Skilled Worker Visa 2025: The Complete Employer Guide

The Skilled Worker visa remains one of the UK’s most vital immigration routes for employers looking to recruit overseas talent. From 22 July 2025, the rules have undergone major updates, especially around salary thresholds and job eligibility. This guide offers a clear breakdown of everything UK employers need to know.

1️⃣ What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa allows UK-based employers with a sponsor licence to hire workers from outside the UK for eligible jobs. Key requirements include:

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

• A job at RQF Level 6 or above (degree-level skills)

• Meeting minimum salary thresholds

• Proof of English language proficiency (B1 level)

• A total of 70 points under the Points-Based Immigration System

This visa can lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years.

2️⃣ Key Changes from 22 July 2025

Change	Impact
RQF Level raised	Only RQF 6+ jobs are now eligible (except certain transitional roles)
Higher Salary Thresholds	Standard minimum now £41,700/year or £17.13/hour
Hourly Rate Enforcement	Caps working hours at 48 per week for calculations
ISL/TSL Roles Limited	Sub-degree level roles must be on Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List (limited time only)
Care route closed to new overseas applicants	Only in-country switches permitted (until 2028)

3️⃣ Salary Thresholds: Options A to E

To sponsor a Skilled Worker, employers must meet one of the salary thresholds below (whichever is higher between annual salary and hourly rate):

Option	Description	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate	Notes
A	General threshold	£41,700	£17.13	Applies to most roles
B	Non-STEM PhD roles	£37,500	£17.13	Must hold relevant PhD
C	STEM PhD roles	£33,400	£17.13	Discount for PhD in STEM fields
D	Immigration Salary List (ISL) jobs	£30,960	£17.13	Must be on ISL and RQF6+
E	New entrants	£30,960	£17.13	Applies to graduates and those under 26

Exceptions (Options F–K)

These apply primarily to:

• Health and care jobs

• Education roles

• Continuing employment with the same sponsor

Salaries for these roles range from £23,200 to £29,000, depending on occupation.

4️⃣ Eligible Occupations

Use the Skilled Occupations list to determine:

• RQF Level (must be 6 or above from July 2025)

• Whether the job appears on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL)

• Relevant SOC codes and going rates

A full list of qualifying roles and their salary levels is available via the Home Office.

5️⃣ English Language Requirement

Applicants must meet CEFR Level B1 in English. This can be proven through:

• An approved English test (e.g. IELTS UKVI)

• A UK degree or equivalent taught in English

• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country

6️⃣ Visa Timeline & Application Process

Stage	Timeframe
Sponsor licence application	8–12 weeks (priority available)
CoS issuance (Defined)	1–2 working days
Visa application (outside UK)	3 weeks standard
Visa application (in UK)	8 weeks standard
Priority/Super priority service	1–5 working days depending on location

Visa must be applied for within 3 months of CoS assignment.

7️⃣ Extension, Settlement & Switching

• Extensions must meet the new thresholds at the time of application

• Settlement (ILR) requires:

  • 5 years of continuous lawful stay

  • Meeting the salary requirement at time of ILR, not at original grant

  • Passing Life in the UK Test

• Switching from eligible visa routes (e.g. Graduate, Tier 2) is permitted in-country

8️⃣ Sponsorship Duties for Employers

As a licensed sponsor, you must:

• Report start dates, absences, and job changes via the Sponsor Management System

• Ensure salary and job role remain compliant

• Retain supporting documents (e.g. contracts, recruitment evidence)

• Cooperate with Home Office audits and inspections

9️⃣ How imminova Can Help

Navigating the updated Skilled Worker route requires precision. At imminova, we:

• Review job descriptions and confirm eligibility

• Validate salary levels against Option A–E bands

• Manage CoS requests and allocations

• Build evidence packs to withstand Home Office scrutiny

• Offer ongoing compliance support and systems

📩 Need advice with a Skilled Worker Visa? Contact imminova today.