UK Reviews Salary Requirements and Temporary Shortage List for Work Visas

The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 has introduced sweeping changes to its work visa system in 2025, reshaping how employers and migrants must approach recruitment, sponsorship, and compliance. These changes, announced in the May 12 Immigration White Paper and formalized in the July 1, 2025 Statement of Changes, focus on raising salary requirements, tightening skill thresholds, and introducing a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL). The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is at the center of these reforms, tasked with reviewing both salary requirements and the TSL to ensure the new system supports the UK’s economic and workforce goals.

Below, you’ll find a detailed summary of what has changed, who is affected, when the changes take effect, what actions are required, and what these updates mean for pending and future applications.

Summary of Key Changes

Salary Requirements for UK Work Visas

Starting July 22, 2025, the salary requirements for UK Work Visas, especially the Skilled Worker route, have increased sharply:

• General annual salary threshold rises to £41,700 (previously £38,700).
• Discounted ‘new entrant’ threshold increases to £33,400.
• Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker route threshold jumps to £52,500.
• Minimum hourly rate is now £17.13.
• Occupation-specific going rates have also been updated, and applicants must meet the higher of the general threshold or the going rate for their job.

These changes are designed to ensure that hiring migrant workers does not drive down wages for UK nationals. The MAC has been asked to review whether these salary thresholds are appropriate, if discounts for PhD holders and new entrants should remain, and how often these thresholds should be reviewed.

Skill Level Requirement

The minimum skill level for Skilled Worker visas is now RQF Level 6 (degree level), up from RQF Level 3. This means only jobs that require degree-level skills or higher are generally eligible for sponsorship, with very limited exceptions for roles on the new TSL or for those already in the system before the change.

Discounts and Special Provisions

• Discounts for PhD holders and new entrants still exist but are now based on the higher salary thresholds.
• Health & Care Worker route: The Social Care Worker route is closing to new applicants. New shortage occupation routes do not allow dependants.
• Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes: Salary thresholds have increased to match the new Skilled Worker requirements.

Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain, ILR) Changes

• The qualifying period for ILR is now 10 years of continuous residence for Skilled Worker visa holders, up from 5 years. This means migrants must wait longer before they can settle permanently in the UK.

English Language Requirement

• The English requirement has been raised from CEFR Level B1 to B2 for both main applicants and adult dependants, making it harder for those with lower English skills to qualify.

Transitional Arrangements

• Current Skilled Worker visa holders are not affected by the new RQF Level 6 threshold and can continue to renew or switch roles under the old rules.
• Applications and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned before July 22, 2025, will be assessed under the previous rules.

Temporary Shortage List (TSL) and the End of the Immigration Salary List (ISL)

Abolition of the ISL

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is abolished from July 22, 2025. The ISL had replaced the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) in April 2024, but now both lists are defunct. The new TSL takes their place, but only as a temporary measure.

Introduction of the TSL

• The TSL is a time-limited list of sub-degree level (RQF 3–5) roles that are considered essential to the UK’s industrial and workforce strategy.
• Only a small number of RQF 3–5 roles will remain eligible for sponsorship if they appear on the TSL.
• The TSL is set to expire on December 31, 2026, unless the MAC recommends otherwise.
• The MAC will review the TSL regularly, considering workforce needs, risks of exploitation, and the strategic importance of each role.

List of TSL Occupations

As of July 22, 2025, the TSL includes roles such as vehicle technicians, mechanics, electricians, and vehicle body builders. The list is expected to change after the MAC’s review, so employers and migrants should check the latest updates before applying.

Closure of Social Care Worker Route

• The Social Care Worker route is closed to new applicants from July 22, 2025.
• Dependants are no longer permitted for new shortage occupation routes.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

Employers

• Must review sponsorship plans and budgets to meet the new salary and skill thresholds for any roles assigned after July 22, 2025.
• Should assign Certificates of Sponsorship before July 22, 2025, to benefit from the current, more flexible rules.
• Need to re-evaluate hiring strategies for roles below RQF Level 6, as most will no longer be eligible unless on the TSL.
• Must ensure compliance with new sponsorship, salary, and skill requirements, and prepare for increased Home Office checks.

Migrant Workers

• New applicants must meet higher salary and skill thresholds and stricter English language requirements.
• Those who do not qualify under the new rules may need to look for alternative immigration routes or focus on TSL-listed roles.
• Existing visa holders can extend or switch under the old rules, as long as they do so before July 22, 2025.

