Major statement of changes to the Immigration Rules raises Skilled Worker thresholds and ends overseas recruitment of care workers

A major new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 997) has been published today, which begins the implementation of the 'sweeping reforms' to the immigration system announced in May in the Government's White Paper.

You can download the 138-page statement here. Accompanying the statement is a 12-page explanatory memorandum, which can be read online here or downloaded here. A ministerial statement summarising the changes can be read below.

Among the main changes, salary and skills thresholds for Skilled Worker visas will be increased from 22 July 2025. New applicants will now require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent RQF Level 6 qualification. According to the explanatory memorandum, this change will eliminate around 180 occupations from the list of eligible roles under the Skilled Worker route, though workers already in these occupations will continue to be able to be sponsored.

Skilled workers already in the UK will be exempt from the increased skill level requirement. The explanatory memorandum states: "For now, transitional arrangements in this Statement of Changes exempt workers who are already in the Skilled Worker route (or have been sponsored for an application which is later successful) when the changes come into effect from the increase to the skill threshold. As set out in the Immigration White Paper, this enables existing Skilled Worker visa holders to continue to renew their visas, change employment and take supplementary employment, in occupations below RQF level 6. These transitional arrangements will not be in place indefinitely and will be reviewed in due course."

The salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route are being increased as part of a routine salary update, in line with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. After only a minimal increase in April 2025 ahead of the White Paper, these changes complete the remaining uplift to both general salaries and occupation‑specific rates. The baseline minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £38,700 to £41,700. For those with a relevant PhD, the minimum salary increases from £34,830 to £37,500. While there are no transitional arrangements for the new salary thresholds, this reflects standard practice. A review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will follow, and any future transitional measures will be considered once this review is complete.

Overseas recruitment for social care worker roles will also end on 22 July 2025, following concerns over widespread abuse, exploitation, and non-compliance in the sector. While new overseas applications will no longer be accepted, transitional provisions will allow in-country switching for care workers already in the UK until 22 July 2028. To qualify, workers must have been legally employed by their sponsor for at least three months prior to their application. These safeguards aim to protect existing workers, support continuity of employment, and ensure compliance with basic employment standards.

A new temporary shortage occupation list is being introduced that will allow time-limited immigration access for sub-degree level roles, restricted to critical jobs that support the UK's industrial strategy or key infrastructure projects. Workers employed in occupations on the temporary shortage list will no longer be allowed to bring dependants to the UK. Additionally, salary threshold and visa fee discounts will be removed. The Government has also commissioned the MAC to review the temporary shortage list's scope, salaries, and associated benefits. Future access to the list beyond the end of 2026 will be conditional on the MAC's recommendations.

Ministers have warned that all sectors must develop clear plans to train and recruit UK workers or they risk being excluded from future immigration routes. The Government also signalled it will impose tighter restrictions if evidence emerges of ongoing exploitation or misuse within specific sectors.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government intends to deliver a "complete reset" of the immigration system. She stated: "These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK."

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is also closing to new principal applications, taking effect from 3pm today. The Government says that it now considers ARAP to have fulfilled its original purpose, with the Defence Secretary stating that closure will allow resources to be refocused on national security priorities. The closure represents the first formal step towards completing the UK’s Afghan resettlement commitments, with remaining relocations due to be completed by the end of this Parliament. Since its launch over four years ago, the scheme has supported the relocation of more than 21,000 Afghan principals and their family members to the UK.

In addition, some minor drafting changes are being made by the statement of changes to correct incorrect paragraph references and other errors.

Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, provided the following summary of the changes in a written statement to the House of Commons: