Important immigration updates for Skilled Workers and changes to the ETA scheme

On 12 March 2025, the Home Office published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC733). The main changes for employers to be aware of are as follows:

Salary changes under the Skilled Worker route

From 9 April 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Workers on the lowest discounted rates will increase from £23,200 a year (or £11.90 per hour) to the new minimum salary floor of £25,000 a year (or £12.82 per hour). This largely impacts those in the health and care sector or those making extensions under the New Entrant rules, STEM PhDs or on the Immigration Salary List.

Additionally, the going rates for health and care and education occupations are also changing, where they are drawn from national pay scales, to reflect the latest pay scale updates.

Another small but potentially important change to be aware of relates to applicants who are relying on a “New Entrant” salary reduction, which allows employers to sponsor workers at a reduced salary threshold (70% of the standard going rate) for a maximum of four years, if they meet specific criteria, such as being under 26 or working towards a professional qualification. A change has been made to state that individuals must be relying on a UK qualification where their eligibility for the new entrant threshold is based on training towards a recognised professional qualification.

Finally, the new Statement of Changes specifically confirms that changes are being made to the rules concerning deductions from an applicant’s salary. The change means that when assessing whether a sponsored worker meets the required salary threshold for sponsorship, any deductions related to business costs, immigration costs, investments, or loan repayments will need to be taken into account (and reduce the salary accordingly). However, this will not be the case should the deduction be as part of an additional benefit offer where the applicant has had a genuine choice, for example, salary sacrifice arrangements. This is a further development in the Home Office's efforts to prevent sponsorship costs from being passed on to applicants and prevents applicants effectively paying towards their own salary through investing in their sponsor’s business.

Imposition of an Entry Clearance (visa) regime on Trinidad and Tobago

Effective 12 March 2025, Trinidad and Tobago was removed from Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation as an eligible nationality for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This means that nationals of Trinidad and Tobago must now apply for a Visitor Entry Clearance (visa) from a British diplomatic post before travelling to the UK. Transitional arrangements are in place for individuals who already hold an ETA and plan to enter the UK before 23 April 2025 on a confirmed travel booking made before 12 March 2025.

More exemptions from the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme

From 9 April 2025, British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders will be exempt from the need to apply for electronic travel authorisation.

If you have any questions about these changes and how they might impact your business, contact a member of our Immigration team or submit an enquiry form, below.