The minimum skill level requirement for the UK Skilled Worker visa has been raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6, effective from 22 July 2025. This change means that jobs below RQF Level 6 are no longer eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, unless they are listed on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List.
RQF Level 6 corresponds to degree-level qualifications, such as a bachelor degree, a graduate diploma, or a degree apprenticeship. However, it is important to note that under the Skilled Worker visa rules, RQF Level 6 does not mean applicants must hold a degree-level qualification. Rather, the job itself must be recognised as equivalent to RQF Level 6 or above on the UK government’s list of eligible occupations. Therefore, both employers and candidates are strongly advised to check whether the role they intend to sponsor or apply for is on the list of eligible occupations, and to review the applicable minimum salary requirements before proceeding with the visa application. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the visa being refused.
Skilled worker visa holders who were already sponsored in jobs below RQF level 6 before 22 July 2025 can still extend their visas or change employers below RFQ Level 6 under transitional arrangements, provided continuous residence.
What jobs are at RQF level 6?
You can find a list of jobs at RQF Level 6 and above in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on the UK government website. Table 1 sets out the roles that are now defined as sponsorable for new applicants.
Below is a general summary of the different tables in Appendix: Skilled Occupation and who they apply to:
- Table 1: eligible jobs under salary options A–E for new applicants.
- Table 1a, Table 2, and Table 2aa: roles and salaries that continue to apply to those who were granted their Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025.
- Table 2a: roles and salaries that continue to apply to those who were granted their Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024 and looking to extend their visa with the same sponsoring company (this route closes on 4 April 2030).
Here is a summary of salary requirement options under the new Skilled Worker visa rules (Effective 22 July 2025):
- Option A (General threshold): at least £41,700 or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Option B (Relevant PhD): at least £37,500 or 90% of your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Option C (PhD in a STEM subject): at least £33,400 or 80% of your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Option D (Role on the Temporary Shortage List:
- at least £33,400 for degree-level (RQF 6+) occupations or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- at least £23,200 for sub-degree (RQF 3–5) occupations or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Option E (New entrants): at least £33,400 or 70% of your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Options F–J: for transitional existing Skilled Workers switching or extending
- Option K: exclusively for health/education based on national pay scales, no discount options.
Below are some example jobs classified at RQF Level 6 or above (please note: this is not a comprehensive list, please check Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations2 Table 1 for the full list of eligible roles):
Executive, Management & Business Leaders:
- SOC 1111 – Chief Executives & Senior Officials, such as CEOs, senior public service leaders, diplomats
- SOC 1121 – Production managers and directors in manufacturing
- SOC 1122 – Production managers and directors in construction
Finance, Marketing & Sales Leadership
- SOC 1131 – Financial Managers & Directors, such as Investment bankers and directors
- SOC 2421 – Chartered and certified accountants, such as auditors (qualified accountant), financial accountants (qualified)
- SOC 1132 – Marketing, Sales & Advertising Directors, such as advertising and marketing directors, sales directors
- SOC 2432 – Marketing and commercial managers
Information & Communications Technology
- SOC 2132 – IT Managers, such as IT information managers, software development managers
- SOC 2131 – IT Project Managers
- SOC 2133 – IT Business Analysts / Architects / System Designers, such as data engineers, IT systems architects, computer analysts and scientists
- SOC 2134 – Programmers and software development professionals, such as computer games designers, computer programmers, software developers
- SOC 2141 – Web Design Professionals, such as application designers, web designers, UI and UX designers and researchers
Engineering, Science & Research
- SOC 2119 – Natural and social science professionals, such as sports scientists
- SOC 2111 – Chemical scientists, such as analytical chemists, nuclear and radiochemists, industrial chemists
- SOC 2112 – Biological scientists and biochemists, such as agricultural scientists, biologists, botanical and horticultural scientists
- SOC 2121 – Civil engineers, such as building and building services engineers, geotechnical engineers, mining engineers, water engineers
Education, Legal & Academic professions
- SOC 2311 – Higher education teaching professionals
- SOC 2317 – Teachers of English as a foreign language
- SOC 2412 – Solicitors and lawyers, such as commercial solicitors and lawyers, criminal solicitors and lawyers, family solicitors and lawyers
- SOC 2411 – Barristers and Judges, such as Barristers and advocates, Judges
