New UK immigration rules are scheduled to come into force on 22 July, pending Parliament’s approval
What’s changing
Higher thresholds for Skilled Worker visas
The government is raising the skills and salary requirements, removing 111 occupations from eligibility.
No more social‑care worker visas
The route for overseas social-care workers is closed due to widespread abuse and exploitation
More selective low‑skill entry
A time-limited Temporary Shortage List will allow only specific, essential roles (aligned with industrial needs) to be filled by overseas workers.
Crucially, employers must have domestic training plans in place—or lose access to the visa system.
Tighter rules for dependants & benefits
Workers on the shortage list cannot bring dependants and won’t qualify for salary/visa fee discounts.
Independent oversight
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review which jobs and salary rates are included on the shortage list.
Review & extension
The Temporary Shortage List expires at the end of 2026 unless MAC recommends continuation.
When it happens
Rules come into effect from 22 July 2025, subject to Parliament.
Transitional arrangements are in place for current overseas care workers already in the UK.
What’s next
By the end of 2025, the government also aims to:
Increase the Immigration Skills Charge paid by employers.
Raise language requirements for all visa applicants.
Introduce a new family visa framework in Parliament.
These reforms are the first steps of a broader package from the 2025 Immigration White Paper, with further changes—especially around asylum and border security, expected later this year.
Why it matters
Shift toward higher-skilled migration: The government is refocusing the system to benefit the UK economy through skilled workers and domestic training.
Reducing reliance on cheap foreign labour: It ends the model where low-cost migrant labour dominates some key sectors.
Tackling exploitation: The care sector notably suffered from worker abuse, prompting the social‑care route closure.
Government rationale
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper describes this as a “complete reset”, aiming to:
Control immigration numbers
Prioritise investment in UK skills and training
Ensure migrants contribute positively to the economy and society
In summary:
The UK government is launching a major overhaul of its immigration system, effective 22 July 2025:
Raising the bar for skilled visas
Removing a low-skilled entry route (social care)
Introducing a limited temporary shortage list tied to domestic workforce development
Implementing stricter dependants' rules
Extending oversight and enforcement mechanisms
These are the opening moves in a broader strategy aimed at reducing net migration, promoting high-skilled immigration, balancing labour needs with UK workforce investment, and clawing back control over the immigration system.
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