The UK Immigration Rule changes for 2025 now reshape how employers hire overseas workers, and therefore applicants plan long-term residence.
Moreover, the Home Office raises salary and skill thresholds, tightens sponsor-licence compliance, and proposes new settlement requirements. Consequently, businesses and migrants must understand these updates to stay compliant and secure future opportunities.
Since 22 July 2025, the Home Office raised the general Skilled Worker salary threshold to £41,700, therefore employers must review pay scales immediately.
Each occupation includes a specific “going rate,” which may exceed the general floor, so businesses need to check both figures carefully.
Employers calculate salaries using a 37.5-hour work week and must pro-rate part-time contracts accurately, consequently ensuring full compliance.
Dawn Solicitors guides sponsors to map every role to the correct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and maintains payroll records that meet Home Office audit standards, thus protecting sponsor licences.
Sponsored jobs now must meet RQF Level 6, which equals a UK bachelor’s degree, therefore employers face stricter criteria.
Moreover, the Home Office removed more than 100 medium-skill roles from the eligible list unless they appear on the Temporary Shortage List. Consequently, businesses must review job descriptions, qualifications, and recruitment plans to ensure each position satisfies the new requirement.
Meanwhile, our immigration team delivers role-by-role assessments and advises on alternative visa options when sponsorship is no longer available.
The Temporary Shortage List keeps certain RQF 3–5 roles sponsor-eligible until 31 December 2026, and therefore employers must stay alert. However, the Migration Advisory Committee will review the list in January and again in July 2026, so roles may be removed or added. Consequently, employers must track these reviews to prevent last-minute hiring gaps. Meanwhile, Dawn Solicitors provides scheduled compliance updates so clients can quickly adjust workforce strategies before any changes take effect.
