UK Visa Overhaul July 2025: Stricter Skilled Worker Rules and Longer ILR Path

Key Takeaways

• From July 22, 2025, Skilled Worker visa requires RQF Level 6 and salary rises to £41,700.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain timeline doubles to ten years; Health and Care Worker route closes to new applicants.
• Temporary Shortage List valid until 2026 with no dependent visas; eVisas replace physical stickers July 15, 2025.

Sweeping changes to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 immigration system are set to take effect from July 15, 2025, marking one of the most significant UK Visa Overhaul efforts in recent years. These reforms, rooted in the government’s May 2025 White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” are designed to reduce net migration, prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid workers, and make the path to settlement much longer. For Indian nationals and other foreign professionals, these changes will reshape the Skilled Worker route, salary requirements, and settlement timelines. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s changing, who is affected, when the changes take effect, and what actions applicants and employers need to take.

Summary of Key Changes

The UK Visa Overhaul introduces tougher rules for the Skilled Worker visa, raises the salary threshold, and extends the timeline for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR). It also closes the Health and Care Worker route for new overseas applicants, shifts all visas to a digital eVisa system, and introduces a Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for certain roles. These changes are part of a broader plan to modernize the UK’s immigration system and reduce reliance on lower-skilled migration.

What’s Changing and When

1. Eligibility & Skill Level: RQF 6 Requirement

• Effective July 22, 2025, the minimum skill level for the Skilled Worker visa rises from RQF Level 3 (equivalent to A-level) to RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level).
• This means that over 100 occupations previously eligible for sponsorship will no longer qualify. The government has confirmed that at least 111 occupations are being removed from the eligible list.
• Who is affected: New applicants for the Skilled Worker visa in roles below RQF 6 will not be eligible. However, workers already sponsored in sub-degree roles before July 22, 2025, can continue to renew their visas and switch employers under transitional rules, but only for a limited period.

2. Salary Threshold: Higher Minimums for Skilled Workers

• The minimum salary threshold for new Skilled Worker applicants increases from £38,700 to £41,700 per year.
• PhD holders in relevant fields must earn at least £37,500, or £33,400 if their PhD is in a STEM subject or the role is on the shortage list.
• New entrants (those under 26 or recent graduates) can still get a 30% discount, but the minimum is now £33,400.
• Historic entrants (those sponsored before April 2024) benefit from transitional lower thresholds, which rise from £29,000 to £31,300.
• No salary discounts apply for roles on the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL).

3. Settlement Timeline: Longer Road to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

• The qualifying period for ILR doubles from five to ten years for Skilled Workers.
• This change reflects the government’s aim to ensure that settlement is “earned” through a longer period of work and residence.
• There may be a fast-track route for “high contributors,” but the criteria for this have not yet been published.

4. Health & Care Worker Route: Closure and Transition

• From July 2025, new overseas applications for the Health and Care Worker visa—especially for care assistants—are suspended.
• Those already in the UK on this route can continue to switch employers or extend their stay until July 22, 2028.
• The salary threshold for most Health and Care Visa holders remains at £25,000, but entry-level Band 3 roles are no longer eligible.

5. Shift to eVisas and Stricter Employer Compliance

• Starting July 15, 2025, physical visa stickers are replaced by secure eVisas linked to passports.
• Employers must now justify hiring overseas workers through a verified workforce strategy and face stricter compliance checks.
• There is increased enforcement, with more sponsor licence revocations for non-compliance.

6. Temporary Shortage List (TSL): Limited and Time-Bound

• Roles below RQF 6 may still qualify for sponsorship if they are on the new TSL, which is strictly time-limited and expires at the end of 2026.
• No dependent visas are allowed for TSL roles, and there are no salary or visa fee discounts.
• The existing Immigration Salary List (ISL) will be phased out in favor of the TSL.
• The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the TSL and advise on which occupations and salaries should remain.

Timeline of Key Reforms

• July 1, 2025: Reforms laid in Parliament.
• July 15, 2025: eVisas launch, replacing physical visa stickers.
• July 22, 2025: New Skilled Worker rules, salary and skill thresholds, and TSL take effect.
• End of 2026: Temporary Shortage List expires; ISL fully phased out.
• July 22, 2028: Last date for in-country switch under Health & Care Worker route.

Who Is Affected?

These changes will have a wide impact on Indian nationals, who currently make up the largest group of Skilled Worker visa holders, as well as other foreign professionals seeking to work in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The reforms also affect employers, especially in sectors like health and social care, hospitality, and technical fields that have relied on overseas workers in sub-degree roles.

Implications for Skilled Workers and Employers

Fewer Eligible Roles

• Many technical, supervisory, and sub-degree positions are now excluded from sponsorship. This means that applicants must check if their job is at RQF 6 or above, or if it appears on the TSL.

Higher Salary Requirements

• The increased salary threshold will make it harder for applicants in lower-paid sectors to qualify. Employers must ensure that job offers meet the new minimums.

Longer Wait for Settlement

• The extension of the ILR qualifying period from five to ten years means that skilled workers will need to plan for a much longer stay before they can settle permanently.

Family Migration Impact

• Roles on the TSL do not allow dependants, which may disrupt family plans for those seeking to bring spouses or children to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

Digital Transition

• All applicants must adapt to the new eVisa system. Employers need to update their HR and compliance systems to handle digital right-to-work checks.

