On 1 July 2025, the Home Office released Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 997), along with a press release. It sets out the Government’s ambition to “restore order and control” to the UK immigration system.

The 138-page statement covers a wide range of reforms to the immigration system. But it primarily gives effect to many of the skilled worker reforms that are in line with those set out in the White Paper released earlier in May 2025. 

Increase in Skills Threshold under Sponsored Work Routes – Taking Effect on 22 July 2025

From 22 July 2025, UK employers must only assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for jobs at RQF level 6 or above to sponsored skilled workers. This will result in a reduction of around 180 occupations from the existing list of eligible occupations under the Skilled Worker route. However, applicants who are already in the skilled worker route, sponsored before the switchover date, or whose job appears on the ISL (Immigration Salary List) or a new interim TSL (Temporary Shortage List), may continue in lower-skilled
jobs for now.

Appendix Skilled Occupations will therefore get more tables – Tables 1, 2, and 3 list jobs at skill level of RFQ 6 and above, and Tables 1a, 2aa, and 3a list jobs at skill level of RQF 3-5.

Increase in Salary Threshold under Sponsored Work Routes – Taking Effect on 22 July 2025

All general salary thresholds have been updated in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. The salary threshold under Paragraph SW4.4 will rise as follows:

• Option A - The general threshold for skilled workers has been raised to £41,700 from £38,700.
• Option B – The salary threshold has been raised to £37,500 from £34,830 for applicants who have a PhD in a subject relevant to their job.
• Option C, D and E – The salary threshold has been raised to £33,400 from £30,960 for applicants who have PhD in a STEM subject relevant to their job or being sponsored for a job on the ISL (Immigration Salary List), or are a new entrants at the start of their career,.
• Option F – The general salary threshold has been raised to £31,300 from £29,000.
• Option G – The salary threshold has been raised to £28,200 from £26,100 for applicants who have aPhD in a subject relevant to their job.

TSL (Temporary Shortage List) Replacing ISL (Immigration Shortage List) – Taking Effect on 22 July 2025

Existing ISL lists jobs that are eligible for discounted salaries. The Immigration White Paper, released in May 2025, set out that a brand new TSL will replace the existing ISL. Occupations below RQF level 6 must be listed on the TSL in order to be sponsored.

Sponsors can still recruit below-degree staff only where the job appears on:

(i) An expanded Immigration Salary List that contains the existing entries plus all RQF 3-5 level occupations the MAC judged to be in shortage, or
(ii) An interim Temporary Shortage List that contains jobs at RQF 3-5 level that the Treasury and DBT has identified as critical to the Modern Industrial Strategy.

Care Workers Removed from Eligible Occupations List - Taking Effect on 22 July 2025

New applications for entry clearance will end on 22 July 2025 for SOC codes 6135 (care workers) and 6136 (senior care workers).

However, employees will be able to switch in-country into these codes until 22 July 2028, but only where they have already worked for their sponsoring provider for at least three months.

These roles will disappear completely from all shortage lists after July 2028.

Loss of Dependant Rights – Taking Effect on 22 July 2025

Anyone sponsored into an occupation at RQF 3-5 level on ISL or TSL after 22 July will not be allowed to bring their family members to the UK. This does not restrict workers already on the route or those sponsored in RQF 6 or above jobs from bringing their family members.

ARAP (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) Route Closes to New Principal Applicants – Taking Effect on 1 July 2025

Appendix ARAP closed to new principal applicants at 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. Applications from the family members of existing principals will be kept open. The ARAP (Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme) will also close to new referrals. However, existing and eligible cases will continue to be considered.