Skilled Worker and sponsor licence rules: 2025/2026 update

Skilled Worker sponsorship has changed substantially. For Certificates of Sponsorship assigned on or after 22 July 2025, the role must normally be skilled to RQF level 6, unless it falls within a permitted exception such as the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Salary thresholds and going rates must be checked against the current rules at the date the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.

Sponsors should also be aware of the government’s 2025/2026 immigration reforms, including increased scrutiny of salary, occupation code selection, genuine vacancies, right to work checks, worker records and compliance systems. English language requirements are also changing under the reform programme, so applicants and sponsors should check the current requirement before applying.

This means sponsor licence advice should not be based on old Tier 2 assumptions. Employers need a current assessment of role eligibility, salary, occupation code, sponsorship duties and Home Office compliance risk.

Current sources: GOV.UK Sponsor a Skilled Worker guidance and the 2025 immigration reform materials. Last reviewed by NA Law Solicitors: June 2026.