On 22 July 2025 the Skilled Worker visa rules changed, resulting in a higher job skill level and higher salary thresholds.
Importantly, these changes do not affect existing Skilled Worker visa holders for the duration of their current visa. However, any sponsorship extensions, changes of employment and switch requests will be assessed in line with the new rules.
A summary of the changes are:
- The skill level for eligible jobs increased to Level 6 (Degree level). Typically, this means University jobs at Grade 4 and above.
- In limited circumstances, the University may be able to sponsor jobs at Level 3-5 on the RQF, which is typically University jobs at Grade 3. These situations are:
- For Skilled Worker visa holders who have permission using a Certificate of Sponsorship which was assigned before 22 July 2025. This is a transitional measure and the Home Office confirm this will not be in place indefinitely.
- Jobs/Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes on the ‘Immigration Salary List’ or the ‘Temporary Shortage List’. Sponsors have until 31 December 2026 to sponsor jobs on these lists, and the UK Government reserve the right to bring this date forward.
- Salary thresholds have increased in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. The General thresholds have changed follows.
| Skilled Worker visa holders | Salary Option | Previous General Salary Threshold | New General Salary Threshold |
| New to Skilled Worker from 4 April 2024 | Option A – Salary only | ?38,700 | ?41,700 |
| Option B – Relevant PhD | ?34,830 | ?37,500 | |
| Option C – STEM PhD | ?30,960 | ?33,400 | |
| Option D – Immigration Salary List | ?30,960 | ?33,400 | |
| Option E – New Entrant | ?30,960 | ?33,400 | |
| Pre-existing Skilled Worker visa holders before 4 April 2024 | Option F – Salary only | ?29,000 | ?31,300 |
| Option G – Relevant PhD | ?26,100 | ?28,200 | |
| Option H – STEM PhD | ?25,000 | No Change | |
| Option I – Immigration Salary List | ?25,000 | No Change | |
| Option J – New Entrant | ?25,000 | No Change |
- Supplementary work is restricted to SOC codes at RQF 6. Skilled Worker visa holders with continuous permission since before 22 July 2025 can continue to undertake supplementary work in SOC codes at RQF Level 3-5.
As a reminder, the University will not increase salary or change the SOC code for the purposes of meeting the relevant salary threshold. This would be discriminatory against other employees.
The immigration rules are subject to change, sometimes often and with little warning. As a result, future sponsorship can never be guaranteed. Sponsorship requests are reviewed on a case by case basis, no more than three months in advance, and in line with the rules in place at that time.
The new rules are very complex and a number of factors must be considered. Please review the following SharePoint sites linked below, and reach out to the HR Staff Visa team (via Ask HR) if you have any questions on these changes.
All sponsorship requests for existing employees must be submitted using the following HR Request:
Extend or switch to Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa
Further information:
- Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK
- Skilled Worker Route
- Skilled Worker – Guidance for Managers
- Skilled Worker – Guidance for Employees