Eligible Jobs for Skilled Worker Sponsorship in 2025 have become a central talking point for both UK employers and international professionals seeking long-term opportunities. Settling into 2025, the Skilled Worker visa continues to shine as one of the UK’s most valued immigration routes, offering a bridge between global talent and sectors that need it most. With the latest government updates now in effect, it feels like the perfect time for businesses and applicants alike to take stock of what’s changed, which roles remain eligible, and how sponsorship works under the refreshed rules. This year brings not just clarity but also a sense of opportunity, aligning skilled professionals with employers eager to grow.
The Skilled Worker Visa in 2025: What’s New?
According to the latest guidance published on the Skilled Worker visa remains central to the UK’s post-Brexit immigration framework. However, eligibility is no longer just about having a sponsor licence and filling a vacancy. In 2025, three major updates are worth noting:
- Salary thresholds have been adjusted, with the general threshold rising in line with inflation and wage growth.
- RQF Level 6 requirements mean that most eligible roles must now meet graduate-level or professional standards, tightening the scope compared to previous years.
- The Shortage Occupation List has been reshaped into a new “Temporary Shortage Roles” framework, narrowing down which industries can recruit under reduced salary thresholds.
For applicants and employers alike, this means double-checking job eligibility before making applications is no longer optional — it’s essential.
Skilled Worker Eligible Roles List in 2025
The Skilled Worker eligible roles list remains the definitive reference for applicants and sponsors. The list is structured using Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, which group jobs into detailed categories. Employers must ensure the role they are offering aligns with one of these SOC codes; otherwise, a Skilled Worker visa cannot be granted.
Categories that Qualify in 2025:
- Health and Social Care Roles
- Nurses, midwives, paramedics, and adult social care workers remain on the eligibility list.
- Despite the narrowing of the Temporary Shortage framework, these roles continue to benefit from reduced salary thresholds to help fill essential demand in the NHS and care sectors.
- STEM and High-Tech Professions
- IT business analysts, programmers, software developers, and engineering roles continue to feature strongly.
- Employers should note that the minimum skill requirement is now at RQF Level 6, ruling out certain technician-level jobs that were previously included.
- Education Roles
- Secondary school teachers in specialist subjects such as mathematics, physics, and computer science remain eligible.
- These roles continue to reflect persistent shortages across the UK education system.
- Specialist Roles in Emerging Industries
- With the government’s focus on green energy and advanced manufacturing, select engineering and scientific positions have been added to the 2025 list.
- These roles are seen as critical to supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Salary Thresholds in 2025
The salary threshold continues to be a decisive factor in determining eligibility. The standard minimum salary requirement has been raised to reflect wage increases across the economy. However:
- General threshold: Increased from £26,200 in 2024. The general salary threshold for new entrants will rise to £38,700. A lower threshold of £30,960 will apply for roles on the Immigration Salary List (replacing the Shortage Occupation List).
- Health and education exemptions: Remain lower, allowing qualified candidates to meet reduced thresholds.
- New entrant rate: Available for younger workers or those at the start of their careers, though it has been tightened with fewer eligible categories.
Employers must ensure that the salary they are offering not only meets the minimum requirement but also aligns with the specific going rate for the SOC code listed in the government tables.
The Temporary Shortage Roles Framework
The Shortage Occupation List was replaced in 2025 with the Temporary Shortage Roles framework. This system is designed to be more responsive, with the government reviewing eligible shortage roles every 12 months.
Key Differences from the Previous System:
- Fewer roles qualify under the reduced salary and visa fee thresholds.
- The focus is now firmly on roles deemed nationally essential, such as social care and key health positions.
- Certain hospitality and lower-skilled roles that once appeared on the Shortage Occupation List are no longer eligible.
This shift underscores the government’s long-term aim: prioritising highly skilled migration and reducing dependency on lower-wage sectors.
RQF Level 6: Raising the Bar
One of the most significant changes for 2025 is the requirement that most Skilled Worker-eligible roles must now be at RQF Level 6 or higher. This effectively means that jobs must be at the degree-level or professional level.
- Roles such as care workers remain exempt, given ongoing demand, but most others at technician or intermediate levels are being phased out.
- Employers who previously sponsored at Level 3 or Level 4 will now need to review their workforce planning strategies.
How Employers Can Verify Job Eligibility?
Before offering sponsorship, employers must verify that the job in question is eligible. The most reliable way to do this is through the official Skilled Worker eligible roles list published on the UK government website.
Steps employers should take:
- Match the SOC code – Confirm the role corresponds to one of the official codes listed.
- Check salary thresholds – Verify that the salary offered meets or exceeds the required threshold.
- Review exemptions – Determine if the role benefits from exemptions (such as health and education positions).
- Stay updated – The Temporary Shortage Roles framework will be reviewed annually, so employers should regularly check for updates.
What does this mean for Applicants?
For Skilled Worker visa applicants, the 2025 updates represent both challenges and opportunities. While the bar has been raised in terms of salary and skill level, the pathway remains open for those in health, education, and advanced technical fields. Applicants should:
- Review the SOC codes carefully before applying.
- Ensure their qualifications align with the new RQF Level 6 requirements.
- Explore shortage roles for potential reduced thresholds.
Take Away!
In 2025, the UK Skilled Worker visa framework will undergo important changes, and while the updates may seem technical at first glance, they’re ultimately designed to keep the system fair, consistent, and forward-looking. To summarise:
- Eligible jobs continue to be guided by the official Skilled Worker eligible roles list, carefully organised by SOC codes, so both employers and applicants have a clear reference point.
- Salary thresholds have been adjusted upwards, reflecting the evolving labour market. That said, much-needed exemptions remain in place for vital roles in health, care, and education, ensuring the UK can still welcome talent where it matters most.
- The familiar Shortage Occupation List has now evolved into a Temporary Shortage Roles framework—a streamlined approach that narrows the categories but keeps doors open for key positions with adjusted thresholds.
- A stronger focus is now placed on roles meeting RQF Level 6 requirements, which encourages a higher standard of skills and qualifications across the system.
- And for peace of mind, employers can and should always verify job eligibility directly on the official UK government website before committing to sponsorship, ensuring every step remains compliant.
For employers, these changes highlight the importance of careful planning and a proactive approach to compliance checks. For applicants, the Skilled Worker route continues to offer a rewarding pathway to the UK, with a sharper emphasis on higher-level roles that can build meaningful, long-term careers.
The bigger picture here is an optimistic one: the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 is all about matching talent with opportunity in a way that benefits everyone involved. By staying informed and aligned with the updated rules, both businesses and applicants can move forward with confidence.
And if you’d like support in navigating these changes with ease, don’t forget to follow Sponsor Licence Hub, your go-to guide for staying one step ahead in the world of sponsorship and compliance.
