{"id":3150,"date":"2025-07-02T19:35:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T19:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/?p=3150"},"modified":"2026-10-29T09:38:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T09:38:23","slug":"skilled-worker-visa-changes-22-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/blog-en\/skilled-worker-visa-changes-22-july-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Skilled Worker Visa Changes Coming into Force on 22 July 2025: Fewer Eligible Occupations, Restrictions on Family Migration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In our previous blog post, we shared with you the significant changes anticipated for the Skilled Worker visa as of 2025. Most of these provisions will officially come into force as of 22 July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/blog-en\/uk-skilled-worker-visa-2025-key-policy-proposals-and-what-may-change\/\">https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/blog-en\/uk-skilled-worker-visa-2025-key-policy-proposals-and-what-may-change\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-997-1-july-2025\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Statement of Changes (HC 997)<\/a> published by the UK Home Office on 1 July 2025 has brought a fundamental transformation to the Skilled Worker visa. These provisions, which will come into force as of 22 July 2025, significantly narrow the scope of the system and have serious consequences for many applicants and employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new system is not only a set of technical updates; it also changes the spirit of the Skilled Worker visa:<br\/>Fewer occupations are now eligible, higher salaries are required and family reunion has become more limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chef Occupation Code Removed: Many Occupations Are Now Outside the System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the new provisions, approximately <strong>180 occupation codes<\/strong> have been removed from the Skilled Worker system. Most of these codes cover common, sector-specific managerial positions that have been eligible for sponsorship for many years. Applications can now only be made for occupations listed in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some notable occupations that are now outside the system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>5434 \u2013 Chef<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1221 \u2013 Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1222 \u2013 Restaurant and catering establishment managers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1251 \u2013 Property, housing and estate managers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1253 \u2013 Hairdressing and beauty salon managers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1211 \u2013 Agriculture and horticulture managers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1150 \u2013 Retail and wholesale directors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As these occupations are no longer listed in any table under the Skilled Worker route, it is not possible for them to be sponsored in new applications. Even where they appear in a table, they have technically been removed from the system with a \u201cNot applicable\u201d note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means a very serious contraction, particularly for sectors such as hotels, restaurants, hairdressing, property, agriculture and retail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcb7 Salary Threshold: \u00a341,700 and Above<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Salary criteria have also been raised in the new system. In a Skilled Worker application, the following now apply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minimum salary threshold<\/strong>: \u00a341,700 \/ year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hourly equivalent<\/strong>: \u00a320.64<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New entrant (entry level)<\/strong> salary: \u00a333,400<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Going below this is only possible in special cases where 70% of the occupation\u2019s \u201cgoing rate\u201d is permitted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These increases were made with the aim of striking a balance with the employment market within the UK and limiting the migrant workforce to skilled areas only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\uddd2\ud83d\udc6b<strong> <\/strong>Family Reunion Rights Are Limited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the new rules, it is only possible for people coming on a Skilled Worker visa <strong>to bring their spouse and children<\/strong> in the following cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the job code applied for is listed in Table 1, 2 or 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or if the person obtained their visa before 22 July 2025 and maintains their status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This right is not granted for jobs under the <strong>Temporary Shortage List (TSL)<\/strong>. For example, family visas are not granted for some technical positions or care workers that are still temporarily eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\uddd3\ud83c\udffc<strong> <\/strong>Care Sector: In a Temporary Transition Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A temporary transition period has been granted for the care sector (6135 Care Worker, 6136 Senior Care Worker). However:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The person must have been working lawfully for their sponsor for at least 3 months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only <strong>in-country switching<\/strong> applications are permitted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The arrangement will continue until 22 July 2028<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccb<strong> <\/strong>What Should Be Done Under These Conditions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Individuals who will apply:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705 Should check whether their occupation code is still in the system<br\/>\u2705 Should assess whether the salary offer meets the new threshold<br\/>\u2705 Should find out in advance whether they have the right to bring family members<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Employers who will act as sponsors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705 Should compare the SOC codes they use with the new tables<br\/>\u2705 Should revise their salary policies and job descriptions in line with the new system<br\/>\u2705 Should review switching and extension options for existing employees<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd1a<strong> <\/strong>Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the changes coming into force on 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker visa has taken on a much more selective and restrictive structure within the UK immigration system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Approximately 180 occupation codes have been removed from the system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Popular roles such as Chef, which were open to sponsorship for many years, are no longer eligible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family reunion rights have been limited to certain codes only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salary thresholds have been raised significantly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These changes directly affect not only individual applicants but also many sectors, such as restaurants, hotels, agencies, and education and healthcare institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the coming period, anyone who wishes to make a Skilled Worker application needs to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705 Check whether their occupation code is eligible<br\/>\u2705 Assess whether they meet the new salary threshold<br\/>\u2705 Consider whether they have the right to bring their spouse and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you would like to plan your application together in line with the new rules, you can contact us.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Statement of Changes (HC 997) published by the UK Home Office on 1 July 2025 has brought a fundamental transformation to the Skilled Worker visa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3150"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3150\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3171,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3150\/revisions\/3171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visavisuk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}