More than 100 skilled occupations to be removed from 22 July 2025, in sweeping changes to the Immigration Rules

The Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules has now been published, and it sets out details of a number of the significant changes which were outlined previously in the Immigration White Paper.

As has been the case in recent years, the Skilled Worker route bears the brunt of government changes, which will be coming into effect on 22 July 2025. It is vital that sponsoring employers and those wishing to apply under the Skilled Worker route are aware of the effect of these changes and how this will impact them. 

Here, we look at the significant changes to the skill level for those applying under the Skilled Worker route and what this means for the list of eligible occupation codes.  

Increase of the skills threshold from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6

As discussed in Part 1 of our UK Immigration White Paper series,  one of the major changes involves raising the job skill level requirement for the Skilled Worker route from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level) for new applicants. 

The effect of this is that, from 22 July 2025, over 100 occupation codes will no longer be eligible codes for individuals making their first Skilled Worker application. 

The statement of changes provides a list of the affected occupation codes in a number of tables, which can be very difficult to navigate. 

• New Skilled Worker applicants:

Going forward, new applicants applying for the first time under the Skilled Worker route will only be eligible for sponsorship if their role falls under an occupation listed in the following tables:

• Table 1 – Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 6 or above
• Table 3 – Eligible health and education SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 6 or above

Example 1:

A Software developer looking to apply under occupation code 2134 ‘Programmers and software development professionals’, for their first Skilled Worker visa, will need to turn to Table 1 to check the code is listed here (which it is) and to check the relevant going rate.

• Existing Skilled Worker visa holders 

Thankfully, there are transitional arrangements in place for those who already hold a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, and have continued to hold this permission. 

Different tables (of which there are now many) will apply to applicants depending on their circumstances, as follows:

• Table 1a – Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 3-5 for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place between 4 April 2024 and 22 July 2025
• Table 2 – Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 6 or above for applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024
• Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 3-5 for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024 – this table accompanies Table 2, but refers to a different skill level
• Table 2a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes below RQF level 3 for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, but only where the applicant is continuing to work for the same sponsor
• Table 3a: Additional health and education SOC 2020 occupation codes at RQF level 3-5 for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

Example 1:

A Chef who is currently sponsored as a Skilled Worker is looking to extend their visa. They were granted permission as a Skilled Worker on 15 December 2024, under occupation code 5434 ‘Chefs’. Although code 5434 has been removed from the list of eligible codes for new applicants, this individual is permitted to extend their visa under the code, as they already hold a Skilled Worker visa granted under the rules in place prior to 22 July 2025. The individual will need to turn to Table 1a to check the code is listed here, and to check the relevant going rate.

Example 2:

A Golf course manager who is currently sponsored as a Skilled Worker is looking to extend their visa. They were granted permission as a Skilled Worker on 8 March 2024, under occupation code 1224 ‘Leisure and sports managers and proprietors’. Again, although code 1224 has been removed from the list of eligible codes for new applicants, this individual is permitted to extend his visa under this code. As their visa was granted before 4 April 2024, they will be relying on the lower going rates which were previously in place, and so for this visa extension, they will be looking at Table 2aa for the relevant going rate. 

The new Temporary Shortage List 

The statement of changes also contains the new Temporary Shortage List, which is a list of occupation codes at RQF levels 3-5 and so would usually have fallen outside of the eligible codes from 22 July 2025 onwards. 

However, as noted in the Explanatory memorandum, these occupations have been identified by the Department for Business and Trade and His Majesty’s Treasury as being important for the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. 

New applicants to the Skilled Worker route will therefore also be able to rely on occupation codes listed in the Temporary Shortage List. 

However, it should be noted that this list is time-limited and the codes are currently due to be removed at the end of 2026. The explanatory memorandum also flags that “the Government reserves the right to bring that date forward if compliance issues present on these lists. The future contents (and visa terms and conditions) of the Temporary Shortage List will be subject to review by the MAC.” Therefore, caution must be taken when seeking to rely on an occupation code in this list. 

There will also be additional rules in place for those relying on the Temporary Shortage List, including the requirement for a workforce strategy to be in place and employers needing to show that they are ‘committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce’. 

The deadline and practical steps for employers 

Whilst these changes are due to take effect from Tuesday 22 July 2025, it is important to note that if an application is submitted after 22 July 2025, using a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned to the applicant before 22 July 2025, the application will be considered in line with the Immigration Rules in place on 21 July 2025 before the changes. 

If sponsoring organisations are planning to recruit a migrant worker, we would recommend that their circumstances are reviewed as soon as possible, to assess whether a CoS needs to be assigned to the applicant before 22 July 2025 in order to benefit from the Immigration Rules currently in place.

Going forward, sponsors will need to be fully aware of the complex transitional arrangements in place, to ensure that the Immigration Rules and salary requirements are met for any existing employees who are extending their Skilled Worker visa.  

For assistance with Skilled Worker applications, or any other personal or business immigration matters, please contact a member of the team.