UK Job Sponsorship 2025: New Salary & Skills Rules Explained (with Employer & Applicant Checklists)

UK Job Sponsorship 2025: New Salary & Skills Rules Explained (with Employer & Applicant Checklists): What Workers & Employers Need to Know; The UK raised Skilled Worker salary thresholds and skill levels in July 2025 and updated the Immigration Salary List. Learn what changed, who’s affected, and how to secure visa sponsorship under the new rules.

Table of Contents

UK Job Sponsorship Key Takeaways (Updated August 15, 2025)

General Skilled Worker salary threshold increases to £41,700 from July 22, 2025, for post-April-2024 sponsorships. NHS Employers
Skill level rises to RQF 6 (degree-level roles) for new Skilled Worker applicants, removing ~100–180 occupations from eligibility. Richmond Chambers
Going-rate tables & Immigration Salary List (ISL) updated July 22, 2025—you must now meet both the route threshold and the role’s going rate. GOV.UK+2GOV.UK+2
Family visa plan to raise income to £38,700 in early 2025 was not implemented after the change of government; a review replaced it. GOV.UK

What Exactly Changed in July 2025?

1) Salary Thresholds

General threshold: £41,700 (previously £38,700). Applies to Skilled Worker roles sponsored after April 4, 2024; came into effect July 22, 2025. NHS Employers TLT
Going rate: Each occupation has a role-specific annual “going rate” based on a 37.5-hour week. Your offer must meet the higher of the general threshold or the going rate (unless a permitted discount applies). GOV.UK

2) Skill Level

Minimum skill level raised from RQF 3 to RQF 6, shifting eligibility toward degree-level roles and cutting many mid-skill jobs (hospitality, logistics, construction, several care roles) from the route. Effective July 22, 2025. Faegre Drinker

3) Occupation Lists

The old Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024 and has been updated again on July 22, 2025. Jobs on the ISL can qualify at 80% of the usual minimum rate for Skilled Worker/H&CW routes (subject to specific rules). GOV.UK+1

Who Is Affected?

Applicants

Prospective Skilled Workers must check both the new RQF 6 requirement and revised salary levels for their SOC code. GOV.UK
Care & other mid-skill roles: Many are no longer eligible under Skilled Worker following the RQF jump. Review alternative routes (e.g., Health & Care Worker, where applicable). Richmond Chambers

Employers (Sponsors)

Offer design & budgeting: Re-cost roles to £41,700+ or the going rate, whichever is higher. Update CoS templates and HR systems accordingly. NHS Employers
Role mapping: Re-map job descriptions to eligible RQF 6 SOC codes; audit any roles that previously qualified at RQF 3–5. Faegre Drinker
ISL checks: See if your occupation appears on the ISL for permitted salary discounts and regional nuances. GOV.UK

Step-by-Step: How to Secure UK Sponsorship in 2025

For Applicants

Find an approved sponsor (licensed employer) and a genuine vacancy at RQF 6. GOV.UK
Confirm SOC code & going rate using the official tables; validate hours are 37.5/wk or pro-rated. GOV.UK
Check salary vs. threshold (≥ £41,700 or going rate; ISL discount if applicable). GOV.UK
Request your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and apply with supporting docs.

For Employers

Role analysis: Ensure the duties align with an RQF 6 SOC. Faegre Drinker
Set salary correctly: Budget to the higher of threshold/going rate; avoid under-provisioning. GOV.UK
Issue CoS & maintain compliance (record-keeping, reporting, right-to-work checks).
Re-audit your sponsor licence for internal HR processes post-change.

Sectors Most Impacted

Hospitality, logistics, construction, and parts of social care: many previously eligible mid-skill roles now fall below RQF 6. Employers should explore training/upskilling, ISL options, or different visa categories (e.g., Global Talent, Scale-up for qualifying firms). Faegre Drinker

Examples: New Minimums by Role (Illustrative)

Software developers (SOC 2136)—typically already RQF 6: confirm updated going rate and ensure ≥ £41,700. GOV.UK
Restaurant managers/supervisors—often below RQF 6: many roles will no longer qualify under Skilled Worker after July 22, 2025. Faegre Drinker

Always verify the current going rates and ISL entries before offering or accepting a role; the gov.uk pages are updated frequently. GOV.UK+1

What Did Not Change (Despite Headlines)

Family/partner visa minimum income did not rise to £38,700 in early 2025; that plan was dropped and replaced with a review following the change of government. Don’t rely on outdated advice circulating online. GOV.UK House of Commons Library

Practical Tips to Improve Your Chances (Low-Risk, High-Impact)

Target sponsors actively hiring at RQF 6 (universities, tech, engineering, finance, NHS trusts for eligible roles).
Salary negotiations: Ask HR to show going-rate alignment and contract hours; a 40-hour contract at the right rate can fail if pro-rata math is wrong. GOV.UK
Use the ISL strategically where your occupation qualifies—document your eligibility in the application pack. GOV.UK
Stay on official sources (gov.uk) for rule updates; avoid third-party “lists” that aren’t refreshed. GOV.UK

FAQs

Q1: What is the new Skilled Worker minimum salary in 2025?
A: For post-April-2024 sponsorships, it’s £41,700 from July 22, 2025, or the role’s going rate if higher. NHS Employers TLT

Q2: Does every job now need a degree?
A: The job’s skill level must map to RQF 6, which corresponds to degree-level roles; your degree isn’t the test, but non-RQF-6 jobs won’t qualify. Faegre Drinker

Q3: Can ISL roles pay less than the threshold?
A: ISL roles may qualify at 80% of the usual minimum, subject to route rules and caps—check the official ISL entry for your SOC. GOV.UK

Q4: Where do I find the official going rate for my job?
A: On the gov.uk Skilled Worker going-rates page (updated July 22, 2025). GOV.UK

Q5: Did the partner visa minimum income rise again in 2025?
A: No. The planned rises to £34,500 and then £38,700 were not implemented; a government review replaced them. GOV.UK

Final Word

The UK’s 2025 reset shifts Skilled Worker sponsorship firmly toward higher-skilled, higher-paid roles. Success now depends on accurate SOC mapping, meeting the updated salary math, and using the ISL where available. Applicants should focus on RQF-6 roles and verified sponsors; employers should update job architectures and budgets to remain competitive and compliant.