Sectoral Impact

• The closure of the Health and Care Worker route for new overseas applicants will hit the care sector hard, increasing pressure to train and recruit more domestic workers.

Compliance Risk

• Employers face higher scrutiny and risk of losing their sponsor licence if they do not comply with the new rules.

Immediate Actions: What Should You Do Now?

For Applicants:

• Before July 22, 2025: Secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and submit your visa application under the old rules if you are in a sub-degree role or do not meet the new salary threshold.
• Check job eligibility: Make sure your job is at RQF 6 or above, or is listed on the TSL or ISL.
• Evaluate salary readiness: Confirm that your job offer meets the new minimum salary requirements.
• Plan for ILR: Factor in the new 10-year settlement period when making career and residence decisions.
• Monitor updates: Stay alert for further Home Office guidance, especially on fast-track settlement and TSL reviews.

For Employers:

• Review workforce strategies: Ensure you have a clear plan for justifying overseas hires and investing in domestic training.
• Update compliance protocols: Prepare for digital right-to-work checks and stricter Home Office audits.
• Prepare for eVisas: Update HR systems to handle digital visa checks and support employees through the transition.
• Check sponsor licence status: Make sure your licence is up to date and that you are meeting all compliance requirements.

Practical Guidance for Pending Applications

If you are currently in the process of applying for a Skilled Worker visa, or if your employer is considering sponsoring you, it is critical to act quickly. Applications submitted before July 22, 2025, will be processed under the old rules, which have lower skill and salary thresholds and a shorter path to settlement. After this date, the new, stricter rules will apply.

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You must have a valid CoS issued before July 22, 2025, to apply under the old rules. You can find more information and the official form on the UK government website.
• eVisa transition: If you already have a physical visa sticker, you will need to switch to an eVisa after July 15, 2025. The Home Office will provide instructions on how to do this.
• Health and Care Worker route: If you are already in the UK on this route, you can continue to switch employers or extend your stay until July 22, 2028. New overseas applications are not allowed after July 2025.

Background and Context

The UK government previously lowered the skill threshold to RQF 3 in 2020 to help businesses after Brexit. However, a sharp increase in visa numbers and concerns about exploitation in lower-skilled roles led to a return to RQF 6. Net migration to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 quadrupled between 2020 and 2024, increasing political and public pressure for reform. The new rules are part of a broader strategy to reset the immigration system, reduce reliance on overseas workers, and encourage domestic skills development.

Future Outlook

• The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the TSL and may further restrict or adjust eligible roles and salaries before the end of 2026.
• The Home Office is expected to publish criteria for fast-track ILR for “high contributors,” but details are still pending.
• Further digitalization of immigration processes and compliance checks is likely.
• Additional restrictions could be introduced if there is evidence of abuse or exploitation in any sector.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• The UK Home Office provides regular updates and official guidance on immigration rules. You can find the latest information on the GOV.UK Immigration Rules page.
• Employers and applicants can contact the Home Office or seek advice from qualified immigration professionals for case-specific questions.
• For Skilled Worker visa forms and guidance, visit the official Skilled Worker visa page.

Key Takeaways

• The UK Visa Overhaul from July 2025 brings tougher rules for Skilled Workers, higher salary thresholds, and a longer road to settlement.
• Applicants and employers must act quickly to secure visas under the old rules before July 22, 2025.
• The new system prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid migrants and reduces opportunities for lower-skilled roles.
• The path to settlement is now longer and more demanding, requiring careful planning and compliance.
• The shift to eVisas and stricter employer checks means both applicants and employers must adapt to new digital processes.
• Family migration will be harder for those in TSL roles, and the closure of the Health and Care Worker route for new overseas applicants will impact the care sector.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mark a strategic shift in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 immigration system. For Indian nationals and other foreign professionals, the door to the UK remains open, but the path is now much narrower and more competitive. Early action, careful planning, and staying informed about ongoing policy updates are essential for anyone hoping to work or settle in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 under the new rules.

Next Steps

• Applicants: Review your eligibility, secure a CoS, and apply before July 22, 2025, if possible. Prepare for the eVisa transition and plan for a longer settlement timeline.
• Employers: Update your workforce strategy, ensure compliance with the new rules, and support your overseas hires through the digital transition.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check official government resources for updates and further guidance as the new system rolls out.

By understanding these changes and acting quickly, both applicants and employers can better prepare for the new era of UK immigration.

Learn Today

Skilled Worker visa → A UK visa allowing foreigners to work in skilled roles meeting specific salary and skill standards.
RQF Level 6 → The Regulated Qualifications Framework level equivalent to a bachelor’s degree required from July 2025 for visa eligibility.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) → The status allowing permanent residence in the UK, with updated eligibility now requiring ten years.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL) → A list permitting sponsorship for certain lower-skilled roles subject to time-limited rules expiring in 2026.
eVisa → A digital visa system replacing physical stickers, linking visas electronically to passports for streamlined immigration checks.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting July 2025, the UK overhauls its Skilled Worker visa, raising skill and salary requirements, extending settlement timelines, and introducing eVisas, reshaping immigration for Indian and foreign professionals.
— By VisaVerge.com