The UK’s 2025 immigration reforms have shifted the goalposts again — and this time, thousands of jobs could fall off the sponsorship list.
To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, roles must now meet:
A minimum salary of £41,700, and
RQF Level 6 (degree-level) skill standards.
That means many South African professionals who were previously eligible — especially in mid-tier technical or administrative roles — may soon find themselves excluded unless they adapt.
“Eligibility isn’t forever. What qualified last year may no longer qualify next year.”
— Ryan Rennison, Managing Director of Move Up
The 2025 “Skill Shock” Explained
According to GOV.UK and Centuro Global, these changes reflect the UK’s push to prioritise high-skill, high-salary roles while tightening visa controls.
But the result?
Many “medium-skilled” jobs now only qualify under the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) — a short-term fix that can vanish overnight.
Meanwhile, The Economic Times reports a decline in family and work visa applications, suggesting the new rules are already cooling migration demand.
What South Africans Need to Know
If you’re planning to work in the UK, now’s the time to act.
Move Up’s experts can help you:
- Map your current role to the new UK standards.
- Identify missing elements (degree equivalency, NQF vs RQF alignment).
- Develop a “shock-proof” sponsorship strategy so your employer can retain your eligibility even if categories change.
“We’ve helped thousands of South Africans secure UK sponsorships.
Now, we’re helping them keep them.”
— Move Up Immigration Team