UK Overhauls Immigration Rules with Major Changes to Skilled Worker Visas
On July 1, 2025, the UK government unveiled a comprehensive 138-page statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, signaling a sweeping reset of the immigration system. These reforms, outlined in the recent government White Paper, set in motion significant revisions including higher salary and skills requirements for skilled foreign workers and an end to overseas recruitment of social care workers.
What’s Changing from July 22, 2025?
- Ban on Overseas Recruitment of Social Care Workers: New applications for care worker roles from abroad will no longer be accepted after July 22. However, care workers currently in the UK can switch visas within the country until July 22, 2028, provided they have been employed for at least three months with their sponsor.
- Higher Skills Thresholds: New Skilled Worker visa applicants must now hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent (RQF Level 6), raising the bar from the previous requirement, which accepted qualifications at RQF Level 3 (roughly A-level standard).
- Increased Salary Requirements: The minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas has been raised from £38,700 to £41,700. For those with a relevant PhD, the threshold increases from £34,830 to £37,500. These reflect updates aligned with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data.
- Removal of Over 100 Occupations from the Shortage List: Roles such as chefs and plasterers are no longer on the shortage occupation list, limiting the easier access previously available to these jobs.
- Temporary Shortage Occupation List Introduced: A new temporary list allows time-limited immigration access to certain sub-degree roles critical to the UK’s industrial strategy, but workers on this list cannot bring dependants and lose salary and visa fee discounts.
- Skilled Workers Already in the UK Exempt from Some New Rules: Those currently on Skilled Worker visas can continue to renew, change roles, and bring dependants under transitional arrangements, even if their occupation falls below the new skill level requirements.
Why These Changes?
The government cites widespread abuse and exploitation concerns within the social care sector as reasons for halting overseas recruitment in this area. More broadly, the reforms aim to reduce reliance on low-paid foreign workers and instead bolster domestic workforce training and development.
The Home Secretary emphasized the need for a “complete reset” to bring migration down, restore systemic order, and focus on skill investments within the UK. The tightening of rules reflects a strategic shift away from low-skill immigration in favor of raising qualifications and salaries required for foreign workers.
Transitional Arrangements and Future Reviews
Existing Skilled Worker visa holders retain their rights under transitional provisions, allowing them to maintain employment, change jobs, and extend visas without meeting the new higher skill thresholds. However, these arrangements are temporary and will be reviewed in due course.
The government has tasked the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) with reviewing the temporary shortage occupation list, salary thresholds, and associated benefits. Any amendments or further transitional measures will depend on their recommendations.
End of Afghan Resettlement Program
Alongside these immigration reforms, the government announced the closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) to new principal applicants, effective July 1, marking a milestone in fulfilling the UK's Afghan resettlement commitments. Since the program began over four years ago, it has facilitated the relocation of more than 21,000 Afghan principals and family members to the UK.
Looking Ahead
Additional reforms slated for later this year include raising the immigration skills charge paid by employers and enforcing stricter English language requirements for visa applicants.
Overall, the new immigration rules mark a decisive shift toward higher standards for incoming skilled workers and prioritize domestic skill development, signaling a new chapter in the UK's migration policy landscape.
