The UK immigration landscape is continuously evolving, and a significant set of changes to the Skilled Worker visa route is just around the corner, coming into effect on 22nd July 2025. These updates are crucial for sponsoring employers and overseas workers alike, and it's imperative to understand their implications to ensure compliance and avoid application refusals.
These changes are part of the UK government's broader strategy to support a high-skilled, high-wage economy and reduce reliance on lower-skilled overseas recruitment, as outlined in the Immigration White Paper.
Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:
1. Elevated Skill Threshold for Skilled Worker Visas
The most impactful change is the rise of the skill threshold from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 (graduate-level roles). This means over 100 occupations previously eligible for the Skilled Worker visa will no longer qualify.
What this means for Defined Certificates of Sponsorship (DCoS) and Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (UCoS):
- Outstanding DCoS Requests (Pre-22nd July 2025): If your DCoS request for a role not at RQF Level 6, or not on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL), has not been decided by 22nd July 2025, it will be rejected.
- Granted DCoS (Pre-22nd July 2025): Any DCoS granted before 22nd July 2025 for roles below RQF Level 6 (and not on the ISL/TSL) must be assigned before this date. If not assigned, they should generally not be assigned unless transitional arrangements apply.
- New DCoS Requests (On or After 22nd July 2025): All new DCoS requests for roles not at RQF Level 6, or not on the ISL or TSL, will be rejected.
- Refusals: Visa or leave applications supported by a DCoS or UCoS issued from 22nd July 2025 where the SOC code is not at RQF Level 6 or on the ISL or TSL, and where transitional arrangements do not apply, will be refused.
Transitional Arrangements for Current Skilled Worker Visa Holders:
Good news for existing Skilled Worker visa holders! Transitional arrangements will allow individuals already sponsored in sub-RQF Level 6 roles before 22nd July 2025 to continue in those roles. However, these arrangements are subject to future review.
If you need to resubmit a DCoS request for a worker extending their permission from overseas under transitional arrangements (after 22nd July 2025), you must indicate this in the ‘Job description’ field by adding:
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS APPLY - worker extending leave from overseas. Worker’s most recent CoS number is [insert CoS number]
Similarly, for any UCoS assigned from 22nd July 2025 where the SOC code is not at RQF Level 6 or on the ISL or TSL, you must clearly state which transitional arrangements apply.
2. Specific Changes for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers (SOC Codes 6135 & 6136)
Significant restrictions are being placed on these occupations due to concerns about widespread abuse and exploitation.
- Out-of-Country Applications: Applications from overseas under SOC codes 6135 (care workers and home carers) and 6136 (senior care workers) are now closed.
- In-Country Switching: Permitted if the worker has been legally working for you as a care worker or senior care worker on another immigration route for at least 3 months before you assign them a CoS. This is a temporary provision until 22nd July 2028, subject to review.
- In-Country Extensions: Permitted if the worker was last sponsored as a Skilled Worker under these codes (or their predecessors) and has had continuous permission since then.
What this means for DCoS for Care Workers:
- Outstanding and New DCoS Requests: All outstanding requests for DCoS for SOC codes 6135 and 6136 (submitted on or after 22nd July 2025, or not decided by that date) will be rejected.
- Granted DCoS (Pre-22nd July 2025): Any DCoS granted for these codes prior to 22nd July 2025 must be assigned before this date.
- Overseas Visa Applications: Overseas visa applications supported by a DCoS issued from 22nd July 2025 for SOC codes 6135 and 6136 will be refused.
- UCoS for Care Workers: You must clearly state on any UCoS assigned from 22nd July 2025 how the worker meets the specific eligibility criteria for in-country switching or extensions.
3. Updated Salary Requirements
Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up salary thresholds and going rates have been updated in line with Office for National Statistics data. No transitional arrangements apply to these salary updates.
- All CoS assigned from 22nd July 2025 must reflect the new salary thresholds and going rates.
- For DCoS granted but not assigned prior to this date, salary amendments can be made by adding a sponsor note once assigned.
4. Introduction of a Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
A new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is being introduced to allow time-limited access to roles below RQF Level 6. This list will run alongside the existing Immigration Salary List (ISL).
- The TSL provides access to sub-RQF 6 roles, but without dependants.
- Unlike the ISL, there is no discount to the salary requirements or lower visa application fee for jobs on the TSL.
- The CoS form will be updated from 22nd July 2025 to include an option to confirm if the job is on the ISL or TSL.
Important System Downtime
To implement these significant changes, the sponsor licence application form and the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) will be unavailable from 18:00 on Monday 21st July until 09:00 on Tuesday 22nd July 2025.
Action Required: If you intend to apply for or assign any CoS before these changes take effect, you must do so before the system downtime.
The clock is ticking! These changes are complex and have immediate implications. We strongly advise all sponsoring employers to review their current and upcoming recruitment plans to ensure full compliance. If you have any doubts or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Visalogic today on 0845 646 1456 for clear and professional advice tailored to your situation.