The government of the United Kingdom has introduced sweeping changes to the UK Skilled Worker Visa program, effective July 22, 2025.
The changes have significantly impacted the list of eligible occupations.
A total of 121 jobs have been removed from the UK Skilled Worker Visa program.
These changes include raising the skills threshold to RQF Level 6, meaning only degree-level jobs qualify for new overseas Skilled Worker sponsorship.
This reform, outlined in the Immigration White Paper, also raises salary thresholds and closes overseas recruitment for care worker roles, reshaping the UK’s immigration landscape.
Below is the Full List of Excluded Skilled Worker Occupations (as of 22 July 2025);
Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture
Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services
Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors
Publicans and managers of licensed premises
Leisure and sports managers and proprietors
Travel agency managers and proprietors
Health care practice managers
Early education and childcare services proprietors
Managers in storage and warehousing
Property, housing, and estate managers
Garage managers and proprietors
Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors
Betting shop and gambling establishment managers
Hire services managers and proprietors
Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified
Early education and childcare services managers
Science, engineering, and production technicians not elsewhere classified
Dispensing opticians
Medical and dental technicians
Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
Youth and community workers
Child and early years officers
Housing officers
Counsellors
Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified
Higher-level teaching assistants
Early education and childcare practitioners
Veterinary nurses
Police officers (sergeant and below)
Fire service officers (watch manager and below)
Prison service officers (below the principal officer)
Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified
Actors, entertainers, and presenters
Musicians
Interior designers
Design occupations not elsewhere classified
Fitness and wellbeing instructors
Importers and exporters
Project support officers
Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified
Buyers and procurement officers
Merchandisers
Estate agents and auctioneers
Events managers and organisers
Public services associate professionals
Career advisers and vocational guidance specialists
Other vocational and industrial trainers
Inspectors of standards and regulations
Health and safety managers and officers
National government administrative occupations
Local government administrative occupations
Officers of non-governmental organisations
Finance officers
Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified
Transport and distribution clerks and assistants
Office managers
Customer service managers
Sales administrators
Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified
Company secretaries and administrators
Personal assistants and other secretaries
Farmers
Horticultural trades
Gardeners and landscape gardeners
Groundsmen and greenkeepers
Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified
Sheet metal workers
Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders, and related occupations
Metal machining setters and setter-operators
Tool makers, tool fitters, and markers-out
Precision instrument makers and repairers
Aircraft maintenance and related trades
Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers
TV, video, and audio servicers and repairers
Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
Skilled metal, electrical, and electronic trades supervisors
Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters
Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified
Plasterers
Upholsterers
Footwear and leather working trades
Tailors and dressmakers
Textiles, garments, and related trades not elsewhere classified
Pre-press technicians
Printers
Print finishing and binding workers
Butchers
Bakers and flour confectioners
Fishmongers and poultry dressers
Chefs
Catering and bar managers
Glass and ceramics makers, decorators, and finishers
Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers
Florists
Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified
Early education and childcare assistants
Teaching assistants
Educational support assistants
Childminders
Playworkers
Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified
Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
Dental nurses
Houseparents and residential wardens
Air travel assistants
Rail travel assistants
Police community support officers
Market and street traders and assistants
Shopkeepers and owners – retail and wholesale
Sales supervisors – retail and wholesale
Market research interviewers
Customer service supervisors
Chemical and related process operatives
Water and sewerage plant operatives
Routine inspectors and testers
Driving instructors
Marine and waterways transport operatives
Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified
Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified.
