The UK Home Office has released a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, detailing key amendments across several visa categories, including the Skilled Worker route, Visitor visas, Global Talent visas, and the Ukraine visa schemes.
New Sponsorship Requirements for Care Workers
In response to a growing number of care workers left without valid sponsorship due to employers losing their license or failing to provide adequate employment, the rules for sponsoring care workers and senior care workers under the Skilled Worker route have been revised.
Under the new rules, sponsors must first attempt to recruit from among care workers already in the UK and seeking new employment before turning to overseas recruitment. This effort must be supported by a confirmation letter from the relevant regional or sub-regional partnership organization, affirming that no suitable candidates are available within the existing pool.
These requirements apply exclusively to care work positions located in England and do not affect applicants in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Exemptions also apply to those already employed in these roles before the changes came into effect, including workers switching sponsors or those who have been legally employed for at least three months after switching from another immigration route.
Skilled Worker Salary Threshold Raised
The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has been increased from £23,200 per year (£11.90/hour) to £25,000 per year (£12.82/hour), effective immediately.
As per standard practice, salary thresholds are annually updated using the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data to reflect the latest labor market trends. The updated figures are also intended to remain significantly above the National Living Wage, which will rise in April 2025.
Sector-specific salary levels in healthcare and education, derived from national pay scales, are also being updated. For other occupations, existing salary benchmarks are being revised solely to reflect the new minimum threshold.
Further adjustments clarify that training programs qualifying for “new entrant” salary discounts must lead to UK-recognized professional qualifications. The rules governing salary deductions have also been updated.
Visitor Visa Requirement Introduced for Trinidad and Tobago
Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will now be required to obtain a visa before visiting the UK. Consequently, the country has been removed from the list of nationals eligible for the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
According to the Home Office, this policy shift follows a sustained increase in asylum claims from Trinidad and Tobago nationals, many of which fall outside the scope of the UK’s Visitor Immigration Rules, such as attempts to work, reside, or seek asylum in the UK.
A transitional period has been implemented: travelers from Trinidad and Tobago with confirmed bookings made before the rule change and scheduled for arrival by 3:00 PM BST on April 23, 2025, may still travel without a visa—provided they hold a valid ETA. All ETA applications must have been submitted by 3:00 PM GMT on March 12, 2025.
Those with confirmed travel after the transitional period will require a visa, regardless of any rescheduling. The six-week transition is intended to prevent disruption, minimize financial losses, and ensure fairness for travelers with prior arrangements. The current standard visa processing time is three weeks.
Updates to the Ukraine Visa Schemes
The government has introduced several updates to its Ukraine visa pathways, including the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) and the Homes for Ukraine (HfU) scheme.
Launched on February 4, 2025, the UPE scheme allows Ukrainians and their eligible family members already residing in the UK under previous Ukraine routes to extend their temporary protection. The latest changes extend eligibility to children under 18 who previously held outside-the-rules permissions, aligning their status with their families.
Changes to the HfU scheme introduce a new requirement that unaccompanied minors must be matched with pre-approved sponsors. The definition of “parent” has also been standardized across immigration systems. Parents seeking to reunite with their children must now be lawfully residing in the UK.
Global Talent Visa Criteria Updated
The Global Talent route, which targets exceptional individuals in science, digital technology, arts, and culture, is undergoing refinements to the evidence required for endorsement.
At the request of Arts Council England and its affiliated endorsing bodies, adjustments have been made to the documentation criteria applicants must provide. In addition, the list of eligible prestigious prizes—allowing applicants to bypass endorsement—is being updated to reflect current global achievements in the sciences and the arts.
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