Law 360 quotes Owen Chan on changes to the Skilled Worker visa route
A Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules was published on 1 July 2025. From 22 July 2025, chefs, catering and bar managers, and around 180 other roles classified as skill level RQF 3 to 5 will no longer be eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
There are transitional provisions which mean that individuals who are currently sponsored in those roles, or whose first Certificate of Sponsorship is issued before 22 July, can continue to be sponsored for the time being.
When these individuals make a new application under the Skilled Worker visa route, employers will need to ensure they are being paid the new minimum salary for their occupation; the Statement of Changes has amended (and in some cases increased) the going rate of occupations based on the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data.
Owen Chan, Senior Associate in the Immigration team comments on this change for Law 360 and says to employers:
Now is the time to review your hiring plans and act quickly.
"It would be worth employers carrying out an audit to identify employees who are currently being paid very close to the minimum salary required under the skilled worker category to assess whether any adjustment is required ahead of these employees' future extension or indefinite-leave-to-remain applications.
Read the full piece in Law 360 here.
