Immigration

UK Immigration Rule Changes – July 2025

Following the UK Government’s 2024 Immigration White Paper, a series of significant Immigration Rule changes will take effect on the 22nd of July 2025.

July 8, 2025

min read

Following the UK Government’s 2024 Immigration White Paper, a series of significant Immigration Rule changes will take effect on the 22nd of July 2025.

These changes form part of a wider strategy to: Reduce the number of eligible SOC codes across work routes, increase salary thresholds in line with labour market conditions and remove RQF Level 3 occupations, limiting eligibility to RQF Level 6 roles (graduate level and above).

Skilled Worker Route – Key Changes

Salary Threshold Increases – Appendix Skilled Worker

New salary minimums for several bands have changed, based on a 37.5-hour working-week:
– General threshold: £41,700 up from £38,700
– New Entrants: £33,400 up from £30,960
– Health and Care Worker: £28,200 up from £26,100
For those already on Skilled Worker visas and who are eligible for transitional arrangements, the annual salary threshold has also been increased.
RQF Level 3 Occupations have been removed.
The Skilled Worker route will now only accept occupations at RQF Level 6 or above, removing eligibility for lower-skilled roles.

Global Business Mobility Route – Key Changes

Salary Threshold Increase

The minimum salary has risen to £52,500, up from £48,500, based on a 37.5-hour working week.

Updated Salary Calculation Example

Reaffirms that salary calculations are based on a 48-hour week cap.
Example: If an individual works 48 hours per week, the calculation will be as follows:
– £52,500 / 37.5/hrs multiplied by 48/hrs = £67,200 annual salary to qualify

Key Considerations

Review job roles and ensure they meet RQF Level 6 criteria: What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland – GOV.UK
Confirm revised salary thresholds for any new initiations that will be processed post 22nd July 2025.
Adjust CoS planning and recruitment strategies in advance of the 22nd July 2025 cut-off.
Further information can be found in the Statement of Changes dated 1st July 2025: Statement of changes

To stay up to date with immigration updates/news from across the globe, connect with K2 Corporate Mobility on LinkedIn.

Connect on LinkedIn

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions we hear most about business immigration.

What are the new Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds in the UK?

From 22 July 2025, UK Skilled Worker salary minimums increased across all bands, based on a 37.5-hour working week. The general threshold rose to £41,700 (from £38,700), the New Entrant threshold to £33,400 (from £30,960), and the Health and Care Worker threshold to £28,200 (from £26,100).

Workers already on a Skilled Worker visa who qualify for transitional arrangements also saw their applicable salary threshold increase.

Are RQF Level 3 jobs still eligible for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

No. As of the July 2025 changes, RQF Level 3 occupations were removed from the Skilled Worker route. The route now only accepts occupations at RQF Level 6, broadly degree-level, or above, which removes eligibility for lower-skilled roles that previously qualified.

Employers sponsoring roles below this level need to review job classifications against the updated list, since roles no longer meeting RQF Level 6 will not support a valid sponsorship.

What is the new minimum salary for the Global Business Mobility route?

The Global Business Mobility route's minimum salary rose to £52,500 from £48,500, based on a 37.5-hour working week. Because salary calculations use a 48-hour week cap, someone actually working 48 hours a week needs a salary of £67,200 a year to qualify: £52,500 divided by 37.5 hours, multiplied by 48 hours.

Employers should recalculate qualifying salaries using this formula before submitting a Certificate of Sponsorship.

When did the July 2025 UK salary threshold changes take effect?

The new thresholds applied to Certificates of Sponsorship processed from 22 July 2025 onwards, following the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules dated 1 July 2025.

Employers were advised to confirm revised salary thresholds for any new sponsorship initiated after that date and to adjust Certificate of Sponsorship planning and recruitment strategies ahead of the cut-off.