From 22 July 2025, the government is overhauling the Skilled Worker visa by tightening the restrictions around eligibility. There are 180 roles being made ineligible for the Skilled Worker visa, including many roles in the construction industry and hospitality.
With adjustments to salary thresholds, stricter eligibility guidelines, and many key roles being removed – find out what’s changing with the Skilled Worker visa.
Skilled Worker visa definition
A Skilled Worker visa allows eligible foreign workers to find employment in the UK. You need a confirmed job offer (certificate of sponsorship), meet a minimum salary, and demonstrate English language proficiency. This visa is the primary route for skilled foreign workers to live and work in the UK.
Changes to the Skilled Worker visa
Government changes to the Skilled Worker visa mean many occupations will no longer benefit from more lenient visa rules. A range of roles in the hospitality sector will be axed from the Shortage Occupation list, including:
- chefs
- bar managers
- bakers
- café managers
- restaurant managers
- hotel managers
And many roles in the trades and construction industries are being removed too, like:
- bricklayers
- masons
- roofers
- roof tilers and slaters
- carpenters
- sheet metal workers
- electricians
Many of the roles that have been made ineligible were added to the Skilled Worker visa back in 2024 to tackle staff shortages in certain industries. The list of all the occupations can be found on the government website – it’s worth double-checking if you’re unsure about a role’s eligibility.
The changes come as a part of the government’s broader immigration strategy that looks to reduce migration to the UK.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “As part of the Plan for Change, we can build an immigration system that serves the needs of the British economy and people – one that values skills, tackles exploitation, and ensures those who come to the UK make a genuine contribution.”
Salary threshold increased
For the occupations that remain eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, there’ll be changes to the salary threshold.
The general threshold for getting a Skilled Worker visa is rising from £38,700 to £41,700 a year. And for those already on a Skilled Worker visa, the salary threshold will rise from £29,000 to £31,300 a year.
This means any workers in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa will need to be paid at least £31,300 by 22 July to keep their legal working status. This could see many employers needing to give pay rises to keep staff on board, especially in hospitality as wages are generally lower.
And going forward, the government looks set to make sponsoring foreign workers more expensive for businesses too.
Blow for hospitality and construction industries
The crucial roles that have been removed from the Skilled Worker visa were initially added to help tackle skills shortages. But both hospitality and construction are still suffering from labour shortages. Many working in these sectors feel the latest visa changes may make matters worse.
There are 132,000 vacancies in the hospitality industry, according to UKHospitality. And statistics from the Construction Industry Training Board suggest the industry will need an additional 225,000 workers by 2027 to fill the demand.
It remains to be seen if the government’s strategy of investing in apprenticeships will do enough to turn the tide. Especially with both industries struggling with the rising cost of doing business.
More useful guides for small business owners
- How to complete a background check on an employee
- Guide to Apprenticeship Levy for business owners
- A guide to PAYE for employers
- The best accounting software in 2025
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