Effective Dates and Transitional Arrangements

• July 22, 2025: All new applications and Certificates of Sponsorship assigned from this date must follow the new rules.
• Before July 22, 2025: Applications and CoS assigned before this date will be assessed under the old rules.
• December 31, 2026: The TSL is set to expire, with further changes possible after the MAC’s review.

Required Actions for Employers and Migrants

Employers

• Audit your workforce and recruitment plans to see which roles will be affected by the new salary and skill requirements.
• Adjust salary offers and job descriptions to meet the new thresholds.
• Assign Certificates of Sponsorship before July 22, 2025, if you want to use the current, more flexible rules.
• Review your use of RQF 3–5 roles and consider how the closure of these routes will affect your business.
• Prepare for increased compliance checks and make sure all sponsorship paperwork is up to date.

Migrant Workers

• Apply or extend your visa under the current rules before July 22, 2025, if you are eligible.
• Check if your job is on the new TSL if you are applying after July 22, 2025, and your role is below RQF Level 6.
• Prepare for higher English language requirements and gather evidence to meet the new CEFR B2 standard.
• Plan for a longer route to settlement, as the ILR qualifying period is now 10 years.

Implications for Pending Applications

• Applications submitted before July 22, 2025, or with CoS assigned before this date, will be processed under the old rules.
• Applications submitted on or after July 22, 2025, must meet the new salary, skill, and language requirements.
• Employers and migrants with pending applications should check the status of their CoS and ensure all documents are in order.

Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) Review and Future Outlook

The MAC is reviewing the new salary requirements, the TSL, and the use of discounts for PhD holders and new entrants. Their reports are expected later in 2025 and could lead to further changes in 2026 and beyond. The MAC will also decide whether differentiated thresholds should remain for Health & Care, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up visas.

Employers in shortage sectors should expect more changes to sponsorship rules, salary tests, and compliance duties after the MAC’s recommendations are published. The TSL is only a temporary fix and may be replaced or extended depending on the MAC’s findings.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• Government: The changes are described as a “complete reset” to restore control over migration, reduce net migration, and prioritize training and hiring UK nationals.
• Employers: Many are concerned about increased costs, reduced access to overseas talent for mid-skilled roles, and the urgent need to adapt recruitment and retention strategies.
• Migration Experts: Some warn that higher thresholds and skill requirements could make shortages worse in sectors that struggle to attract UK workers. The TSL is seen as only a short-term solution.

Summary Table: Key Changes Effective July 22, 2025

Official Resources and Next Steps

For the most up-to-date information on salary requirements, eligible roles, and application processes, visit the official UK government Skilled Worker Visa guidance. Employers can also find detailed instructions on sponsor licensing and compliance at the UKVI Sponsor Guidance.

If you need to check the latest list of eligible occupations or salary rates, or if you want to see the current TSL, consult the Home Office Immigration Rules and the Migration Advisory Committee’s official pages.

Actionable Takeaways

• Employers: Review your workforce needs, adjust salary offers, and assign CoS before July 22, 2025, if possible. Prepare for stricter compliance and higher costs for sponsoring workers.
• Migrants: Apply or extend your visa under the current rules before the deadline. If applying after July 22, 2025, check if your job is on the TSL and prepare for higher salary and English language requirements.
• Monitor MAC updates for further changes expected later in 2025 and 2026.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes signal a major shift in the UK’s approach to work visas, aiming to reduce reliance on overseas recruitment and focus on high-skilled, well-paid roles that support the country’s long-term workforce and industrial goals.

For complex cases or if you are unsure how the new rules affect you, seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser or consult the Home Office Sponsorship Helpline at 0300 123 4699.

By staying informed and acting quickly, both employers and migrants can better manage the transition to the new system and avoid unexpected setbacks.

Learn Today

Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) → An independent UK body reviewing salary and skill requirements for immigration policy updates.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL) → A time-limited list of certain sub-degree roles eligible for sponsorship until December 31, 2026.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) → An official UK document employers assign to migrant workers to authorize visa applications.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) → Permanent residency status allowing migrants to live and work indefinitely in the UK.
RQF Level 6 → A qualification level equivalent to a university degree, now required for most Skilled Worker visas.

This Article in a Nutshell

The UK’s 2025 visa reforms raise salary and skill thresholds to protect local wages, introduce the Temporary Shortage List, and lengthen settlement periods, dramatically reshaping work visa eligibility and employer responsibilities in the mid-skilled labor market.
— By VisaVerge.com