The Skilled Worker route is a key route for sponsored workers working eligible jobs and seeking to settle in the UK. This route was subject to major changes on 22 July 2025.
Changes since 22 July 2025
The key changes include:
- Salary thresholds increased: The general threshold has been raised from £38,700 to £41,700.
- Skill threshold increased: For new applications where the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is assigned on or after 22 July 2025, jobs at RQF Level 6 (Degree level) or above will normally qualify. Roles at RQF Levels 3 – 5 (Below degree level) are no longer eligible for new applications unless they are on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
- Introduction of the Temporary Shortage List: The new TSL contains RQF Levels 3 -5 occupations. Workers in occupations on the TSL will not be able to bring dependents and will not benefit from any salary or visa fee discounts. The occupations included on the list are time-limited until the end of 2026 and are subject to review.
- Transitional protection for current Skilled Workers: Applicants already on the route or with a CoS issued before 22 July 2025 will still be able to make applications under the occupation codes below RQF Level 6, subject to certain criteria being met.
- Revision of Appendix Skilled Occupations: This contains the bulk of eligible jobs and is often the starting point to determine whether a role may be eligible under Appendix Skilled Worker. It has been significantly expanded in-line with transitional arrangements whilst reducing the number of eligible roles.
- Revision of Tradeable Points: Any applicant under the Skilled Worker route must meet a combination of Mandatory Points and Tradeable Points. Some criteria are mandatory, which must be met by all applicants, while others are ‘tradeable’, which can be traded depending on how the criteria are met. All applicants must meet a 70-point threshold through a combination of the Mandatory Points and Tradeable Points. As a part of the changes, the list of Tradeable Points available has been expanded in-line with the redrafting of Appendix Skilled Occupations and transitional arrangements.
Understanding Appendix Skilled Occupations
New Skilled Worker applicants can make applications for the occupation codes listed in:
- Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations; or
- Temporary Shortage List; or
- Immigration Salary List.
For those who were previously on the Skilled Worker route by 22 July 2025, can make applications for the occupation codes listed in:
Table 1a, Table 2aa or Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
For those who were previously on the Skilled Worker route by 04 April 2025, can make applications for the occupation codes listed in:
Table 2, 2a, or 2aa or Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Not all existing skilled workers seek or need to rely on occupation codes contained beyond Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Worker. This depends on various factors including the type of job, salary package, circumstances surrounding the application etc.
Tradeable Points
Below is a table summarizing the options under the current regime for new applicants that were not previously on the Skilled Worker route by 04 April 2024:
|
Option |
Salary/Role criteria |
|
A – Salary only |
Minimum salary of at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
B – PhD |
Minimum salary of at least £37,500 or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
C – STEM |
Minimum salary of at least £33,400 or 80% of the going rate of the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
D – Immigration Salary List |
Minimum salary of at least £33,400 or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
E – New Entrant |
Minimum salary of at least £33,400 or the 70% going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
For those who were on the Skilled Worker route by 04 April 2024, the following options are available:
|
Option |
Salary/Role criteria |
|
F – Salary only |
Minimum salary of at least £31,300 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
G – PhD |
Minimum salary of at least £28,200 or the 90% going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
H – STEM |
Minimum salary of at least £25,000 or 80% of the going rate of the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
I – Immigration Salary List |
Minimum salary of at least £25,000 or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
|
J – New Entrant |
Minimum salary of at least £25,000 or the 70% going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
For those who are eligible for Health or Education codes:
|
Option |
Salary/Role criteria |
|
K – Health or Education codes under Table 3 or 3a |
Minimum salary of at least £25,000 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. |
It should be noted that those under specific Health & Care ASHE jobs can qualify under tradeable points F – J.
Our comment
The July 2025 changes to the Skilled Worker route are one of the most significant recalibrations of the UK’s work visa framework since its introduction. By increasing both the salary threshold to £41,700 and skill level to RQF level 6, the government has focused the route on attracting individuals for graduate-level and highly specialised roles.
The introduction of the TSL provides some flexibility, allowing the government to respond to short-term labour shortages. However, as a time-limited and review-based list, it does not appear to serve as a long-term solution for some medium skilled sectors reliant on sponsored labour.
For employers, the implications are significant. The pool of eligible global talent has narrowed considerably. Only roles classed at RQF Level 6 or above, unless on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, will qualify for new sponsorship, and salaries must meet the higher threshold. Businesses seeking to recruit skilled workers should therefore become familiar with these changes when formulating recruitment strategies.
If you are an employer seeking guidance on recruitment, or an applicant exploring eligibility under the new Skilled Worker regime, please reach out to our team for tailored advice and assistance.
