UK Skilled Worker Visa
Changes 2025
From 22 July 2025 the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa rose to £41,700 — up from £38,700. Eligible occupations were narrowed and the care worker route was heavily restricted. Here's what changed and what it means for your job search.
£41,700
New general minimum salary (up from £38,700)
£33,360
New entrant rate (80% of general threshold)
22 July 2025
Date new rules took effect (Statement of Changes HC 997)
ISL updated
Immigration Salary List revised — fewer shortage discounts
Narrower SOC list
Fewer occupations qualify — focus on RQF Level 3+
Care route restricted
Overseas adult care worker recruitment significantly limited
The New £41,700 Salary Threshold
The biggest change from 22 July 2025 is the rise in the general salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 per year. This is the minimum a Skilled Worker must earn unless:
- You qualify as a new entrant (under 26, switching from Student/Graduate visa, or in first 3 years of a profession) — new entrant rate is £33,360
- Your occupation's going rate is lower than £41,700 — you still pay at least £41,700
- Transitional provisions apply (if you held a visa before July 2025)
Bonuses, overtime, and tips do not count. Only guaranteed contractual salary is assessed.
Narrower List of Eligible Occupations
The July 2025 reforms also removed certain occupations from the Skilled Worker route. The focus shifted further towards roles at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels or higher). Some lower-skilled roles that had been included in previous versions of the route were removed.
Use our Salary Checker to look up whether your specific role and SOC code is still eligible and what minimum salary applies.
Immigration Salary List — Fewer Discounts
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) — which replaced the Shortage Occupation List in April 2024 — was updated alongside the July 2025 changes. Fewer occupations now benefit from the 20% going-rate discount. The ISL is reviewed quarterly by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Being on the ISL means an employer can pay 80% of the going rate for that specific occupation — but the salary still must not fall below the general threshold of £41,700 (or £33,360 for new entrants).
Care Worker Route — Major Restrictions
The adult social care sector was significantly impacted. Overseas recruitment into many care worker roles became heavily restricted. Employers in the care sector can only sponsor overseas workers in regulated healthcare roles in many circumstances.
If you work in care, your best options now are:
- Regulated healthcare roles — nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists
- Senior care roles that meet the £41,700 threshold
- NHS positions, which are less affected by the restrictions
Check if your job meets the new threshold
Use our free Salary Checker — enter your job title to see the updated 2025 going rate and whether your offer qualifies.
Salary CheckerFrequently Asked Questions
Find jobs that qualify under the new rules
Every job on SponsorshipJobs is from a verified sponsor — already filtered for the roles and salaries that qualify under the updated 2025 rules.
Source: Home Office Statement of Changes HC 997, July 2025. This page is updated regularly. Not legal advice.