UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes July 2025 – What You Need to Know

Big shifts are on the way for anyone dealing with the UK Skilled Worker visa. From 22 July 2025, the Home Office will bring in fresh rules under the Statement of Changes HC 997. These updates will increase salary requirements and tighten eligibility criteria, especially around the skill level of sponsored roles.

Whether you’re an employer sponsoring skilled staff, a visa holder thinking about extending, or someone planning to move to the UK, knowing what’s changing is essential. This guide covers every update you need to prepare for the UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes July 2025, so you can avoid nasty surprises and keep your plans on track.

What Are the Skilled Worker Visa Changes in July 2025?

The July changes mark the biggest overhaul of the Skilled Worker route since it replaced the Tier 2 visa. From 22 July:

• General salary threshold increases to £41,700 per year for most Skilled Worker roles.
• Many lower skilled roles, like chefs (SOC code 5434) and care workers (6135), will no longer qualify.
• The going rates for specific occupations are also rising, and all new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) must match updated figures.
• Eligibility rules are changing so that only roles at RQF Level 6 or above will qualify for new sponsorship.

These updates mean over 100 occupations will drop off the list of eligible jobs, affecting thousands of workers and employers across the UK.

Why Are the Skilled Worker Rules Changing?

The government says the changes are designed to:

• Keep salary thresholds aligned with labour market conditions, reflecting UK wage growth.
• Reduce dependence on low-paid overseas labour, encouraging employers to train and recruit local workers.
• Promote fair wages and skills-based migration, rewarding higher qualifications and experience.
• Target genuine skills shortages more effectively, instead of keeping broad lists of low-wage occupations open for sponsorship.

These updates are also part of a wider immigration strategy aimed at controlling net migration and ensuring overseas hires meet the country’s needs without undercutting local wages.

When Do the July 2025 Changes Take Effect?

The 22 July 2025 deadline is key:

• Any Skilled Worker visa application or CoS assigned before 22 July will be processed under the old rules, including lower salary thresholds.
• Applications made on or after 22 July must comply with the new salary and skill level requirements.
• If you plan to extend, switch employers, or apply for a new Skilled Worker visa, you’ll also need to follow the updated rules if your CoS is assigned from 22 July onwards.

For applications already submitted with CoS assigned before the deadline, transitional arrangements apply, meaning they’ll still be assessed under current requirements.

New Salary Thresholds for Skilled Worker Visa (July 2025)

Here’s what’s changing with the salary figures:

• The general minimum salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas goes up from £38,700 to £41,700 per year.
• Each occupation has its own going rate based on SOC codes. These going rates will increase in line with updated Home Office guidance effective 22 July.
• Tradeable points options, such as shortage occupations or new entrants (graduates under 26), will still allow some salary flexibility but the thresholds for these routes will also rise.
• Certain health and care roles may have special or capped salary requirements, but these are narrowing significantly from July 2025.

Employers and applicants must check the latest Home Office salary tables to confirm if their roles and offers meet these new standards.

How Do the Changes Affect Employers?

Employers sponsoring Skilled Workers must take immediate steps:

• Review all current and upcoming job offers to ensure salaries meet the new minimums. 
• Any Certificates of Sponsorship issued on or after 22 July must show salaries at or above the updated thresholds. 
• Failing to adjust salaries could lead to refusals, wasted fees, and disrupted recruitment plans. 
• Employers without a sponsor licence should apply now and request priority processing, as getting a licence after July will not allow sponsorship of many roles being removed from eligibility. 
• Budgets and recruitment plans should be reassessed urgently to avoid unexpected costs or delays once the changes kick in.

Impact on Skilled Worker Visa Applicants

If you’re a current or prospective Skilled Worker, these updates could have a major effect:

• Applications made after 22 July must show your salary meets the new threshold.
• Lower offers will mean refusals, even if your job previously qualified.
• Anyone switching employers or extending their Skilled Worker visa after the deadline will need a CoS reflecting the updated salary requirements.
• Waiting too long could make you permanently ineligible if your job is among the roles being removed or if your salary doesn’t meet the new rates.

Exceptions and Tradeable Points

The Skilled Worker route allows some flexibility through tradeable points, which let you qualify with lower salaries if you meet certain conditions, such as:

• Having a job on the Shortage Occupation List (soon transitioning to the Temporary Shortage List, or TSL).
• Being a new entrant under 26 years old.
• Having a relevant PhD in a subject aligned with your job.

But even in these tradeable scenarios, salary floors are rising. For example, new entrants will still need at least 70% of the new going rate for their occupation, rather than the current lower thresholds.

Health and care workers may continue to benefit from separate requirements, but the recruitment of new overseas care workers will close altogether from 22 July 2025.

Always check the latest Home Office guidance or get professional advice to confirm if your situation qualifies for any exceptions.

How to Prepare for the Skilled Worker Visa Changes

Acting early is the best way to stay ahead of these updates:

• Employers should audit all job offers, CoS assignments, and upcoming applications to confirm they meet the new rules.
• Skilled Worker applicants must check their salaries and ensure they meet updated requirements before applying or extending. 
• HR teams should update offer letters, policies, and contracts to reflect the new thresholds and eligibility. 
• Seek professional advice as soon as possible to avoid rejected applications, compliance issues, or costly delays.

FAQs – UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes July 2025

What is the new Skilled Worker salary threshold from July 2025?

The general minimum salary for Skilled Workers increases to £41,700 per year for CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025.

When do the new Skilled Worker visa rules start?

The new rules apply to any CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025, affecting new applications, extensions, and job changes.

Will current visa holders be affected?

Current Skilled Workers with CoS issued before 22 July are protected under transitional arrangements. But once you extend or switch jobs after this date, you’ll need to meet the new requirements.

Can I still apply under old thresholds if I apply before July 2025?

Yes. Applications with CoS issued before 22 July 2025 will follow existing salary and eligibility rules, even if the Home Office decides your application after the deadline.

The UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes July 2025 will significantly reshape who can live and work in the UK under this route. With salary thresholds rising to £41,700 and many roles below RQF Level 6 being removed, both employers and skilled migrants must act fast.

Making sure job offers, CoS assignments, and sponsorship plans meet the new standards before 22 July 2025 is crucial. Planning now can prevent rejections, keep your recruitment on track, and secure your workforce’s future.

Need Help with the Skilled Worker Visa Changes?

Don’t risk delays, refusals, or losing your chance to sponsor or work in the UK. The team at Solicitors in Manchester is here to help you understand the updates, prepare compliant job offers, and submit your applications before the rules change.

• Book your free initial appointment now: Book Here
• Call us: 0161 464 4140
• Email us: ask@solicitorsinmanchester.co.uk

Secure your future today with clear, friendly advice tailored to your needs.