Wednesday 9 July 2025

Last updated on Tuesday 5 August 2025 and originally posted on Wednesday 21 May 2025 – to be amended as more information becomes available.

When was the Immigration White Paper published, and where can I read it?             

The White Paper, Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, was published on Monday 12 May 2025. The full 82-page document is available on GOV.UK here.

What skills changes have been implemented for the Skilled Worker route, following the white paper release?           

On 22 July 2025, the minimum skill threshold rose from RQF 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF 6 (degree level). Roles below RQF level 6 are now only eligible for sponsorship if they appear on the new interim Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for occupations experiencing labour shortages or the expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL).

To qualify for inclusion on the TSL, an occupation must show evidence of long-term shortages, receive endorsement from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), operate under an approved workforce plan and involve employer commitments to domestic recruitment and training. Sectors relying heavily on overseas workers must publish and implement workforce strategies to address sector labour shortages, reduce reliance on overseas workers or risk losing sponsor status. Details on implementing these arrangements have not been published, though the interim TSL relying on existing data commenced on 22 July 2025.

Salary levels for Skilled Workers have also risen from 22 July 2025.

What salary changes are proposed for the Skilled Worker route?

From 22 July 2025, salary thresholds have been updated  in line with 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, including the following increased minimum thresholds:

• for Skilled Workers who entered the route from April 2024 onwards:
  • general salary threshold: £41,700 (increased from £38,700);
  • applicants with a relevant PhD: £37,500 (from £34,830);
  • new entrants: £33,400 (from £30,960);
• thresholds for Skilled Workers who entered the route before April 2024 will increase to:
  • general salary threshold: £31,300 (from £29,000);
  • applicant with a relevant PhD: £28,200 (from £26,100);
• Skilled Worker settlement salary thresholds will increase to:
  • general roles: £41,700;
  • ISL roles: £37,500;
  • migrants who entered the route pre-April 2024, or who are sponsored in a Health and Care role: £33,400.

Going rates for individual occupations have also been updated to align with the latest ASHE data, so sponsors must check the correct occupation to ensure compliance with these changes.

What salary changes are proposed for other work routes?

Salaries for the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes also increased on 22 July 2025:

• Global Business Mobility route salary thresholds have been raised to the following levels:
  • Senior or Specialist Worker: increased to £52,500 (from £48,500);
  • Graduate Trainee: increased to £27,300 (from £25,410);
  • Expansion Worker: increased to £52,500 (from £48,500);
• Scale-up route salary threshold increased to £39,100 (from £36,300).

As with the Skilled Worker route, going rates for individual occupations have also increased to align with ASHE data, so sponsors must check the correct occupation to ensure compliance with these changes for Global Business Mobility and Scale-up route applicants.

Will costs change for sponsors?

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is also set to increase by 32%, although the date of this change has not yet been announced. This change means employers will pay £6,600 for five years of permission, up from £5,000.

What is happening to the social care route under the Skilled Worker route?

The social care worker route (part of the Skilled Worker route) closed to new overseas applicants on 22 July 2025, though those already in the UK can extend or switch immigration routes in-country until 22 July 2028.

What is the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)?         

The TSL will eventually replace the Immigration Salary List (ISL) and offer concessions for RQF 3–5 roles in certain occupations. For the time being, the two lists will coexist.

Following the eventual phase-out of the ISL in 2026 (specific date to be confirmed), sponsors will only be able to sponsor overseas workers in roles below skill level RQF 6 if the role is placed on the TSL, and only for a limited time and number of places. To qualify, an occupation must meet four conditions:

• long-term shortages;
• endorsement from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC – the body that advises the government on immigration policy);
• a workforce plan; and
• employer commitment to training UK-based workers.

How do the TSL and ISL differ?

The TSL includes roles deemed to have a shortage of workers in the UK. The TSL offers skill level concessions to the Skilled Worker route to enable individuals to work in RQF 3 to 5 roles, thereby permitting a temporary exception to the normal RQF 6 or above minimum skill requirement.

The ISL also permits roles skilled at RQF levels 3 to 5 to continue to be eligible for sponsorship. Additionally however, unlike the TSL, the ISL offers salary level concessions to the Skilled Worker route. While the general Skilled Worker salary threshold requires applicants entering the route from April 2024 onwards to earn at least £41,700 per year, or the going rate in their occupation (whichever is higher), roles on the ISL benefit from a reduced general salary threshold of £33,400 (for migrants who were already in the route prior to April 2024, further discounts apply) making it easier for employers to sponsor workers from particular sectors.

Once the ISL is eventually abolished applicants will therefore only be offered concessions to skill levels under the TSL, rather than skill levels and salary levels as is the case under the ISL.

How will the Student and Graduate routes change?         

The period of stay under the Graduate route (which enables international students graduating from UK universities to stay in the UK post-graduation) will be shortened from 24 months to 18 months. This change has yet to be implemented.

The government will consult on a levy for universities that recruit international students and introduce new compliance and recruitment standards for student sponsors.

Are any routes being expanded for highly skilled migrants?                

Yes. From 22 July, the number of Expansion Worker places available to overseas businesses opening UK branches has been doubled. The government also intends to increase allocations under the Global Talent and other top skill routes, introduce faster entry pathways for strategic sector experts and simplify access for leading talent in science and design. It will review the Innovator Founder route to support university-based entrepreneurs. 

The High Potential Individual (HPI) route – for graduates of prestigious universities worldwide to relocate to the UK – will expand, with double the number of qualifying institutions and a 24-month stay for eligible overseas graduates.

What changes are planned for family migration and exceptional circumstances?        

