Following the UK Government’s 2024 Immigration White Paper, a series of significant Immigration Rule changes will take effect on the 22nd of July 2025. These changes form part of a wider strategy to:
- Reduce the number of eligible SOC codes across work routes.
- Increase salary thresholds in line with labour market conditions.
- Remove RQF Level 3 occupations, limiting eligibility to RQF Level 6 roles (graduate level and above).
Skilled Worker Route – Key Changes
Salary Threshold Increases – Appendix Skilled Worker
- New salary minimums for several bands have changed, based on a 37.5-hour working-week:
– General threshold: £41,700 up from £38,700
– New Entrants: £33,400 up from £30,960
– Health and Care Worker: £28,200 up from £26,100 - For those already on Skilled Worker visas and who are eligible for transitional arrangements, the annual salary threshold has also been increased.
- RQF Level 3 Occupations have been removed.
- The Skilled Worker route will now only accept occupations at RQF Level 6 or above, removing eligibility for lower-skilled roles.
Global Business Mobility Route – Key Changes
Salary Threshold Increase
The minimum salary has risen to £52,500, up from £48,500, based on a 37.5-hour working week.
Updated Salary Calculation Example
- Reaffirms that salary calculations are based on a 48-hour week cap.
- Example: If an individual works 48 hours per week, the calculation will be as follows:
– £52,500 / 37.5/hrs multiplied by 48/hrs = £67,200 annual salary to qualify
Key Considerations
- Review job roles and ensure they meet RQF Level 6 criteria: What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland – GOV.UK
- Confirm revised salary thresholds for any new initiations that will be processed post 22nd July 2025.
- Adjust CoS planning and recruitment strategies in advance of the 22nd July 2025 cut-off.
- Further information can be found in the Statement of Changes dated 1st July 2025: Statement of changes