What Is RQF Level 6: Who Employers Can Sponsor under the Skilled Worker Visa UK in 2025

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) sets the official UK standard for categorising qualifications and job skill levels. It ranges from entry‑level through to RQF Level 8 (doctorate). 

RQF Level 6 corresponds to a bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma, or an equivalent professional qualification.
 

From July 2025, the Home Office requires all new sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa UK new rules to meet the UK skilled visa RQF Level 6 standard, unless the role appears on the Immigration Salary List UK or the Temporary Shortage List UK.

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is organised into eight levels. Each level reflects a specific degree of complexity, the depth of knowledge required, and the skills needed to perform tasks at that stage. The framework is designed so that each level builds upon the one before it, creating a structured pathway from basic learning through to advanced academic or professional achievement.

The UK Skilled Worker visa 2025 changes, announced in the Immigration White Paper and implemented on 22 July 2025, raise the minimum skill threshold from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 for most sponsorship.
 

This means that roles previously eligible with A‑level or equivalent skills – such as many care, hospitality, and logistics jobs – are no longer eligible for new Certificate of Sponsorship UK assignments after 22nd July.
 

For employers, this reform has four major implications:

• Reduced eligible occupation list – More than 160 job roles have been removed from general Skilled Worker visa eligibility.
   
• Higher salary thresholds – In addition to the skill change, the Skilled Worker visa minimum salary was raised significantly.
   
• Restrictions on dependants – For RQF 3–5 roles that remain eligible under shortage exemptions, dependent visa UK sponsorship is no longer permitted for new applicants.
   
• Transitional limits – Existing sponsored workers in removed roles may continue in them, but no new overseas hires are possible unless the role qualifies under shortage provisions.

• Full list of removed occupations – here.
   
• Employers can review the current list of eligible occupations – this is the definitive source for confirming whether a role meets the skill and salary requirements for the sponsorship visa UK route. If your occupation code is listed as ‘medium skilled’, you can only apply for this visa if your job is on either:
  • the Immigration Salary list
  • the Temporary Shortage list

The government has decided to expand the Immigration Salary List. Now the ISL contains the existing occupations plus the ones at RQF levels 3-5 which the MAC identified as being in shortage in its 2023 review and 2024 rapid review. An occupation is only included on the list where an application has been made using a certificate of sponsorship issued by a sponsor to an applicant before the removal date noted in the Statement of Changes – 31 December 2026 (except for care workers and senior care workers).
 

The Temporary Shortage List UK (TSL) was introduced alongside the UK skilled worker visa overhaul 2025 to provide transitional relief for certain roles that have been removed from the main skilled worker visa UK list but are still in demand. The TSL applies only until 31 December 2026 and allows sponsorship of certain RQF level 3 to RQF level 5 roles, such as some IT support jobs, translators, and technical sales roles, at reduced salary levels.
 

However, both lists have strict conditions. Any worker sponsored in an RQF 3–5 role under ISL or TSL after 22nd July is no longer eligible to bring dependants on a dependent visa UK, unless they were already in the skilled worker route before the change. Additionally, these roles will almost certainly be removed from eligibility entirely when the transitional period ends, meaning employers must plan for domestic recruitment or role restructuring.

The new immigration rules UK introduced on 22nd July increased the minimum salary threshold Skilled Worker requirements across the board. For most RQF Level 6 roles, the minimum is now £41,700 or the going rate skilled worker figure for the SOC code, whichever is higher.
 

For certain categories, reduced thresholds apply:

• New entrant skilled worker and some PhD roles can be sponsored at £33,400.
• Immigration Salary List UK and Temporary Shortage List UK roles at RQF 3–5 also require at least £33,400, plus meeting the going rate for that role.
• PhD-qualified workers in relevant subjects may qualify at 90% of the going rate, with an absolute minimum of £37,500.
   

The “going rate skilled worker” is set out in the appendix skilled occupations tables for each occupation code and must always be met in addition to the general salary threshold. Employers must also ensure the rate is based on a 37.5-hour week; any variations must be pro‑rated.

Employers should immediately audit all current and planned sponsored positions against the updated Skilled Worker visa eligible occupations and codes. Roles no longer meeting RQF level 6 criteria should be reviewed for eligibility under the ISL or TSL, noting the strict dependent visa UK restrictions and short timelines.
 

Salary structures must be reviewed to meet both the salary threshold UK and the relevant going rate skilled worker requirements. Budget planning should account for the increased costs of how much it costs to sponsor a work visa UK, including the immigration skills charge, CoS fees, and potential tier 2 visa sponsorship cost to employer where transitional cases are still being processed.

For sectors most affected — such as care, hospitality, and logistics — employers will need to look at domestic recruitment drives, apprenticeships, and potentially job redesign to meet RQF level 6. Those in high‑skill sectors like engineering, IT, and healthcare should seize the opportunity to streamline how to sponsor a work visa UK processes to attract top global talent before further tightening.