The government’s white paper immigration changes
Stephanie Pote · Posted on: August 6th 2025 · read
As part of the Government’s white paper on Immigration published on 12 May 2025, the first Statement of Changes was laid before Parliament with the following changes effective from 22 July 2025:
Skilled worker visa:
The skill threshold has risen from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 (graduate-level roles) in line with the requirement for Global Business Mobility visas, removing over 100 occupations from eligibility for sponsorship.
Transitional arrangements allow current visa holders to continue in sub-RQF Level 6 roles if they were in the UK prior to 22 July. These arrangements are, however, subject to review.
Temporary shortage list:
A new Temporary Shortage List has been introduced which permits workers time-limited access (up to 31 December 2026) to roles below RQF Level 6. Workers employed in roles on the Temporary Shortage list will not have the right to bring their dependants to live with them in the UK. The Immigration Salary List (which sets out roles to which a lower salary threshold applies) remains in place for roles identified by the Migratory Advisory Committee as being in genuine national shortage. This list is also set to expire on 31 December 2026.
Salary requirements:
The Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility salary thresholds have been increased in line with the Office for National Statistics data.
This means that the baseline minimum salary for a Skilled Worker has increased from £38,700 to £41,700, and the baseline minimum salary for a Global Business Mobility Worker has increased from £48,500 to £52,500.
The going rate for the role will apply if this is higher.
Transitional arrangements allow workers who were in the UK on their current visa prior to 22 July to be exempt from the increased salary thresholds for the duration of their current visa; however, workers seeking to extend their visas or change employers will be required to meet the new salary levels at that time.
The remaining proposals set out in the White Paper include:
- increasing the English language requirement from B1 to B2 for main visa applicants, and introducing a new A1 requirement for dependants, with a need for improvement over a period of time to A2;
- increasing the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%;
- reducing the length of permission under a graduate visa from two years to 18 months;
- doubling the standard qualifying period for settlement from the Points-Based System to ten years; however, there will be some ability to reduce this by earning more points via contribution to the UK;
- applying the requirements of the Points-Based System so that they apply to settlement and citizenship rules, again aligning eligibility with contribution to the UK; and
- introducing a New Life in the UK Test for settlement.
HR Solutions are IAA (Immigration Advice Authority) registered Level 1 Immigration advisors and can support you in applying for a Sponsor Licence in order to employ migrant workers in the UK via the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes (Senior or Specialist Worker, and UK Expansion Worker). We can also act as your representative in dealings with the Home Office and manage the day to day operation of the Sponsorship Management System.
