Key Takeaways
• New care visa applications from overseas workers end July 22, 2025 in the UK.
• Skilled worker visas require RQF Level 6 and salary of £41,700 from July 22, 2025.
• Over 100 roles removed from shortage occupation list; stricter English and family rules apply.
Sweeping Changes to UK Care Visas and Skilled Worker Immigration: What You Need to Know
The UK government has announced major changes to its immigration system, with new rules taking effect from July 22, 2025. These reforms focus on care visas and skilled foreign workers, aiming to reshape how employers recruit from abroad and how foreign nationals can work in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The changes are part of a broader immigration white paper released in May 2025, which the government describes as a “complete reset” of the system. Here’s what these changes mean, who is affected, and what steps employers and workers need to take.
Who is affected?
– Overseas care workers seeking to work in the UK
– Employers in the care sector
– Skilled foreign workers applying for jobs in the UK
– Families of skilled workers and shortage occupation workers
What is changing?
– The UK will stop accepting new care visa applications from overseas workers
– The minimum salary and skill level for skilled worker visas will rise
– Fewer jobs will qualify for the shortage occupation list
– English language requirements will become stricter
Let’s break down these changes, explain what they mean in simple terms, and look at the practical impact for everyone involved.
End of Overseas Recruitment for Care Workers
What’s happening?
Starting July 22, 2025, the UK will no longer accept new visa applications from overseas care workers under the Health and Care Worker visa route. Employers will not be allowed to sponsor new international care workers after this date.
Why is this happening?
The UK government says this move is needed because of ongoing problems in the care sector, including abuse, exploitation, and employers not following the rules. By stopping new overseas recruitment, the government hopes to protect vulnerable workers and encourage the hiring of local staff.
What about care workers already in the UK?
– If you are already in the UK on a care visa, you can extend your visa or switch to another visa route until July 22, 2028.
– To qualify, you must have been legally employed by your sponsor for at least three months before your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued.
– After July 2028, care worker roles will be removed from the Skilled Worker visa eligibility lists. This means you won’t be able to extend your stay in the UK as a care worker after that date.
What should employers do?
– Employers must stop recruiting new care workers from overseas by July 22, 2025.
– They should review their sponsorship licenses and workforce plans to make sure they follow the new rules.
– Employers can still support current care workers in the UK to extend their visas or switch to other routes until 2028.
How does this affect the care sector?
This change will make it harder for care homes and other care providers to fill jobs with overseas workers. The government hopes this will push employers to improve pay and conditions to attract more local workers. However, some care providers worry it could lead to staff shortages and affect the quality of care.
Higher Skill and Salary Thresholds for Skilled Worker Visas
What’s changing?
The UK is raising both the skill level and the minimum salary needed for skilled worker visas.
- Skill Level:
The minimum skill level for skilled worker visas is increasing from RQF Level 3 (which is like A-levels) to RQF Level 6 (which is like a Bachelor’s degree). This means most jobs now need at least a university degree or something similar. -
Salary Threshold:
The minimum salary for skilled worker visas is rising from £38,700 to £41,700 per year.
If you have a relevant PhD, the minimum salary goes up from £34,830 to £37,500.
Why are these changes being made?
The government says these changes are based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The goal is to make sure that only highly skilled and well-paid workers come to the UK, and to prevent employers from using immigration to fill lower-paid jobs.
Are there any exceptions or transition periods?
– No transitional arrangements for new applicants: If you apply for a skilled worker visa after July 21, 2025, you must meet the new skill and salary requirements.
– Transitional arrangements for current workers: If you were already sponsored by July 21, 2025, you can benefit from lower salary requirements until your visa expires or is extended.
What does this mean for skilled foreign workers?
– It will be harder to qualify for a skilled worker visa unless you have a university degree and a job offer with a salary above the new threshold.
– Lower-paid skilled jobs will no longer qualify for skilled worker visas.
– If you are already in the UK on a skilled worker visa, you may be able to extend your stay under the old rules, but only until your current visa runs out.
What should employers do?
– Employers must review job offers and salaries to make sure they meet the new requirements.
– They should check if their current sponsored workers are affected and plan for any changes needed when visas are renewed.
For more details on the Skilled Worker visa, including eligibility and application steps, you can visit the official UK government page.
Fewer Jobs on the Shortage Occupation List
What’s changing?
The government is removing over 100 roles from the shortage occupation list, including jobs like chefs and plasterers. Only a few critical roles will remain on a temporary shortage list, and these roles will lose fee and salary discounts that made it easier and cheaper to hire from overseas.
What about dependants?
Dependants (family members) of workers on the shortage list will no longer be allowed to accompany them to the UK. This could make it less attractive for skilled foreign workers to take up these jobs.
Why is this important?
The shortage occupation list made it easier for employers to fill jobs that were hard to recruit for in the UK. By cutting the list and removing discounts, the government wants to make sure only the most needed roles are filled by overseas workers, and that employers try harder to hire locally.
Stricter English Language Requirements
What’s changing?
Both skilled workers and their dependants will face stricter English language requirements. The minimum standard is being raised to CEFR Level B2, which means you must be able to communicate clearly in English in most everyday situations.
- Adult dependants will have to meet increasingly higher English standards over time.
