The UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025 introduces major regulatory changes effective 22 July 2025, bringing tougher criteria for foreign professionals seeking employment in the United Kingdom. The updates raise the minimum salary threshold to £41,700 per year and the skill requirement to RQF Level 6, or degree-equivalent roles, as part of the government’s strategy to target high-skilled immigration while maintaining economic balance.
Administered by the Home Office, these reforms reshape employer sponsorship and immigration processes, prioritizing graduate-level talent and critical shortage occupations. While the visa remains one of the UK’s key work migration paths, compliance obligations and application costs are expected to increase under the new framework.
What’s Changing from July 2025
From 22 July 2025, the UK Skilled Worker route will undergo several significant updates:
- The minimum skill level rises from RQF Level 3 (A-level) to RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree).
- The general salary floor increases from £38,700 to £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the specific occupation—whichever is higher.
- English language proficiency requirements increase to B2 (upper intermediate) from 8 January 2026.
- Employers face higher Immigration Skills Charges (ISC)—up to £1,320 per sponsored worker per year from 16 December 2025.
These changes mean only roles demanding degree-level expertise will qualify for sponsorship unless the occupation appears on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or the Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
Workers currently employed under older, lower thresholds are protected by transitional arrangements if their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued before July 2025.
Who Can Apply for the 2025 Skilled Worker Visa
Applicants must meet all core eligibility conditions, including:
- Job offer: From a Home Office-licensed sponsor for an eligible occupation at or above RQF Level 6.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: A valid electronic reference number assigned by the employer (valid for three months).
- Salary requirement: At least £41,700 or the role’s going rate, calculated by the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020).
- English proficiency: Minimum B2 CEFR level through a UKVI-approved language test or equivalent degree in English.
- Financial maintenance: At least £1,270 in savings unless the employer certifies financial support on the CoS.
- Genuine vacancy requirement: The job must be real, paid, and not created solely to facilitate immigration.
Applicants also need a valid passport, proof of English, TB test results (for residents of applicable countries), and a clean criminal background certificate.
Salary and Occupation Rules
The general salary threshold aligns with the government’s emphasis on reducing low-wage migration. For most degree-level positions, the pay must meet the higher of:
- £41,700 per year, or
- The going rate listed for the registered occupation code.
Exceptions apply to specific groups:
- PhD holders: Eligible for reduced rates of £37,500 (relevant field) or £33,400 (STEM/ISL).
- New entrants (aged under 35): Permitted salary from £33,400, capped at four years.
- Health and Care Workers: Minimum £25,000 per year based on national pay scales, with continued exemption from the higher threshold.
- ISL roles: Allowed at 80% of the standard rate, around £33,400.
The new rules aim to ensure only high-value, high-skill roles qualify under the main visa route while maintaining access to essential workers through controlled exception lists.
Examples of Eligible and Shortage Roles
Occupations qualifying at RQF 6 or higher include managerial, professional, and technical positions. Below are some examples from official Appendix Skilled Occupations and the Immigration Salary List (ISL):
| Job Code | Occupation | Skill Level | Minimum Salary | ISL Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2112 | Biological scientists | RQF 7 | £40,300 | £30,700 (ISL rate) |
| 1232 | Care managers | RQF 6 | £33,400 | £25,000 (Health & Care) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | RQF 3 (TSL exception) | £33,400 | £25,000 (temporary) |
| 6135 | Care workers | RQF 3 (TSL exception) | £33,400 | £25,000 (TSL/CQC-registered sponsors only) |
While construction and care sectors remain partly protected by shortage exemptions, most medium-skilled jobs below RQF 6 will be phased out from new sponsorship eligibility.
Cost Breakdown and Visa Fees
Obtaining a UK Skilled Worker Visa involves several cost components:
- Application Fee: £719 for up to three years outside the UK or £1,639 for five years. Inside UK extensions cost £885.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year for healthcare access.
- Immigration Skills Charge (Employer): £1,320 annually per sponsored worker (£1,000 for small companies).
- Priority Processing: £500 (five working days) or Super Priority £1,000 (next working day).
Employers should plan budgets carefully, as the combined impact of new charges and salary floors represents the most extensive update since the original Tier 2 system was replaced by the current Skilled Worker route.
Application Process Step by Step
- Receive a job offer and CoS from a licensed sponsor.
- Prepare documents: passport (6-month validity), CoS number, job offer letter, English certificate, proof of finances, criminal record checks, and TB test (if relevant).
- Submit the online application through GOV.UK within three months of your job start date.
- Pay visa and IHS fees using the official portal.
- Provide biometrics: either at a UKVCAS centre or through the UK Immigration ID Check app.
- Await decision: about three weeks outside the UK or eight weeks for in-country applications.
- Travel and begin work: approved applicants receive a digital eVisa or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for entry.
Dependants—spouses, partners, and children under 18—can accompany or join later, subject to the same financial and residence standards as the main applicant.
Visa Duration and ILR Pathway
The Skilled Worker Visa can be granted for up to five years and extended indefinitely if employment conditions continue to be met. After five years, holders may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided they meet continuous residence rules, have no immigration breaches, and earn at least £41,700 or their occupation rate.
ILR allows permanent stay and access to full rights of employment, serving as a key route to long-term settlement in the UK labour market.
Transitional Provisions and Employer Duties
Holders of pre-July 2025 CoS will retain legacy thresholds (£38,700) for initial applications. However, all new grants and extensions after 22 July must align with updated RQF and salary criteria.
Employers must maintain strict sponsor compliance, filing reports of employee changes—such as role adjustments or termination—within 10 days. Breaches may lead to licence suspension.
The Bigger Picture
The UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025 reforms reflect the government’s dual aim of reducing net migration while targeting high-value talent essential to sectors like science, technology, and healthcare. The higher pay bar and degree requirement align with global competition for skilled professionals while streamlining the path to settlement for genuine experts.
For overseas applicants, preparing well—verifying employer sponsorship, meeting salary and English requirements, and budgeting for fees—remains the most reliable path to securing long-term opportunities within Britain’s evolving workforce framework.