Latest changes to UK immigration policy – 22 July 2025
A series of new immigration policies comes into effect today July 22 2025. These changes are part of the governments White Paper, released earlier this year May 2025, which outlined the governments proposals for immigration.
New UK Immigration policy
Earlier this year (May 2025), The Home Office released its highly anticipated ‘White Paper’, which laid out the government’s brand new immigration incentive to ‘Restore Control over the Immigration System’. Details about the White Paper and more proposed UK immigration policies are available to read here.
The White Paper
The White Paper seeks to address mounting pressure and concerns over immigration from the public, many of whom feel as though the UK has become overly reliant on overseas recruitment to the detriment of British workers and infrastructure. The ‘over reliance’ on migrant labour is due to skill shortages, training and work conditions in the UK. In spite of these shortages, the government does not believe that UK recruiters and companies within skilled sectors have made comprehensive efforts to address the underlying drivers of these issues.
As a result, the government has committed itself to “ending the long term reliance on overseas workers in some parts of the economy by bringing in workforce and training plans for sectors such as health and social care, and construction.” Subsequently, series sweeping changes have been made, some of which have came into effect on 22 July 2025.
Continue reading below to see what changes come into effect on 22 July
What are the Changes?
The threshold for the Skilled Worker visa has increased from RQF Levels 3-5 to RQF Level 6 (graduate level).
This means that employers will no longer be allowed to sponsor overseas workers for roles that are classified as ‘medium skilled’ (RQF Level 3-5) unless they are on the new Temporary Shortage List. As a result of the skills threshold increase, over 180 previously eligible roles have been removed.
Some roles that are no longer eligible and are not on the Temporary Shortage List include:
- Administrative assistants
- SOC 5312 – Bricklayers and Masons
- SOC 8149 – Construction Operatives
- SOC 1231 – Healthcare practice managers
- SOC 6132 – Ambulance Staff (non paramedics)
- SOC 6133 – Dental nurses
- SOC 1231 – Healthcare and Practice managers
- SOC 1223 – Restaurant managers
Transitional arrangements laid out within the White Paper exempts workers who are already on the Skilled Worker visa route. Therefore, visa holders who are already in the UK in an occupation below RQF 6 can continue to be sponsored in these occupations, renew their visas and change employment.
The Skilled Worker salary threshold has increased significantly.
The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker applicants
People who are on the Health and Care visa prior to July 22 or extending/switching visas will remain subject to the £25,000 pay scale threshold.
The Immigration Salary List has been replaced by the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). The Immigration Salary List contained occupations eligible for Skilled Worker visas in fields that were identified as having labour shortages.
Under the new policy, occupations listed below RFQ 6 are only eligible for work visa applications if they are listed on the Temporary Shortage List.
The Temporary Shortage List is an interim measure, therefore, for the time being, it will contains occupations listed below RFQ Level 6 that are still eligible for sponsorship and Skilled Worker visas. This is because the government has identified ‘short term’ shortages within these occupations.
Below, we have listed some of the RFQ 3,4 and 5 occupations that are listed on the TSL:
- SOC 8133 – Energy plant operatives
- SOC 5213 – Welding trades
- SOC 1258 – Directors in consultancy services
- SOC 3111 – Laboratory technicians
- SOC 33113 – Engineering technicians
- SOC 3132 – IT user support technicians
- SOC 3414 – Dancers and choreographers
- SOC 3544 – Data analysts
Care workers no longer fall under the Skilled Worker visa category. This means that domestic employers will no longer be able to hire international care workers. Applicants who gained sponsorship prior to 22 July 2025 or were already on this visa route will not be impacted.
what other changes are coming?
How can we help you?
Thomas Chase Immigration offer immigration assistance to individuals and families.
If you have questions or concerns or you would like straightforward immigration advice, or help with applying for a visa, Thomas Chase Immigration can help. Our processes are tried and tested. We offer an individual touch when assisting you and presenting the matter to the Home Office. Contact us at info@thomaschaseimmigration.com.