Why is this happening?
The government says better English skills help people settle in the UK, find work, and avoid exploitation.
How can applicants meet the requirement?
Applicants can prove their English skills by passing an approved English language test or by having a degree taught in English. For more information on English language requirements, check the official UK government guidance.
Why Is the UK Government Making These Changes?
According to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, these reforms are a “complete reset” of the immigration system. The main reasons given are:
- Protecting vulnerable workers: The care sector has seen many cases of abuse and poor working conditions for overseas workers.
- Raising standards: By increasing skill and salary thresholds, the government wants to attract only the most qualified and well-paid workers.
- Encouraging local recruitment: The government hopes employers will invest more in training and hiring local staff, especially in the care sector.
- Aligning with economic needs: The changes are meant to make sure immigration supports the UK’s economic priorities.
Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said that the new salary requirements are based on the latest official data and that a full review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will follow.
What Does This Mean for Stakeholders?
Care Workers
- New overseas applicants: You will not be able to apply for a care visa to work in the UK after July 22, 2025.
- Current care workers in the UK: You can extend your visa or switch to another visa route until July 22, 2028, if you meet the employment requirements.
- After July 2028: Care worker roles will be removed from the Skilled Worker visa list, so you cannot extend your stay as a care worker.
Employers
- Care sector employers: Must stop recruiting new overseas care workers by July 22, 2025, and plan for a workforce without new international hires.
- All employers: Need to review job offers, salaries, and sponsorship arrangements to make sure they meet the new skill and salary thresholds.
- Shortage occupation employers: Must adjust to the removal of many roles from the shortage list and the loss of fee and salary discounts.
Skilled Foreign Workers
- New applicants: Must have a job offer at RQF Level 6 or above and a salary of at least £41,700 (or £37,500 with a relevant PhD).
- Current skilled workers: May be able to extend their visas under the old rules, but only until their current visa ends.
- Family members: Dependants of shortage occupation workers will not be able to join them in the UK.
Families
- Dependants: Stricter rules mean fewer family members can accompany skilled workers, especially those on the shortage occupation list.
- English language: All adult dependants must meet higher English language standards, which may affect family migration plans.
Background and Future Outlook
These changes come from the UK government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper, which called for a full review of the immigration system. The care sector has faced criticism for poor treatment of overseas workers, leading to the end of new care visas. The government wants to improve standards and encourage more local recruitment.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the new salary levels and occupation lists. Their findings could lead to more changes or adjustments in the future. Employers and workers should keep an eye on updates from the MAC and the Home Office.
More immigration reforms are expected later in 2025, which could affect other visa categories and routes. Staying informed and planning ahead is key for anyone affected by these changes.
Practical Steps and Resources
For Employers:
– Review your sponsorship license and recruitment plans.
– Make sure all job offers meet the new skill and salary requirements.
– Stop recruiting new overseas care workers by July 22, 2025.
– Support current care workers in the UK to extend visas or switch routes before 2028.
For Workers:
– If you are a care worker in the UK, check if you qualify to extend your visa or switch to another route before July 2028.
– If you are applying for a skilled worker visa, make sure your job offer meets the new skill and salary thresholds.
– Prepare for stricter English language requirements for yourself and your family.
Where to find more information:
– The UK Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration websites provide official guidance and updates.
– The Migration Advisory Committee will publish reviews and recommendations on salary levels and occupation lists.
– Legal and immigration advisory firms such as DavidsonMorris and Taylor Wessing offer support for employers and workers adjusting to the new rules.
For those applying for a Skilled Worker visa, you can find the latest application forms and guidance on the official UK government Skilled Worker visa page.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these reforms mark a significant tightening of UK immigration policy, especially for care visas and skilled foreign workers. The government aims to protect workers, raise standards, and make sure immigration supports the country’s economic needs. However, the changes also bring challenges for employers, workers, and families, who must act quickly to adapt.
Key Takeaways
- No more new care visas for overseas workers after July 22, 2025.
- Higher skill and salary thresholds for skilled worker visas, making it harder to qualify.
- Fewer jobs on the shortage occupation list, with no more discounts or family dependants allowed.
- Stricter English language requirements for workers and their families.
- Current care workers in the UK have until July 2028 to extend or switch visas.
- Employers and workers should review their plans and stay updated on further changes.
By understanding these changes and acting early, employers and skilled foreign workers can better prepare for the new UK immigration landscape. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check official government sources and seek professional advice if needed.
Learn Today
Care Visa → A visa allowing overseas care workers to legally work in the UK’s care sector under specific conditions.
Skilled Worker Visa → A permit for foreigners meeting skill, salary, and language thresholds to take skilled jobs in the UK.
RQF Level → Regulated Qualifications Framework level indicating the skill/education level required for job eligibility in the UK.
Shortage Occupation List → A list of jobs experiencing labor shortages in the UK, allowing easier visa access and discounts.
Certificate of Sponsorship → An official document employers assign to migrant workers to sponsor their UK work visa applications.
This Article in a Nutshell
UK immigration reforms in 2025 stop new overseas care worker visas and raise skilled worker visa requirements, including salary and English standards, reshaping employer recruitment and worker eligibility across key sectors.
— By VisaVerge.com
