UK Skilled Worker Visa: What has Changed, What is Proposed, and What You Need to Do Now

A plain-English guide to the confirmed 2025 rule changes and the Government’s proposed settlement reforms and how they affect your path to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you are in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, the past six months have brought more significant changes to the immigration rules than at any point since the points-based system launched in 2021. Some of these changes are already in force. Others are still proposals but they are proposals the Government has confirmed it intends to implement.

This article sets out, clearly and without jargon, what has already changed, what is being proposed, and critically the key date you need to be aware of if you are planning your route to settlement.

Part 1: Changes Already in Force

The following changes have been confirmed and are now part of the Immigration Rules. They apply to new Skilled Worker applications and, in some cases, to extensions and transfers.

1. Salary Threshold Raised to £41,700

From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary required to sponsor a Skilled Worker increased from £38,700 to £41,700 per year (or 100% of the relevant going rate, whichever is higher). The ‘new entrant’ discounted threshold has also risen, to £33,400.

This is now a 59% increase compared to the pre-2024 threshold of £26,200. For many roles, this change has permanently removed them from the Skilled Worker route.

2. Skill Level Requirement Raised to RQF Level 6

The minimum skill level for sponsored roles has been raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6, broadly equivalent to degree level. This has removed approximately 180 occupation codes from the eligible roles list.

Workers already sponsored in lower-skilled roles (RQF 3–5) before 4 April 2024 may be able to extend or switch until 4 April 2030 (or 22 July 2028 for care workers). However, workers in these roles cannot sponsor new dependants.

3. English Language Requirement Increased to B2

From 8 January 2026, first-time Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English at B2 level (upper-intermediate) under the Common European Framework of Reference, up from B1. This applies to new applications on the Skilled Worker, Scale-Up and High Potential Individual routes.

Extensions and settlement applications on the Skilled Worker route continue to require B1 in most cases, but settlement itself will require B2 under the proposed new system (see Part 2).

4. Social Care Worker Route Closed

The Senior Care and Care Worker route was closed to new overseas recruitment from 22 July 2025. Existing workers on this route are not immediately affected, but the route is no longer available to new applicants from abroad.

Part 2: The Proposed Settlement Reforms

On 20 November 2025, the Home Office published ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, setting out its intention to fundamentally reform the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The consultation closed on 12 February 2026.

These are not yet law. But they are the most significant proposed changes to settlement policy in a generation, and you should begin planning now.

The Core Proposal: From 5 Years to 10 Years

Under the current system, most Skilled Workers can apply for ILR after five years of continuous lawful residence. Under the proposed ‘Earned Settlement’ model, that baseline period would double to 10 years.

The Government is framing this as a move away from ‘time-served’ settlement towards a model based on four pillars: character, integration, contribution, and residence. In practice, it means a longer wait for the majority of migrants.

Settlement Pathways: A Comparison

Route	Current	Proposed
Standard Skilled Worker (RQF 6+)	5 years	10 years (proposed)
Lower-skilled roles (RQF 3–5)	5 years	15 years (proposed)
Health & Care visa holders	5 years	15 years (proposed)
High earner £50,270+ (3 yrs)	5 years	5 years (reduced)
High earner £125,140+ (3 yrs)	5 years	3 years (reduced)
EU Settlement Scheme holders	5 years	5 years (unchanged)
Family of British citizens	5 years	5 years (unchanged)
Global Talent / Innovator Founder	3 years	3 years (unchanged)

How High Earners Can Reduce the Qualifying Period

The proposal introduces an income-linked ‘contribution’ criterion that allows qualifying periods to be shortened:

•      Earning £50,270 or more for at least three consecutive years reduces the qualifying period by five years

•      Earning £125,140 or more for at least three consecutive years reduces it by seven years

•      Working in a specified public service role (such as medicine or teaching) may reduce it by five years

This means a high-earning Skilled Worker on £50,270+ could potentially reach ILR in five years, the same as the current standard. However, those on lower salaries will face the full 10-year baseline.

Additional Requirements Under the Proposed System

Beyond the qualifying period, applicants would need to meet the following minimum requirements to apply for settlement:

•      B2 English language proficiency (raised from B1)

•      Pass the Life in the UK test

•      Earn at least £12,570 per year for a minimum of three to five years

•      Meet standard suitability requirements (no criminal convictions, no immigration compliance issues)

What About People Already in the UK?

⚠️  Transitional Arrangements: Not Yet Confirmed

The Government’s consultation paper explicitly proposes applying the new settlement rules to “everyone in the country today who has not already received indefinite leave to remain.” This means, on the current wording, the 10-year rule could apply retrospectively, including to people already partway through their five-year route.

The consultation did ask whether transitional arrangements should exist, and the Government is reviewing responses. But as of February 2026, no transitional protection has been confirmed and no cut-off dates have been officially announced.

This uncertainty is precisely why you should not wait. If transitional protection is ultimately offered, those who have already taken steps, reviewing their timeline, checking their eligibility, speaking to an adviser, will be best placed to act quickly. If no protection is offered, those who delayed may find the 10-year clock has already started.

Part 3: Key Dates at a Glance

Date	Change
22 Jul 2025	Salary threshold for Skilled Worker raised to £41,700. Social Care Worker route closed to new overseas hires.
4 Apr 2024– 2028/2030	RQF 3–5 sponsored workers can extend/switch within time-limited windows. No new dependants permitted on these routes.
8 Jan 2026	English language requirement raised to B2 for new Skilled Worker, Scale-Up and HPI applications.
20 Nov 2025	Government publishes ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ consultation (CP 1448).
12 Feb 2026	Consultation closes. Over 130,000 responses received.
2 Feb 2026	Government confirms in Parliament it intends to proceed with Earned Settlement reforms.
Apr 2026 (indicative)	Home Secretary indicated changes will begin from April 2026. No draft Immigration Rules have yet been laid before Parliament. Exact implementation date unconfirmed.
TBC	Transitional arrangements are unconfirmed. The consultation asked whether existing visa holders should be protected — the Government’s response is still awaited.
Jul 2026	MAC review of Temporary Shortage List expected to be published.
1 Jan 2027	Graduate visa duration reduces from 2 years to 18 months.

Part 4: What Should You Do Now?

The honest answer is: do not wait. Whether you are approaching your five-year anniversary, have just started your Skilled Worker visa or are an employer managing a sponsored workforce, these changes affect your planning.

If you are an individual on a Skilled Worker visa:

•      Check your current leave grant date and your expected five-year eligibility window. Transitional protection has not yet been confirmed but if it is offered, those who are already close to their five-year anniversary will be best placed to act quickly when the rules are published.

•      Calculate your earnings history. If you are approaching or above £50,270, you may qualify for an accelerated settlement pathway under the proposed new rules.

•      Review your English language status. If you have not taken a B2 test, consider doing so proactively.

•      Seek specialist advice from an Immigration Adviser now, before the April 2026 implementation date.

If you are an employer sponsoring skilled workers:

•      Review your sponsor licence and the roles you are sponsoring. Ensure all sponsored roles meet the £41,700 threshold and RQF Level 6 requirements.

•      Plan for longer sponsorship periods. If the 10-year rule takes effect, your obligations as a sponsor and the associated costs may double.

•      Audit any RQF 3–5 sponsored workers to confirm their extension windows and dependant restrictions.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only. It is based on the Government’s published proposals and confirmed rule changes. Immigration law is complex and changes rapidly. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Please contact Point B Legal for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

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