New UK Visa Rules: Are You Eligible?

The United Kingdom has ushered in a new era for its Skilled Worker Visa, with substantial reforms taking effect on July 22, 2025. These changes, designed to recalibrate net migration and champion higher-skilled roles, introduce more stringent eligibility criteria and significantly elevated salary benchmarks. This comprehensive overhaul demands immediate attention from both aspiring applicants and sponsoring employers worldwide, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of global talent seeking opportunities in the UK.

What's New and What This Means for You

The cornerstone of the recent reforms rests on two pivotal shifts: a marked increase in the required skill threshold and a substantial rise in salary expectations. As of July 22, 2025, all new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) must be for roles classified at RQF Level 6 (equivalent to a bachelor's degree) or higher. This critical adjustment effectively removes approximately 180 occupations previously eligible at lower skill levels, particularly impacting sectors such as hospitality, logistics, and certain segments of the care industry.

Concurrently, salary thresholds across various work visa categories, including the Skilled Worker visa, have seen a significant hike. For most new applications, the general minimum salary threshold has surged from £38,700 to £41,700 per annum. Moreover, specific "going rates" for individual occupation codes have been revised upwards, reflecting the latest earnings data.

For those already in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa, if your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned before July 22, 2025, you might be able to continue in your current role and renew your visa under the previous skill-level rules until July 22, 2028. However, any extensions or changes of employer with a CoS issued on or after July 22, 2025, will necessitate meeting the new, higher salary thresholds, with no transitional arrangements for salary increases.

A notable development within these reforms is the ban on overseas recruitment for care workers under the Skilled Worker route, also effective July 22, 2025. This measure primarily impacts new applicants, while those already sponsored for care roles before this date will remain unaffected. Further changes include a proposed reduction of the post-study Graduate visa from two years to 18 months, impacting international students transitioning to work, and anticipated stricter English language requirements, including for dependents of work visa holders. While still under consultation, a proposal to extend the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to ten years for Skilled Workers is also on the table, though not yet in force.

Impact on Workers from South Asia and Africa

These changes will undoubtedly reshape opportunities for workers from regions such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and various African nations, which have historically been significant sources of skilled migrant labour in the UK. The elevated skill and salary thresholds mean that many roles previously accessible to individuals with vocational qualifications or mid-level skills are now out of reach, intensifying competition for the remaining eligible positions, predominantly graduate-level roles. The ban on overseas recruitment for care workers will particularly affect those from countries that have been major suppliers of talent to this sector.

Despite these challenges, opportunities persist. The UK continues to actively seek highly skilled professionals to address critical labour shortages in specific industries. However, the clear focus has shifted towards attracting top-tier talent.

Opportunities Remain, But the Path is Clearer

For those aspiring to come to the UK, the pathways are now more defined and notably more competitive. Prospective applicants must strategically target roles that meet the RQF Level 6 requirement, spanning professions in IT, engineering, healthcare (excluding direct care roles for new overseas recruits), education, and management. Securing a job offer that meets the significantly higher general salary threshold of £41,700, or the specific "going rate" for their occupation (whichever is higher), is paramount. Opportunities remain contingent on securing a job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office. While the broader "shortage occupation list" has been replaced by the "Immigration Salary List," roles on this updated list may still offer some salary concessions, though the overarching skill level requirement remains stringent.

In essence, the UK Skilled Worker Visa continues to be an avenue for international talent, but it has evolved into a far more selective route, prioritising highly qualified and highly remunerated professionals. Aspiring applicants are urged to meticulously research eligible occupations, ensure their qualifications align with RQF Level 6, and secure competitive job offers that satisfy the new salary thresholds. Concurrently, employers must adapt their recruitment strategies and ensure full compliance with the updated immigration rules to continue sponsoring overseas workers effectively.