In 2025, the Skilled Worker Visa (UK) route remains one of the most sought-after pathways for international professionals to work and build a career in the UK. With recent changes in rules coming into effect on 22 July 2025, it’s more important than ever to understand the job eligibility, salary thresholds, and strategy to secure sponsorship.
Getting this right can mean landing a high-CPC (cost-per-click) job that drives value for you — and for any content you create around it.
This blog post gives you a comprehensive breakdown of what the visa route involves in 2025, the types of jobs that qualify, the critical changes, and actionable tips to position yourself for success.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa is the UK government’s main immigration route for overseas nationals to take up sponsored employment in the UK in eligible roles. The employer must hold a license to sponsor and the job must meet certain skill levels and salary thresholds. You can apply whether you’re outside the UK or seeking to switch from another visa within the UK (subject to rules).
For 2025:
- The job must be on the eligible occupations list maintained by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). (GOV.UK)
- The job must meet a minimum skill level and minimum salary.
- The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- You must meet general visa criteria (English language, maintenance funds, etc) though these are standard.
What is New for 2025? Key Changes You Must Know
The rules changed significantly from 22 July 2025, and if you’re aiming for a job that leads to sponsorship, you must factor these in. Below are the most important updates:
1. Higher Skill Level Requirement
From 22 July, new applications must be for roles at RQF Level 6 or above (roughly a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) unless the job falls under a special shortage list.
Roles at RQF 3-5 (which include many previously eligible roles) are now largely ineligible unless they appear on the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
2. Increased Salary Thresholds
The minimum salary for many applicants has increased:
- The general minimum for most roles: £41,700 per year (or the “going rate” for the occupation, whichever is higher).
- For certain PhD holders and STEM roles, there are slightly lower thresholds (~ £37,500) or discounted new entrant routes.
Employers must pay at least whichever is higher: the threshold or the actual going rate for that specific job.
3. Removal and Restriction of Many Jobs
Over 100 jobs (many at RQF Level 3-5) have been removed from the standard eligibility list for new applications.
Employers recruiting overseas for many mid-skill roles must now look at the TSL and meet additional requirements (like training UK residents) rather than assuming sponsorship is available.
4. Changes to Dependants and Supplementary Work
Workers in jobs below RQF 6 (on TSL) may face restrictions: for example, no dependants may apply in many such roles.
Additionally, those already on a Skilled Worker visa before the change may have transitional protections, but they must check very carefully.
Which Jobs Qualify in 2025?
After the changes, the jobs that most easily qualify are:
- Graduate-level professions: engineers, IT specialists, senior health and clinical roles, university academics, management roles requiring degree level.
- Jobs on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL): some careers previously considered mid-skill may still qualify, but with extra conditions and time-limited.
- High‐paid specialist roles where the going rate is significantly above threshold.
Note: If a job is not at RQF 6 or above and not on the TSL, it’s typically not eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship from 22 July 2025 onward.
Examples of roles that might qualify
- Software engineer, data scientist, senior developer (IT / STEM)
- Chartered engineer or experienced project manager
- Senior lecturer or researcher at a university
- Specialist health professionals (doctors/dentists)
- Senior roles in finance, consulting, or management
Jobs that are now mostly ineligible
- Careers at RQF Level 3-5 (e.g., traditional technician roles, many subordinate roles unless on TSL)
- Many care-worker and support assistant roles based abroad — these have been restricted.
Job Niches with Higher Salary Leads
- IT / Software development
- Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil)
- Data science / AI / machine learning
- Senior finance & consulting
- Health specialist roles (doctors, senior nurses)
- Academic research & higher education
These areas often have companies willing to sponsor, and high-salary roles appeal to employers which satisfy visa thresholds. From an advertiser’s perspective, topics related to tech jobs or migration often attract premium ad bids.
Action Plan to Secure a Skilled Worker Job in 2025
Here’s a practical roadmap:
- Check your qualification & job level – Ensure your desired role is at or above RQF 6 (graduate level) or appears on the TSL if RQF 3-5.
- Research employer sponsorship – Find UK firms with a sponsor licence. Check if they have previously sponsored international workers.
- Target high-salary roles – Look for job adverts where salary meets or exceeds £41,700 (or the going rate for that occupation).
- Prepare your CV and portfolio – Highlight degree level credentials, relevant experience, and how you meet the job’s “going rate”.
- Secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from employer – Without this you cannot apply for visa.
- Submit your visa application – Include evidence of maintenance funds, English language ability, CoS, and proof the job meets salary/skill criteria.
- Plan for long-term – If you aim for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain, ILR) later, ensure your job remains eligible and salary stays at the required standard.
Key Things to Watch for And Avoid
- Don’t assume older job codes apply — the list of eligible occupations was updated 22 July 2025. Always check current list on GOV.UK.
- Salary “going rate” matters — even if the general threshold is £41,700, many jobs require higher pay depending on job code.
- Be cautious with mid-skill roles — if the job is RQF 3-5 (e.g., technician), new rules may make sponsorship impossible unless on TSL.
- Bring dependants? If you apply under a role on the TSL (RQF 3-5), you may be restricted from bringing family members.
- Transitional rules are limited — If you’re already in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa, some older rules may still apply but cannot be assumed.
Why This Topic Has High Value
- High intent: People searching for visa routes and jobs are often near decision-time and looking to invest in services, courses, job boards, agencies, etc.
- Premium job sectors: Tech, finance, engineering – these attract advertisers willing to pay more to reach qualified professionals.
- Geographic spread: Attracts audiences worldwide (India, Nigeria, Africa, Asia) looking for UK work—broader audience base.
- Evergreen & timely: Rule changes in 2025 make this topic timely; but also visa/job search remains evergreen.
- Affiliate / service tie-ins possible: Legal services, job portal subscriptions, relocation services can be partnered (provided disclosures are made
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to work in the UK via the Skilled Worker Visa in 2025, you must stay on top of the updated rules. Focus your search on graduate-level roles (RQF 6+), target higher salary jobs, ensure the employer can sponsor you, and apply with confidence.
Summary Checklist
| Item | Have you done it? |
|---|---|
| Confirm job is at RQF 6 or on TSL | ☐ |
| Check employer has sponsor licence | ☐ |
| Verify salary meets £41,700 (or going rate) | ☐ |
| Prepare CV emphasising degree/skills | ☐ |
| Secure Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | ☐ |
| Submit visa application with full evidence | ☐ |
| If creating content: target high-CPC keywords and sectors | ☐ |