📢 Introduction: Huge Changes to the UK Immigration System
If you've been wondering what the
recent July 2025 UK immigration changes mean for you—relax. This blog post
explains everything clearly and simply.
On 1st July 2025, the UK Home
Office published a 138-page document outlining major changes to
immigration rules. These changes are part of the UK government’s sweeping
reforms detailed in the recent White Paper. While the full document is
lengthy, we've broken it down into 5 major updates you need to know.
📌 Summary of the Key Changes
- Salary Threshold Increase for Skilled Worker Visas
- Education Requirement Increased to Degree Level (RQF
Level 6)
- Overseas Recruitment of Care Workers Ending
- New Temporary Shortage Occupation List Introduced
- Fee and Salary Concessions Removed
Let’s now break each one down in
plain English.
🔺 1. Skilled Worker Salary Threshold Increased
From 22nd July 2025, the minimum
salary required for Skilled Worker visa applicants will increase to:
- £41,700 per year
(up from £38,700)
- PhD roles:
£37,500 (previously £34,830)
📌 What this means for employers:
- If you want to sponsor someone from abroad (Africa,
Asia, Caribbean, America, etc.), you must be willing to pay at least
£41,700 per year.
- If not, you won’t be allowed to issue a Certificate
of Sponsorship (CoS).
📌 What this means for applicants:
- Tougher job prospects.
- Employers may prefer local applicants who are willing
to work for less, making it harder to find sponsorship from overseas.
🎓 2. Education Requirement Raised to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s
Degree)
This is perhaps the most
significant shift.
From 22nd July 2025:
- Skilled Worker applicants must hold a degree-level
qualification (RQF Level 6 or equivalent).
- This will eliminate around 180 jobs from the
eligibility list—roles that previously accepted diplomas or vocational
certificates.
✅ For context:
- RQF Level 3: A-Levels
- RQF Level 4–5: HND/Foundation Degree
- RQF Level 6: Bachelor's Degree ← Now the minimum required
- Level 7: Master’s
- Level 8: PhD
🔍 Examples of affected roles:
- Many technicians, retail managers, care workers, and
diploma-level nurses may no longer be eligible unless they have a
bachelor's degree.
❌
3. End of Overseas Care Worker Recruitment
This is the end of an era.
From 22nd July 2025, overseas
recruitment for care workers will be closed.
- Employers cannot sponsor carers from abroad
anymore.
- New applications for care jobs from outside the UK will
be rejected.
⚠️ Why?
The UK Home Office cited:
- Exploitation
- Non-compliance by many care companies
- Widespread abuse in the system
✅
What if you're already in the UK as a carer?
Good news — there are transitional
provisions until July 2028:
- You can still switch employers, provided:
- You’ve worked at least 3 months with your
current sponsor.
- You can still bring dependants (if already
allowed).
- You can still extend your visa.
- You can still take supplementary work, even
below RQF 6.
BUT:
- New applicants from overseas: not allowed.
- Switching from another visa (e.g., Student to Care
Visa): also not allowed.
⚠️
4. New "Temporary Shortage Occupation List"
As they close one door, they open
another...
The UK is launching a Temporary
Shortage Occupation List, offering:
- Time-limited visas
for sub-degree level roles in critical sectors.
- This allows certain essential workers to come in even
without a degree.
BUT:
- No dependants
allowed.
- No discounts
on visa fees or salary thresholds.
🎯 Which jobs may qualify?
- Roles critical to the UK’s industrial strategy or
infrastructure.
- Likely includes nurses, especially those with
diplomas.
🚨 However:
- It’s temporary (timeline not yet defined).
- More details expected in a future update.
💷 5. Removal of Discounts & Fee Waivers
The UK will eliminate all fee and
salary threshold discounts for workers coming in under the Temporary
Shortage Occupation List.
This means:
- No more lower salary exceptions for shortage
roles.
- Visa fee discounts removed.
🙋 Who Is Affected?
|
Category |
Impact |
|
New overseas applicants (care
roles) |
Cannot apply after 22nd July 2025 |
|
Current care workers in UK |
Can extend visa, switch jobs (with
conditions), bring dependants till 2028 |
|
Other skilled workers in UK |
Can continue to bring dependants,
switch employers, extend visas |
|
Employers |
Must offer £41,700+ salary and
only recruit degree-qualified workers |
|
Nurses/diploma holders |
Likely to rely on the Temporary
Shortage List (TBC) |
✍
Final Thoughts: What You Should Do Now
📌 If you're already in the UK, you’re relatively
safe—but stay informed.
📌 If you plan to apply from abroad, start your
process immediately if your job is still eligible.
📌 If you're a nurse or care worker, consider
contacting a reliable relocation agency or immigration advisor urgently.
🎓 Tip: For those in the healthcare sector, start
your exams and paperwork ASAP, especially if you hold a diploma.
This window may close permanently.
📄 Helpful Resources
- 📘 138-Page Official Immigration Rule Changes (PDF)
- 📄 12-Page Explanatory Memorandum Summary
- 🔗 Official UKVI Skilled Worker Guide
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