Major Visa & Skilled Worker Reforms effective 22 July 2025 -

Immigration Reform: Major Updates on Skilled Worker Visa-effective 22 July 2025

Skill and salary thresholds increased: Skilled Worker visas now require roles at graduate level (RQF 6), removing ~111–180 lower-skilled jobs. General salary threshold rises from £38,700 to £41,700. The Health & Care visa salary requirement remains £25,000 thetimes.co.uk+15nhsemployers.org+15womblebonddickinson.com+15.
Temporary shortage list introduced: Select medium-skilled roles will stay eligible under a time‑limited “Temporary Shortage List” requiring employers to show UK recruitment efforts dentons.com+3taylorwessing.com+3ft.com+3.
Transitional rules: Certificates of Sponsorship issued by 21 July 2025 or pending applications remain under the old rules clydeco.com+11taylorwessing.com+11dentons.com+11.

From 22 July, overseas sponsorship for care workers (occupation codes 6135 & 6136) will end. Only those already in the UK with a Certificate of Sponsorship can adjust status until July 2028 news.sky.com+15irwinmitchell.com+15womblebonddickinson.com+15.
UK CAREWORKER VISA UPDATE

White Paper “Restoring Control” begins: New rules reflect a pivot toward higher skills, domestic workforce training, and stricter border controls ft.com+6gov.uk+6ft.com+6.
Family visas & indefinite leave to remain: Future reforms to language requirements, visa fees, and potential extension of the ILR qualifying period to 10 years are planned later in 2025 .

Yet-to-agree UK–France “one-in, one-out” deal: Progress on returning illegal Channel migrants is ongoing ahead of Macron’s visit; France’s enforcement has been criticized, with record crossings this summer en.wikipedia.org+9thetimes.co.uk+9thescottishsun.co.uk+9.
Online promotion of illegal crossings criminalized: New legislation will ban content that encourages or facilitates irregular migration thesun.co.uk.
UK-FRANCE

eVisa rollout issues: Up to 200,000 long-stay residents (e.g., Windrush generation) may be left undocumented if they don’t register migration online theguardian.com.

If you plan a Skilled Worker visa, act before 22 July to benefit from the current rules.
Roles below graduate level are now mostly ineligible unless on the temporary list.
Care sector employers must hire locally after the deadline.
Stay alert to evolving digital registration rules, especially if you hold longstanding leave.