Following a recent statement of changes with updates to the Skilled Worker visa route, we are continuing to work on this and to establish who will be affected.

The 'headlines' are as follows, and relate only to Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned on/after 22 July:

• New Skilled Worker applicants (ie those who are coming to the UK from overseas, and those switching in the UK from a different type of visa) will need to be appointed to a role at RQF level 6 or above - this includes research and teaching roles, and some higher level professional services roles. Roles with a lower skill level (RQF 3-5) will remain sponsorable only for existing Skilled Worker visa holders whose CoS was assigned to them before 22 July 2025. These include technicians, some IT roles and administrative roles.

• The Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) will be phased out - roles are currently due for removal from the List on 31 December 2026. We understand that the roles will still be able to be sponsored, but will no longer benefit from the reduction in visa cost.

• Some RQF 3-5 roles have been added to a new Temporary Shortage List. The List will be kept under review, with the first review currently scheduled for the end of 2026. It is unclear whether these roles will be sponsorable beyond then.

• Workers whose CoS is assigned to them on or after 22 July 2025 and where the role is (a) in an RQF 3-5 role and (b) on either the Immigration Salary List or the Shortage Occupation List will be unable to bring dependants. To be clear, this is not applicable to any Skilled Worker visa holder whose CoS is/was issued to them before 22 July 2025.

• Minimum salary thresholds have mostly increased, as has the 'going rate' for some roles inline with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, published by the Office for National Statistics.

If you have any concerns, please contact the HR Compliance Team for advice.