The UK government has announced significant changes to its immigration rules through Statement of Changes HC 997, effective July 1, 2025. These sweeping reforms affect skilled worker routes, care worker visas, and Afghan resettlement schemes, marking one of the most comprehensive overhauls of UK immigration policy in recent years.
Key Changes at a Glance
The new rules implement changes outlined in the government’s Immigration White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System” and introduce immediate closures to certain schemes. Here’s what’s changing:
1. Skilled Worker Route Overhaul
Raised Skill Threshold The government has increased the minimum skill level for Skilled Worker visas from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 back to RQF level 6. This change effectively removes around 180 eligible occupations from the skilled worker route, reversing the 2020 relaxation that was introduced to help businesses adapt to post-Brexit migration patterns.
Who’s Affected:
- New applicants in occupations below RQF level 6 will no longer be eligible unless the occupation appears on specific shortage lists
- Existing skilled workers can continue to renew their visas and change employment under transitional arrangements
- The change aims to address concerns about visa number growth and worker exploitation in lower-skilled occupations
Updated Salary Requirements Routine salary threshold updates have been implemented across Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up routes, based on the latest 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data. Unlike the skill threshold changes, there are no transitional arrangements for salary updates.
2. New Shortage Lists Replace Old System
Immigration Salary List Expansion The existing Immigration Salary List has been expanded to include RQF level 3-5 occupations identified as shortage areas in recent Migration Advisory Committee reviews.
Interim Temporary Shortage List A new interim list has been created featuring occupations deemed important for the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy by the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury.
Key Restrictions:
- Both lists will be phased out by the end of 2026 (except adult social care)
- Workers in RQF level 3-5 occupations on these lists cannot bring dependants
- Existing skilled workers already able to bring dependants are protected under transitional arrangements
3. Adult Social Care Sector Changes
Closure of Care Worker Routes The government has closed entry clearance applications for new care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136), citing concerns about worker exploitation and compliance issues.
Transition Period
- In-country applications from people switching visa routes will continue until July 22, 2028
- Applicants must have worked legally for their sponsoring employer for at least 3 months
- The requirement for sponsors to recruit from existing skilled worker pools has been removed
Safeguarding Measures To prevent circumvention, the occupation code for “Nursing auxiliaries and assistants” has been clarified to only apply to roles where registered nurses also work.
4. Afghan Resettlement Scheme Closures
ARAP Closure The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) closed to new principal applications at 3:00 PM BST on July 1, 2025. This immediate closure affects Afghan citizens who worked with the UK government in Afghanistan.
Impact:
- Over 21,000 people have already been relocated under ARAP since 2021
- The MOD currently has a backlog of approximately 22,000 applications
- 95% of applications received to date have been found ineligible
- Applications submitted before the closure deadline will still be processed
ACRS Also Closing The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is also closing, with no new pathways or referrals being accepted. Over 12,800 people have been resettled under this scheme since 2021.
What This Means for Different Groups
For Employers:
- Businesses sponsoring workers in occupations below RQF level 6 will need to adapt their recruitment strategies
- Care providers face significant restrictions on recruiting overseas workers
- Salary requirements continue to increase in line with UK wage growth
For Current Visa Holders:
- Existing skilled workers benefit from transitional arrangements protecting their current rights
- Care workers already in the UK can continue working under specific conditions
- No one currently in the system loses their existing entitlements immediately
For Prospective Applicants:
- Many occupations are no longer eligible for skilled worker visas
- Afghan nationals can no longer apply for ARAP
- Higher skill and salary requirements apply to new applications
Implementation Timeline
- July 1, 2025: ARAP closure (immediate effect)
- July 22, 2025: Skilled worker route changes come into effect
- July 22, 2028: Final closure of care worker in-country applications
- End of 2026: Shortage lists to be phased out
Government’s Rationale
The government justifies these changes by citing:
- Concerns about exploitation of overseas workers in lower-skilled roles
- Need to focus on “higher-skilled” migration
- Desire to reduce overall visa numbers
- Completion of Afghan resettlement obligations
- Reallocation of defence resources to national security priorities
Looking Ahead
The Migration Advisory Committee will conduct a thorough review of salary requirements, which may lead to further changes. The government has committed to monitoring compliance issues and may adjust timelines if problems emerge.
These changes represent a significant shift toward a more restrictive immigration system, prioritizing higher-skilled workers while addressing specific concerns about worker exploitation and system abuse. The immediate implementation of some changes, particularly the ARAP closure, demonstrates the government’s commitment to swift policy implementation.
For those affected by these changes, staying informed about transitional arrangements and seeking professional immigration advice will be crucial in navigating this new landscape.
