Looking ahead: the future of Skilled Worker route

Hot on the heels of this week’s Statement of Changes to the immigration rules, the Home Office Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to undertake two critical reviews: salary requirements for work visas and the future of the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL). The outcome of the reviews will help to inform government policy, and its implementation of the Immigration White Paper published earlier this year.

Review 1: Rethinking Salary Requirements

The first review focuses on salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas, including existing discounts for roles on the Immigration Salary List (which is being phased out), as well as for new entrants and those with PhDs. The Home Secretary has asked the MAC to consider:

• A new general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas

• Whether to maintain distinct thresholds for specific routes (e.g., Health & Care, Global Business Mobility)

• Whether salary discounts should continue

• Any necessary updates to occupational going rates

• How frequently thresholds should be reviewed and updated

The MAC has been asked to report within six months.
Review 2: The Future of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)

The second review ties in with the recent statement of changes to the immigration rules, published on 1 July 2025. As part of the changes, a new Temporary Shortage List will be introduced from 22 July 2025. The TSL will temporarily allow roles at skill levels RQF 3–5 to be eligible for sponsorship under the skilled worker route until 31 December 2026, pending a full MAC review.

The MAC is tasked with evaluating:

• Which occupations are essential for national infrastructure or industrial strategy

• Whether those occupations have credible, sector-led workforce strategies

• The potential risk of worker exploitation, especially for migrant workers

• Visa terms and conditions, including caps and durations

The MAC’s recommendations will help inform whether occupations should be retained, removed, or added to the TSL. The review will unfold in two stages: a preliminary report in six months, and a final report within twelve.

This double commission signals the government’s intention, as outlined in the recent White Paper, to link access to the immigration system with wider labour market strategies. This is part of the government’s main aim of reducing overall net migration by focusing on skills and training requirements in the UK, with a view to reducing the reliance on overseas recruitment to fill skills shortages.

The coming months will be crucial for employers and industry groups to contribute and engage with future consultations and provide evidence to the MAC to assist with the reviews. This will be particularly important for those industries most likely to be affected by the planned changes.