Posted Wednesday 16th July 2025
The Home Office’s latest Statement of Changes, published on 1 July, has set the plans within their White Paper (released in May 2025) in motion. Whilst the White Paper featured many potentially controversial plans to overhaul the immigration system, such as increasing time periods for settlement eligibility, this month’s Statement appears to focus on skilled work and will significantly impact all employers with sponsorship licences across the UK.
The changes will impact visa applicants with Certificates of Sponsorship assigned after 22 July 2025. Applications submitted after this date, but with Certificates assigned prior to 22 July, will be reviewed against the rules as they currently stand.
Salary threshold
The general salary threshold for all Skilled Worker applicants will increase from £38,700 to £41,700. New entrants, who benefit from a reduced minimum salary threshold, will now require a salary of at least £33,400.
The going rates for most roles under Appendix Skilled Occupations are also expected to increase, with exact figures dependent on the ASHE data for each specific occupation.
Skills threshold and temporary shortages
The skill level threshold, which has been RQF 3 since 2020, will be raised to RQF 6. Roles will again require degree-level qualifications, or higher, in order to be eligible for sponsorship.
As a result, many occupations that are currently eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship will cease to be so from 22 July. Existing sponsored workers in RQF 3-5 roles will not be affected by the change, although this protection is understood to be a temporary measure.
A new Temporary Shortage List will bridge the gap between the loss of RQF 3-5 sponsorship and critical demand for workers in certain industries across the UK. However, there will not be any concessions in terms of visa fees, nor for salary requirements, and dependants will not be permitted. The Temporary Shortage List is expected to run until 2026 and any extensions will be subject to the Migration Advisory Committee’s review.
Considerations for employers
Employers with incoming sponsored workers are urged to ensure that the Certificate of Sponsorship assignment is processed on their Sponsorship Management System by 22 July 2025, which will ensure that the workers are caught until the pre-22 July rules.
Employers with existing sponsored workers should also review relevant sponsorship dates and any upcoming extensions in advance of 22 July. Certificates of Sponsorship can be assigned to a worker up to 3 months ahead of their visa application. Employers should consider actioning Certificate of Sponsorships in preparation for the above increases, particularly for employees who may fall below the new salary thresholds or hold a role within RQF 3-5.
The upcoming changes notably do not include the anticipated rise in the Immigration Skills Charge, which is payable by employers when assigning Certificates of Sponsorship to new or existing sponsored workers. This is expected to follow later this year.
The Joelson immigration team can assist with reviewing existing sponsorships for any potential complications or with actioning Certificate of Sponsorship assignments ahead of 22 July 2025. They can also advise individuals on any concerns they may have regarding their sponsorship.
Please contact Jennifer Maxwell-Harris for further information.
This article is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking or deciding not to take any action.
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