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Summary of Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 997, 1 July 2025

This document, titled "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules" (HC 997), was presented to Parliament on July 1, 2025. It outlines amendments to the immigration rules governing entry and stay in the United Kingdom, building upon a statement initially laid before Parliament on May 23, 1994 (HC 395) and subsequently amended over the years.

Key Changes and Implementation Dates:

  • Immediate Effect (July 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM BST): Changes related to "APP ARAP 1 to APP ARAP6" will take effect.

  • General Implementation (July 22, 2025): All other changes outlined in this statement will come into effect.

  • Transitional Provisions: Applications made before July 22, 2025, that either use a certificate of sponsorship issued before this date or do not require one, will be decided under the Immigration Rules in force on July 21, 2025.

Significant Amendments to Immigration Routes:

  • Skilled Worker Route:

    • Salary thresholds for various points options (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) have been increased. For example, the minimum salary for option A and D has increased from £38,700 to £41,700.

    • New tables (Table 1a, Table 2aa, Table 3a) have been introduced in Appendix Skilled Occupations for certain SOC 2020 occupation codes, primarily for applicants who were granted permission under rules in place before July 22, 2025, and have maintained continuous Skilled Worker permission.

    • Specific rules apply to "Care workers and home carers" (SOC 2020 occupation codes 6135 and 6136), including requirements for permission to stay, continuous work for the sponsor, and a removal date of July 22, 2028, from the Immigration Salary List.

    • The "Temporary Shortage List" has been introduced, listing specific SOC 2020 occupation codes where applications using a certificate of sponsorship issued before December 31, 2026, are included. This list includes roles such as Managers in logistics, Laboratory technicians, and various engineering and IT technicians.

    • The definition of "Supplementary employment" for Skilled Workers granted permission before July 22, 2025, has been updated.

  • Global Business Mobility Routes: Minimum salary thresholds have been increased. For instance, the general minimum for Senior or Specialist Worker has increased from £48,500 to £52,500.

  • Scale-up Route: Minimum salary thresholds have been increased. The general threshold is now £39,100 per year.

  • Government Authorised Exchange Route: The requirement for the role to appear in certain tables of Appendix Skilled Occupations has been updated.

  • Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP): Applications must have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence before July 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM BST.

Review of Immigration Rules:

The Secretary of State is committed to reviewing all relevant Immigration Rules, including those amended by these changes, before the end of each review period. The review period is generally five years, starting from April 6, 2017, and then successive five-year periods, unless a report is published earlier, in which case the next review period begins on the publication date of that report. The review will assess whether the rules achieve their objectives and remain appropriate, and if so, whether those objectives could be met with less regulation.



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