Major Changes to the Immigration Rules from 22 July 2025

As of 22 July 2025, significant changes have been made to the Immigration Rules, particularly in relation to work routes. These updates will have a major impact on both sponsor licence holders and individuals holding Skilled Worker visas.

The Home Office has made it clear that its goal is to focus the Skilled Worker route on highly skilled occupations, specifically those at RFQ Level 6 or above. This marks a shift away from lower-skilled roles, which have been subject to misuse under the previous system.

Moving forward, only occupations classified at RQF Level 6 or higher will generally be eligible for sponsorship. However, there are limited exceptions, which we’ll cover in this guide.

Key Exceptions to the New Rules

Despite the stricter criteria, some roles below RFQ Level 6 will still be eligible for sponsorship under specific circumstances:

• Roles listed on the Immigration Salary List (ISL)
• Occupations on the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
• Skilled Workers who were already in the UK before 22 July 2025

The changes rely heavily on the updated tables in Appendix Skilled Occupations. These tables are essential but can be difficult to interpret. Below is a breakdown to help you identify which table applies to your candidate.

Table 1

This table contains all of the occupations that will be eligible for sponsorship after the 22nd July 2025.

All occupations listed on this table are considered to be at a skill level of RQF Level 6 or above.

You may be referred to this table if your candidate fits into Tradeable Points Options A-E found in the Skilled Worker caseworker guidance. 

Table 1a

This table contains roles which are at RQF Level 3-5, in addition to care workers (RQF Level 2).

This table only applies to Skilled Workers who were already in the UK before 22nd July 2025, except in relation to Option D or occupations on the TSL.

Table 2a

Contains roles that used to be considered Level 3-5, but are now considered below Level 3.

This table is mainly limited to extension applications with the same sponsor. The applicant must have been in the UK as a Skilled Worker before 4 April 2024 and the application must be made prior to 4 April 2030.

These roles are only valid for Skilled Worker route, not eligible for Global Business Mobility or Scale-up.

Table 2b

Occupation codes in this table were previously considered RQF Level 6, but have been re-evaluated and considered to be below this.

This table is only available under Global Mobility routes. Applicants must have been in the UK under this route continuously since 4 April 2024, and apply before 4 April 2030.

Table 3

Health and education roles where salaries are based upon national pay scales. Some roles have been removed from the list of eligible occupations in this table for new candidates.

Eligible for Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Scale-up, except for roles below Agenda for Change Band 5, which are ineligible for the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes.

Table 3a

Similar to Table 3, but used for people already in the UK so will include the codes now excluded from Table 3.

RQF Level 3-5. Only eligible for Skilled Worker, not Global Business Mobility or Scale-up. 

Table 4

Healthcare codes by administration or band.

Band 1 and 2 jobs are not eligible for sponsorship at all.

Band 1-4 roles are not eligible for sponsorship under GBM or Scale Up routes.

Unless Option D or the TSL applies, this will only be relevant to Skilled Workers here prior to 22nd July 2025. 

Table 5

Education roles by administration or role.

Table 6

Roles which are not eligible for sponsorship under Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes. 

Roles in Table 1a, 2aa, 2a, 2b and 3a are also not eligible for these routes except for in the exceptions outlined above them.

Immigration Salary List (ISL)

The Immigration Salary list will continue to exist after 22nd July 2025 with the existing roles, however occupations at RQF Level 3-5 which have been identified by the MAC as being shortage occupations will also be on there.

You will need to check the ISL to see if the role you are looking to sponsor is listed. The tables relevant to the ISL are likely to be 1a and 2aa, depending on the circumstances of your candidate.

Temporary Shortage List (TSL)

This is a new introduction to the Immigration Rules as on 22nd July 2025.

This list contains occupations at RFQ Levels 3-5 which the Department for Business and Trade and His Majesty’s Treasury have identified as being important for the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

Both of the above lists are considered to be temporary measures and the roles on them will be automatically removed as of 31/12/2026, unless extended.

Useful Links:

• Immigration Rules – Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations – Guidance – GOV.UK
• Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list – GOV.UK
• Skilled Worker visa: temporary shortage list – GOV.UK