Islamabad, July 24, 2025: The UK new immigration rules officially came into effect on July 22, 2025, bringing big changes for businesses, employers and migrant workers. These new UK immigration rules are part of the government’s plan to reduce net migration and push UK companies to depend less on foreign labour.
The biggest changes hit the Skilled Worker visa route. One of the main updates is the increased skills requirement. From now on, only jobs that are degree-level or RQF Level 6 will be eligible. This means many low or mid-skilled jobs are no longer allowed under this visa. Around 180 job roles have been removed from the eligible list.
If someone had applied or been sponsored before July 21, their application will still be accepted under old rules. But new applications after July 22 must follow the new stricter rules.
Another major change is the rise in the salary threshold. Skilled Workers now need to earn at least £41,700 per year, up from the previous £38,700. These new salary rules also apply to those applying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after July 22.
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What Employers Need to Do Now
- Employers must check if their sponsored roles meet the degree-level requirement.
- They should adjust salaries to match the new minimum pay level.
- Those who applied before July 22 may still be okay under old rules but new hires must meet new standards.
- Sponsors should review their workforce, check who’s affected, and plan next steps.
- Training local staff and cutting dependency on foreign workers will be expected.
More changes are also coming by end of the year. These include:
- Higher Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
- New English language rules
- Updated family visa policy
- Graduate visa to be cut from 2 years to 18 months
- Settlement time for Skilled Workers may be doubled to 10 years (still under discussion)
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The new UK immigration rules are already affecting how companies hire. Businesses now need to focus more on local talent and be careful when planning future recruitment. Employers and sponsors must act smart, review current staff and follow the new system closely to avoid problems.
It is a big shift and knowing the rules well is key to staying on the safe side.
