A total of 111 occupations have been removed from the Skilled Worker visa route in the United Kingdom as the government updates the UK work visa rules for immigrants.
This reform was announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who asserted that it is aimed at curbing net migration and prioritizing high-skilled roles.
Cooper also announced that the reforms will be implemented from 22 July 2025 after parliamentary approval.
A review of the new UK work visa rules revealed that one of the most significant blows landed on the care sector.
Overseas recruitment for care workers will cease entirely, ending a temporary measure introduced in 2022 to address shortages.
Employers of care workers have been advised to prioritize hiring from the domestic workforce or existing UK-based visa holders.
Some other key changes to the UK work visa rules include ending the skilled worker visa route for social care workers, raising the salary and skill thresholds across all eligible jobs, phasing out sub-degree level roles unless they appear on a new shortage list, and blocking dependents from accompanying workers under temporary shortage schemes.
Also, the UK government announced that the traditional Shortage Occupation List has been phased out for a Temporary Shortage List.
The UK government said it will include only roles it deems critical to the national interest, such as those in infrastructure, health, or strategic industries.
Also, workers under this temporary list will face tighter conditions, including, no dependents allowed, no visa fee discounts, and no salary concessions.