A new family migration policy will be introduced by the end of the year. It will apply to all UK residents seeking to bring family members here. Key changes include:

• new relationship and financial requirements to prevent forced marriage;
• extending Appendix FM rules to all dependants;
• strengthened ‘good character’ criteria;
• updated ‘exceptional circumstances’ guidance; and
• new protections for armed forces families under the Armed Forces Covenant.

The approach to Article 8 – right to family and private life – cases will be revised, to give greater consideration to the public interest as weighed against an individual’s family rights and limit the number of cases which are considered as ‘exceptional’ for the purpose of granting permission on compassionate grounds.  Furthermore, appeals in lawful entry asylum claims will be limited where no material change in circumstances has occurred abroad.

How will English language requirements be affected?   

Minimum English language standards will increase across several routes:

• for routes already requiring English level B1 (including Skilled Worker), the level will rise to B2 (requiring a greater ability to understand complex language and engage in more fluent and spontaneous communication);
• adult dependents will need to demonstrate English at level A1 (beginner). They must meet A2 for extensions and B2 for settlement;
• the general English language requirement for settlement will also rise from B1 to B2.

What are the proposed changes to settlement and citizenship?                       

The general residence requirement for settlement will increase from five to ten years. Faster routes may remain for those who make significant economic or social contributions. The five-year path for partners and children of British citizens will continue, but with stricter eligibility criteria.

New routes include:

• immediate settlement for bereaved parents of British or settled children;
• regularisation routes for care leavers turning 18 without immigration status.

Planned citizenship reforms include:

• a shift to an ‘earned settlement’ model, whereby those who make significant economic or social contributions should benefit from a shorter, 5-year residence period for settlement;
• points-based elements for naturalisation;
• a refreshed Life in the UK test; and
• possible fee reductions for young people raised in the UK.

When will these reforms take effect?

An initial Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 997 was published on 1 July 2025, delivering changes to sponsored work route skills and salary thresholds, establishment of the interim Temporary Shortage List and closure of the social care route to new overseas applicants. These reforms were implemented on 22 July 2025.

Other timeframes for introducing the above-detailed changes have not been announced. However, some broad indications have been given, which are summarised in the table below.

Provision	Timing	Notes
Skilled Worker threshold raised to RQF 6 and creation of Temporary Shortage List	from 22 July 2025	transitional rules apply to renewals and in-country switches
social care route closed to new overseas applicants	from 22 July 2025	existing workers may extend or switch in the UK until 22 July 2028
new English language requirements for dependants	2025	part of broader integration strategy
further asylum and border reforms	summer 2025	builds on current legislation
establishment of the TSL framework and interim List using current shortage data	partially commencing from 22 July 2025	depends on workforce strategies and MAC input MAC commissioned to review TSL. To provide Stage 1 report by January 2026 and Stage 2 report by July 2026
interim TSL using current shortage data	from 22 July 2025	transitional measure ahead of full TSL rollout; full rollout will depend on MAC input and outcome of review
social care visa renewals and switches	until 22 July 2028	limited to migrants already in the UK
workforce strategy requirements for high migration sectors	medium term	needed to retain sponsorship rights
MAC review of salary thresholds and discounts	report expected in January 2026	to support fair and skills-based design
Labour Market Evidence Group work	ongoing from 2025	will inform future immigration decisions
consultation on settlement residence period	autumn 2025	will help define accelerated settlement routes

What should sponsors do now to prepare for the new Skilled Worker thresholds? 

Employers should anticipate disruptions to workforce planning and skills pipelines due to reintroducing the RQF level 6 threshold under the Skilled Worker route, which now excludes many previously eligible roles at lower skill levels.

Without transitional protection, the increases to salary thresholds will raise sponsorship costs and may impact budget forecasting. From 22 July onwards, sponsors must ensure that proposed salaries meet the new minimum thresholds and the increased occupation-specific going rates.

Employers should review any roles currently sponsored at RQF 3–5 and assess whether these might qualify under the new Immigration Salary List (ISL). High-recruitment sectors are encouraged to begin long-term workforce planning and develop training pathways to reduce reliance on overseas labour.

Migrants already in the UK may be able to extend or switch roles under transitional arrangements, but those in roles that fall below the new thresholds may no longer qualify for settlement. Sponsors should discuss these risks with staff and await further guidance from the Home Office.

How will the English language changes affect applicants and sponsors?                

Sponsors should ensure all applicants are aware of the new requirements. They may need to support candidates with preparation time or English tuition where appropriate. In some sectors, the shift to English threshold B2 for settlement could impose an unrealistically steep language-learning curve on individuals, making it harder to retain staff in the long term.

When will the settlement and citizenship changes be introduced?           

The increase to a ten-year residence requirement will be subject to consultation later in 2025. Other changes will follow, including ‘earned settlement’ and a revised Life in the UK test.

Which of these changes will apply to migrants already in the UK?         

The increase to the Skilled Worker minimum skill threshold, from RQF 3 to RQF 6, only applies to people entering the Skilled Worker route after these changes were introduced on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Individuals already in the UK under the route prior to this date can continue benefiting from the current Rules, including those permitting lower-skilled roles.

There are no transitional provisions for the salary threshold increases. Those who were already in the UK on sponsored work routes by 22 July must adhere to the new Rules upon extension of immigration permission or for a settlement application. New applicants must adhere to updated salary thresholds from 22 July 2025.

Some reports also indicate that the government is preparing to apply the 10-year qualifying period for settlement to those already in the UK and new applicants. This potential change is likely to cause disruption for many migrants who are hoping to settle in the UK in the coming years. However, such a move will be subject to a public consultation and therefore transitional arrangements may yet be argued for and secured for migrants already in the UK.

It remains to be seen which other changes will apply only to new arrivals, and which will apply retroactively to those already in the UK.