Skills and salary thresholds to rise from 22 July 2025

The qualification threshold for skilled workers, lowered to RQF level 3 in 2020, is being returned to RQF level 6. The explanatory memorandum states that this will mean a drop of around 180 eligible occupations, but the press release says it will be 111 fewer roles on the list in Appendix Skilled Occupations.

These changes will not affect people already in the routes in roles below RQF level 6, however the explanatory memorandum states that these “transitional arrangements will not be in place indefinitely and will be reviewed in due course”.

Routine salary increases are also being made to the skilled worker, Global Business Mobility and scale-up routes, in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data. There are no transitional arrangements relating to these increases and so those already in the route will also need to ensure that they are earning the correct amount when they next apply.