not be permitted to accompany those sponsored in these roles.

Steps employers should take before the skilled worker visa changes take effect

• The current Immigration Rules will be used to consider applications with a CoS assigned before 22 July 2025.
• If you are recruiting international workers, you should review the SOC codes and salaries for the roles and consider expediting the recruitment process before the changes take effect.
• Employers should review their current employee’s immigration status to identify staff that may require sponsorship in the future.
• Sponsors should consider whether they have a sufficient allocation of CoS if they would like to assign them prior to the changes. If not, a request using the priority service via the SMS will be required.

How can we help?

If you are concerned about how the changes will affect your business and would like to discuss this with one of our exerts please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.