Significant updates to the UK’s Immigration Rules take effect from 22 July 2025, and they’ll impact all Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) requests assigned on or after this date.

Most notably, the minimum skill level for Skilled Worker visas is being raised to RQF Level 6, meaning only graduate-level roles will now qualify. Roles that fall below this level will no longer be eligible unless they are listed on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL). If you submit a Defined CoS (DCoS) request for a role that doesn’t meet these new criteria, it will be rejected unless the worker qualifies under transitional arrangements.

Care roles (SOC codes 6135 and 6136) are especially affected. Overseas applications will no longer be accepted. However, workers already employed in these roles in the UK may be eligible to switch or extend their permission, provided they’ve been working legally with you for at least three months.

Salary thresholds have also increased for Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up visas, and must now align with updated Office for National Statistics data.

The TSL introduces temporary access to certain sub-RQF Level 6 roles but won’t allow for dependants and offers no discounts.

As a sponsor, make sure you review all CoS details carefully and clearly state if transitional arrangements apply. Any applications submitted after 22 July that don’t follow the new rules will likely be refused.