- The UK has expanded its Skilled Worker visa scheme.
- Over 70 mid-level roles have been added, including fashion designers and technicians.
- Starting salaries for these roles begin at £29,000.
The United Kingdom has broadened its Skilled Worker visa scheme, adding more than 70 mid-level roles including fashion designers and technicians with starting salaries from £29,000.
This expanded list creates a faster, more flexible route for foreign talent, as the UK responds to critical labour shortages across multiple sectors.
Taking effect from July 22, 2025, the update introduces an enhanced Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSOL) and brings significantly reduced salary thresholds for eligible roles in various industries.
Occupations now covered include those in engineering, IT, healthcare, construction, creative arts, science, and finance a move that reflects the government’s strategy to address the increasing gap in skilled labour.
Previously overlooked due to stricter immigration classifications, these mid-level jobs can now be filled more easily by international workers, thanks to simplified visa processes and relaxed pay requirements.
Some context
Under the revised guidelines, salary thresholds depend on the applicant’s background. While standard salary levels remain for most new workers, “new entrants,” PhD holders, and individuals with continuous Skilled Worker visas before April 4, 2024, are eligible for reduced pay thresholds a vital change for both businesses and job seekers.
For example, pipe fitters, once required to earn at least £46,000, can now qualify with £40,400. Engineering technicians are eligible with £34,700, down from £42,500. In creative sectors, fashion designers qualify at £29,100, while data analysts can apply with £28,600. Science and healthcare fields also benefit lab technicians are now eligible at £25,000, a notable drop from the previous £33,400.
What to know
This adjustment reflects both economic need and political pressure to close workforce gaps in practical, skill-based roles that were not previously categorised as “high-skilled” under immigration laws. By lowering salary thresholds, the UK aims to attract essential workers while maintaining its competitive edge in global hiring.
Applicants must still satisfy the main visa conditions: securing a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and providing relevant documents such as academic qualifications, job title, and salary aligned with the occupation list.
Although the TSOL is considered a short-term solution, the UK government has not announced when it might be reviewed. Immigration experts advise candidates to act promptly, as some roles could be removed in future based on domestic training developments or shifting market needs.
For now, the TSOL opens a rare pathway for skilled mid-level workers from welders and electricians to choreographers and translators to pursue careers in the UK under more accessible and attractive terms.
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