Immigration Rules: Statement of Changes – July 2025

On 1 July 2025, the UK government published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, amending provisions that regulate entry to and stay in the UK. Key changes in the Statement of Changes include updates to the Skilled Worker visa and salary requirements, the end of Social Care visas and the introduction of new Temporary Shortage List (“<span class="news-text_medium">TSL</span>”). The amendments come in response to evolving political and economic circumstances, including the need to ensure the UK’s immigration system is adaptable and secure.

Overview of the Changes:

The changes introduced by this Statement impact multiple aspects of the immigration system. One of the most significant adjustments is to the Skilled Worker route, which now raises the skill threshold back to RQF level 6 (previously lowered to RQF level 3). This increase will affect around 180 occupations, limiting eligibility for future applicants, although those already on the Skilled Worker route will not be immediately impacted.

Key Changes Explained:

1. <span class="news-text_medium">Skilled Worker Route Adjustments:</span>
   As detailed in the Immigration White Paper, the skill threshold for the Skilled Worker visa is increased from RQF level 3 to RQF level 6. This change reduces the number of eligible occupations and aims to address concerns around the exploitation of overseas workers. Additionally, salary requirements across various routes, including the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes, are updated annually to reflect current pay data from the Office for National Statistics.
2. <span class="news-text_medium">Temporary Shortage List:</span>
   The Immigration Salary List is being replaced with an interim Temporary Shortage List, which will include occupations below RQF level 6 that are in demand. Workers in these roles will be eligible for the Skilled Worker route only if the occupation is listed. However, these workers will not be able to bring dependants, unlike those in higher-skilled roles.
3. <span class="news-text_medium">Closure of the ARAP Scheme:</span>
   The ARAP scheme is now closed to new principal applications, marking the conclusion of the UK’s resettlement efforts for Afghan citizens who assisted UK operations. The decision was made in light of the successful relocation of over 21,000 individuals and the decreasing number of eligible applicants. The scheme will still process family member applications for those who applied before the closure date.
4. <span class="news-text_medium">Changes to Adult Social Care:</span>
   The Immigration Rules now include restrictions on care workers, closing the entry clearance applications for Skilled Workers in care-related roles. This change is intended to prevent abuse and exploitation in the sector, with provisions for existing workers to continue their employment in a transitional period until 22 July 2028.
5. <span class="news-text_medium">Other Changes and Updates:</span>
   <span class="news-text_medium">Neonatal Care Leave:</span> The introduction of statutory neonatal care leave in April 2025 is now reflected in the Immigration Rules as a permissible reason for absences from sponsored work. <span class="news-text_medium">Alignment of Drafting:</span> Minor changes have been made to align the Immigration Rules for clarity and consistency, with no major policy shifts. <span class="news-text_medium">Review of Salary and Skill Requirements:</span> The Migration Advisory Committee (“<span class="news-text_medium">MAC</span>”) will undertake a review of salary requirements in the coming months, which could lead to further adjustments.

Legislative and Legal Context:

These changes will be implemented on 22 July 2025 and will be incorporated into the consolidated version of the Immigration Rules, which can be accessed on the GOV.UK website. The government has committed to regularly reviewing and updating the Rules to ensure they remain aligned with the UK’s immigration goals.

In conclusion, the July 2025 Statement of Changes reflects ongoing efforts to adapt the UK’s immigration system to current economic and political realities, while addressing concerns related to labour market dynamics and the protection of vulnerable workers. These amendments will help streamline immigration processes, support the domestic workforce and conclude the UK’s Afghan resettlement efforts.