UK Immigration Update - July 2025

This Bulletin focuses on the Government’s latest Statement of Changes, published on 1 July 2025, providing additional detail for some of the changes foreshadowed by the Government’s White Paper dated 12 May 2025, with specific reference to changes to the Skills and Salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route.

Key points are:

• Unless covered by the Transitional Arrangements, or applications submitted under the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List, effective for new Skilled Worker Visa applications submitted on or after 22 July 2025, the minimum Skills threshold of RQF 6 will apply
• Transitional Arrangements for holders of Skilled Worker Visas issued under the RQF 3 thresholds will apply to renewal and change of employment applications as well as the provisions permitting supplementary employment. The Government has not as yet published an end date for these Transitional Arrangements but are likely to do so in the coming months
• Currently no Transitional Arrangements will apply to minimum salary thresholds, meaning that holders of Skilled Worker Visas applying under the RQF 3 Transitional Arrangements will be subject to the prevailing minimum salary thresholds
• The Immigration Salary and Temporary Shortage List occupations will continue to be monitored by the Migration Advisor Committee and will ultimately be entirely phased out. For new applications under these routes, workers will no longer be able to bring eligible dependents to the UK. Transitional arrangements apply to those currently holding Skilled Worker Visa under these categories and for those applying prior to 22 July 2025
• Eligible dependents will continue to be able to apply in parallel to any Skilled Worker Visa issued under the RQF 6 Skills threshold, and
• The latest Statement of Changes does not address the changes to eligibility for ILR from 5 to 10 years or timing of the 32% increase to the Immigration Skills Charge.

For further information and advice on all UK immigration issues, please contact Jonathan Chaimovic or your regular Team contact.