Immigration Rules are Changing!

19 Jun

Skilled Worker route changes (effective 22 July 2025 unless otherwise stated)

New applicants must hold a job at RQF level 6 or above (typically bachelor’s degree level).
- This removes ~180 occupations from eligibility.
Transitional protection:
- Existing visa holders or those with a CoS issued before 22 July 2025 can continue under old rules (RQF3–5 roles), including renewals, changes, and supplementary jobs.

General salary (Option A): £41,700 (up from £38,700)
PhD relevant (Option B): £37,500 (up from £34,830)
PhD STEM / ISL / New Entrant (Options C–E): £33,400 (up from £30,960)
Experienced worker (Option F): £31,300
Reduced for pre-April 2024 workers (Option G): £28,200
Minimum hourly rate: £17.13/hr (up from £15.88)
No transitional protection: These salary increases apply immediately to new applicants. However, the MAC is now tasked to review salary thresholds and discounts.

The TSL allows sponsorship in lower-skilled (RQF3–5) occupations, but only via CoS issued before 31 December 2026, and does not allow dependants.
The ISL continues for certain RQF6+ roles but is scheduled to be phased out alongside or replaced by the TSL.
Dependants banned for those on TSL or ISL roles at RQF3–5 (unless covered by transitional exemption).

From 22 July 2025, no new entry-clearance applications for care workers (SOC 6135) or senior care workers (6136).
In-country switching remains allowed until 22 July 2028, provided the applicant has worked for at least 3 months with a sponsor.

Effective 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025, ARAP is closed to new principal Afghan applications.
- To be eligible, submissions to the MOD must have occurred on or before that cutoff time.
- However, family members of already submitted principal applicants may still apply after.

Kafeel Shafique

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