World Immigration News

Statement of Changes following on from the Government’s Immigration White Paper

Release Date: 2025-07-04
Media: Blake Morgan LLP
Summary: The UK Government announced changes to the Immigration Rules, effective from July 22, 2025, following proposals in an earlier White Paper. These reforms aim to reduce net migration, raise skill thresholds, and restore integrity to the points-based system. Key changes include raising the required skill level for sponsored roles to RQF level 6 (degree level), removing around 100-180 occupations from general sponsorship eligibility.

Salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas will also increase, with the general minimum rising from £38,700 to £41,700 annually, and the new entrant threshold from £29,000 to £31,300. Occupation-specific salary rates will be updated according to the latest data, and applicants extending or switching sponsors after July 22 must meet the new thresholds, with no transitional arrangements.

Certain lower-skilled roles will still be eligible under an expanded Immigration Salary List and a new Temporary Shortage List, but these lists are temporary and set to be phased out by the end of 2026. After July 22, workers sponsored under these lower-skilled shortage occupations will no longer be allowed to bring dependants, except for certain exemptions.

For care workers, new overseas applications will end on July 22, 2025, with limited in-country switching allowed until July 2028. The requirement for employers in England to recruit first from skilled workers already in the UK is being removed.

The Global Business Mobility route will see increased salary thresholds for Senior Specialist Workers, from £48,500 to £52,500. Employers are advised to review salary levels and recruitment plans to comply with the new rules, especially in sectors like care where overseas recruitment will be heavily restricted.
Tags: United Kingdom

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