In a significant update to the UK Immigration system, the Home Office announced a raft of changes in two new statements of changes — HC 836 (June 24, 2025) and HC 997 (July 1, 2025). These updates concern the improvement and simplification of immigration pathways for skilled workers, employers, and residents migrating to the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Let us now highlight the issues you need to know.
More than 60 Job Roles Removed from the Skilled Worker Visa List
Effective from July 22, 2025
One of the major updates is that more than 60 job roles will be removed from the Skilled Worker visa eligibility section. This means that from July 22, 2025, new applicants for any of these roles will no longer be able to apply for the Skilled Worker route.
Important: Transitional arrangements only apply to those who hold permission under the Skilled Worker route prior to July 22.
Higher Salary Thresholds for Skilled Workers
From July 22, 2025
Additionally, the salary thresholds have also increased for Skilled Worker visa applications. Although starting from July 22nd, 2025, the salary thresholds will be as follows:
- Row A – From £38,700 → £41,700
- Row G – Is now £28,200
Additionally, the Home Office has added new occupation codes to Tables 1a, 2aa, and 3a.
Other rows will see similar increases.
Please check the full updated salary tables when applying.
New Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSOL)
Valid for CoS issued before December 31, 2026
The Home Office has created a Temporary Shortage Occupation List specifically for those occupations that require urgent workforce assistance in certain sectors. The occupations included on this list include:
- CAD technicians
- IT operations technicians
- Translators
- Welders
- Construction workers…among many others.
Note for Care Workers: From now on, only those with previous Skilled Worker permission or who are already employed by a sponsor can be sponsored.
EUSS Rule Relaxed – A Win for EU Nationals
Effective from July 16, 2025
For EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals, the Home Office has also relaxed the method for obtaining settled status:
- Those with pre-settled status can apply for settled status after 30 months’ residence in the UK, under the previous 5 years’ time whilst holding pre-settled status.
- This is a change from the previous appeal based on continuous residence and speculation, as it follows a court ruling from 2022.
Clearer Rules on Long Residence & Armed Forces Visas
Applicants for Long Residence visas now have clearer guidelines on lawful vs. unlawful stay, helping reduce confusion and errors.
Changes have also been made to simplify visa routes for foreign and Commonwealth Armed Forces personnel and their families.
List of Jobs Added to the Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSOL)
Some of the new TSOL roles are:
- Insurance underwriters
- Data analysts
- Marketing & advertisement professionals
- IT operations and support personnel
- Electricians, decorators, plumbers and welders
- Translators, photographers and designers
- Many more
Sponsoring of these roles has become simpler until December 31, 2026.
Occupations That Lost the Skilled Worker Eligibility
Almost 70 job positions will be ineligible as of July 22, 2025. These include:
- Project support officers
- Estate agents
- Merchandisers and buyers
- Chefs
- Hairdressers
- Early childhood personnel
- Trades in construction, such as carpenters and painters
- Retail and hospitality managers
To simplify the skilled migration focus and assist in the areas of high need, these positions are being phased out.
What You Can Do Next
- Employers: Take a look at your sponsorship pipeline and job offers as fast as possible.
- Applicants: You need to apply by July 22, 2025, in case of removal from your position.
- Current visa holders: You can continue to enjoy transitional arrangements.
- EUSS applicants: Take advantage of the new, more flexible rules.
Final Word
The UK is overhauling its Skilled Worker visa system to improve alignment with the labour market and make it easier to attract real skilled talent. On the one hand, some of those positions are becoming unavailable, but on the other hand, some new opportunities are available due to the Temporary Shortage List.
Be informed and be ready in advance- things are about to change.
