Skilled Worker Visa Changes 2025: New Salary & Sponsorship Rules Explained

Major changes to the UK Skilled Worker visa take effect on April 9, 2025. Learn about new salary thresholds, sponsorship rules, and employer requirements in our detailed guide.

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The UK government has announced significant updates to the Skilled Worker visa route, set to take effect from April 9, 2025. These changes will impact sponsorship requirements, salary thresholds, and employer responsibilities. If you’re an employer, visa applicant, or HR professional, staying informed is crucial to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions in hiring processes.

This blog provides a comprehensive breakdown of the upcoming changes, their implications, and how businesses and workers can prepare.


 

Key Changes to the Skilled Worker Route (Effective April 9, 2025)

 

The changes impact several key areas: care worker sponsorship, salary thresholds, deductions, and new entrant salary reductions. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Care Worker Sponsorship Requirements

Employers hiring care workers under the Skilled Worker visa route must now prioritise recruitment from the existing pool of care workers in England who have lost their sponsorship before seeking talent from overseas.

  • Employers must provide confirmation from regional or sub-regional partnerships to prove that local recruitment efforts have been exhausted before hiring from abroad.

  • These changes apply only to care jobs in England—Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland remain unaffected.


For more details, refer to the official announcement: New rules to prioritise recruiting care workers in England

 

2. Increased Minimum Salary Requirements

A major change is the increase in the minimum salary threshold to align with updated wage data and national living wage requirements:

  • 💰 New minimum salary: Increased from £23,200 (£11.90/hour) to £25,000 (£12.82/hour).

  • 📊 Adjustments ensure wages remain above the National Living Wage, which is also set to rise in April 2025.

  • 🏥 Healthcare & education sector salaries will be adjusted according to national pay scales.

  • 📌 Other occupation salary rates will be revised only to align with the new minimum salary floor.

For more information, see the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules

 

3. Salary Deduction & Employer Sponsorship Costs

A significant change aims to prevent unfair deductions from Skilled Worker visa applicants' salaries.

  • ✅ Employers cannot pass sponsorship costs (e.g., Certificate of Sponsorship fees) onto applicants.

  • ⛔ Closes loopholes preventing self-sponsorship—applicants can no longer fund their own salaries through investments in their sponsor’s business.

  • 🔍 Ensures consistent treatment of paid allowances, creating a fairer system for visa holders.

Learn more about these updates: Key UK Immigration Updates for Employers – Stay Compliant in 2025

 

4. Changes to New Entrant Salary Reductions

A tightening of the eligibility criteria for reduced salaries under training schemes and the new entrant route:

  • 📉 To qualify for new entrant reduced salaries, applicants must be actively working towards a UK-recognised professional qualification.

  • 📌 This ensures that the salary reductions only apply to those genuinely in training programs, preventing misuse of lower salary thresholds.

Detailed guidance can be found here: Skilled Worker Visa – Application Guidance 2025

 


 

What These Changes Mean for Employers & Visa Applicants

 

  • For Employers & HR Professionals:

    • Care sector employers in England must adjust recruitment strategies to prioritise local workers before sponsoring overseas applicants.

    • Businesses must review salary structures to ensure they meet the new minimum salary requirements.

    • Reassess sponsorship policies to remain compliant with new salary deduction regulations.

    • Plan ahead—applications made before April 9, 2025, will still be processed under the existing rules, so employers may need to accelerate hiring processes.

  • For Visa Applicants & Skilled Workers:

    • If you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa before April 9, 2025, ensure your Certificate of Sponsorship is issued before this date to be assessed under current rules.

    • Those on training schemes must ensure they meet the requirements for a UK-recognised professional qualification to qualify for salary reductions.

    • Check that your employer is compliant with the new sponsorship cost regulations to avoid unexpected fees.

 


 

Next Steps: How to Prepare for the Skilled Worker Visa Changes

 

📌 Employers should: 

✅ Review existing sponsorship processes and salary structures. 
✅ Ensure recruitment strategies comply with the new care worker hiring rules. 
✅ Submit applications before April 9, 2025, where possible, to fall under the existing rules. 
✅ Seek legal advice to navigate the complexities of compliance. 


📌 Skilled Worker Visa Applicants should: 

✅ Confirm their eligibility for the Skilled Worker visa under the new salary and qualification rules. 
✅ Submit applications before the changes take effect to be assessed under current regulations. 
✅ Seek legal assistance if unsure about application requirements or sponsorship eligibility. 

 


 

📌 Need Expert Immigration Advice? Let’s Talk!

With these Skilled Worker visa changes coming into force, getting the right legal advice is crucial for both employers and applicants. Our experienced immigration lawyers at Paragon Law are here to help you navigate these new policies smoothly.

💡 Have questions? Our expert immigration lawyers are here to assist you. Contact our team today to ensure you’re fully prepared for the upcoming changes!

 

Contact Us

 

🛑 The law applicable in this article is correct as of 17 March 2025. Immigration rules frequently change, and the information here may not reflect the latest legal position. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact us to arrange a consultation with our legal team.

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