Changes to the immigration rules: implications for Skilled Workers

On 1 July 2025, the Government laid a statutory instrument before Parliament, bringing into effect some of the changes it proposed in the “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System: White Paper”.

These changes will come into effect on 22 July 2025.

The White Paper and HC 997

The White Paper discussed reducing overall net migration, only focusing on “good” immigration that will benefit the UK economy. The overall aim of the Paper’s provisions is to attract high-level talent to the UK (essentially graduate level or above).

The Paper proposed various changes to the Skilled Worker visa – for example, requiring B2 (Upper Intermediate understanding of English) testing for entry to the UK, rather than B1 (basic speaking, writing, listening and reading). It also mentioned increasing the threshold for Skilled Worker salary requirements to reduce lower-skilled migration. Additionally, the Paper set out that the Immigration Salary List would be replaced by a Temporary Shortage List. The HC 997 sets out these changes in tables.

The HC 997 introduces changes to the immigration rules, in order to bring into law some of the White Paper proposals. In essence, increased salary threshold level and changes to the Appendix Skilled Occupations list mean that individuals below RQF 6 (Bachelor’s degree) will have a harder time entering the UK under the Skilled Worker route.

Changes to Appendix Skilled Worker salary thresholds

According to the Statement of Changes, the following will take effect on 22 July 2025:

• Where the applicant’s salary is required to equal or exceed £38,700pa for a Skilled Worker visa, this will increase to £41,700pa.

By increasing this basic salary threshold, the Government aims to only attracted graduate-level individuals on correspondingly higher salaries.

Changes to the Appendix Skilled Occupations

When the HC 997 comes into effect, only RQF 6 level role holders will be able to come to the UK. This level generally reflects jobs in the Occupation Codes (SOC codes) at degree level or higher. Lower-level roles will be removed from the SOC codes. The Home Office estimates that the list will be reduced by 100-180 roles.

Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List

The Immigration Salary list contains eligible occupations for Skilled Worker visas which the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) have identified as having labour shortages and where a lower salary can be offered.

Both the White Paper and HC 997 introduce a new Temporary Shortage List.

These above are huge changes to requirements for Skilled Worker visas in the UK since by focusing on RFQ-6 job categories and salaries only, the Government hopes to meet its aim of only attracting graduate-level talent or above. This will have serious implications for those sectors which rely on lower-skilled migrant labour.

Those already in the UK as Skilled Workers can continue as they are and will not be affected, though the Government has hinted at transitional arrangements not being in place permanently.

If you have questions or concerns about the changes, please contact Immigration partner Sharmila Mehta and legal assistant Ami Koya.