The UK government has unveiled new immigration rules that will end the recruitment of foreign care workers, significantly raise the bar for Skilled Worker visas, and introduce a new system aimed at curbing net migration.
Introduced in Parliament as part of the Immigration White Paper, the new measures will take effect from July 22, pending parliamentary approval.
Under the proposals, only workers with degree-level qualifications (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6 and above) will qualify for Skilled Worker visas, replacing the previous A-level equivalent requirement (RQF level 3).
Additionally, the minimum salary threshold will rise from £38,700 to £41,700, in line with recent Office for National Statistics data. A new shortage occupation list, valid until the end of 2026, will allow recruitment into select non-degree level roles in critical infrastructure.
However, migrants in these roles will be barred from bringing dependents and will no longer receive discounted salary or visa fees.
Speaking on the reforms, Migration Minister Seema Malhotra said the changes reflect a major shift in the UK’s visa policy:
“The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas… mainly to graduate professions.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the reforms as part of a full immigration reset:
“We are delivering a complete reset… to restore order to the immigration system and ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.”
The Home Office estimates that the new rules could reduce net migration by up to 100,000 annually.
Backlash from the Care Sector
The decision to phase out visas for foreign care workers has provoked sharp criticism from within the industry, which is grappling with a shortfall of more than 130,000 vacancies.
Will Dalton, GMB union’s national officer, labelled the move “potentially catastrophic,” warning that the care sector is “utterly reliant on migrant workers.”
The Home Office acknowledged the reliance on foreign labour in care but claimed as many as 40,000 workers may have been recruited by “rogue” providers. While the government plans to phase out overseas recruitment in this sector, transitional arrangements have been outlined for care workers already living and working in the UK.
What You Should Know
- The UK will end Skilled Worker visas for foreign care workers, requiring degree-level qualifications (RQF level 6) and a £41,700 minimum salary, effective July 22, 2025.
- A temporary shortage occupation list until 2026 excludes dependents and discounted fees for lower-skilled roles.
- The care sector, with 130,000 vacancies, warns of a “catastrophic” impact, though 40,000 existing care workers can stay under transitional rules.
- The measures aim to reduce net migration by 100,000 annually, with further changes like tougher English requirements coming by year-end.
- The government seeks to prioritize domestic training to address labor shortages, amid backlash from the care industry.
