Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

The UK government introduced significant changes to the Skilled Worker visa route in July 2025. These reforms are part of a broader strategy to reduce net migration and ensure that only highly skilled workers in occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6 or above (equivalent to degree-level roles) can bring dependant family members to the UK. The 2025 Immigration White Paper, ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System,’ outlines further proposals that will shape the future of UK immigration and sets out several aims, including strategic workforce planning in key sectors such as technology.

Read Fragomen’s Immigration Alert on the July 2025 Statement of Changes for an in-depth breakdown of the new Skilled Worker visa rules and their impact on employers and affected individuals.

Skilled Worker Visa Shake-Up: July 2025 Reforms Explained

Skilled Worker visa holders were previously permitted to bring dependant family members to the UK. However, the new rules narrow dependant eligibility, linking it to the skill level of the main applicant’s role.

• • • Dependants of workers in occupations at RQF Levels 3-5, including roles in the tech sector, such as IT technicians, are no longer eligible.
    • This change does not affect individuals whose initial Certificate of Sponsorship was issued prior to 22 July 2025.
    • Additional measures are under consideration, which may have further implications for dependants and economic effects for businesses that support them as part of their immigration service offering.

Key Updates for Skilled Worker Dependants

Who qualifies as a dependant?

Dependants must be either the partner or child of the main applicant:

• • • Partners: Must be in a marriage, civil partnership or an unmarried partnership (akin to marriage or a civil partnership) with the main applicant for at least two years.
    • Children: Must be under the age of 18 or may be over 18 in specific circumstances.

All dependants must demonstrate sufficient funds and meet all other relevant criteria. For example, applicants may need to submit a tuberculosis test if they have resided in certain countries six months prior to the date of application.

What are dependants permitted to do in the UK?

• • • Dependants can work in any role except as a sportsperson or coach.
    • Dependants are currently eligible to apply for settlement after five years of continuous residence, subject to meeting all other requirements such as passing the Life in the UK test and demonstrating English proficiency at B1 level.

Impact on Tech Talent Relocating to the UK

Effective 22 July 2025:

• • • The RQF level was increased back to Level 6, reversing the decrease implemented in 2020.
    • The number of roles eligible for sponsorship has been reduced.
    •  As a temporary measure, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List may still be used, even if they do not meet the new RQF threshold. Skilled workers sponsored under this provision cannot bring dependants, marking a significant policy shift.

Tech sector roles on the Temporary Shortage List include:

• • • 3131 - IT operations technicians
    • 3132 - IT user support technicians
    • 3133 - Database administrators and web content technicians
    • 3573 - Information technology trainers
    • 5244 - Computer system and equipment installers and servicers

Note: The new changes apply only to new Skilled Worker applicants. Under the transitional provisions, workers already in the Skilled Worker route before 22 July 2025 can continue to bring dependants under the previous rules.

How Have Salary Thresholds Changed?

• • • The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker applicants has increased, making it more challenging to meet the visa requirements.
    • The change may reduce the number of dependant applications.

The Migration Advisory Committee has been commissioned to review both salary levels and the Temporary Shortage list including its conditions of use. Employers should look for forthcoming Calls for Evidence to participate and ensure that their voice is heard.

What This Means for Families of Skilled Workers 

Whilst the skill and salary threshold will only impact a small subset of the roles being recruited for, there are more wide-reaching changes afoot. The White Paper, published in May 2025, proposes further potential policy changes with implications for dependants.

• • • English language requirements: Adult dependants may need level A1 to qualify. In addition, they would need to demonstrate a progressing working level of English by advancing to level A2 at the point of extension and B2 when applying for settlement. Currently, dependants are not required to demonstrate their knowledge of English until they apply for settlement.
    • Settlement period: The Government plans to increase the qualifying period for settlement from five to ten years with the introduction of an ‘Earned Settlement’ model.

On 29 September, the Home Secretary confirmed this intention, stating that applicants for indefinite leave to remain should be in work, pay a set amount of national insurance, making a set level of National Insurance contributions, not in receipt of benefits, speaking English and contributing to the community. Exactly how this works in practice or the impact on dependants remains to be seen, but the additional hurdles are clear.

• • • The Government has also announced an end-of-year consultation to gather feedback on these and other settlement reforms, including the impact on families and the integration of foreign nationals into British society. This consultation will be crucial in shaping the final policy and clarifying the ‘Earned Settlement’ model.

Practical Next Steps for Applicants and Sponsors

The changes effective 22 July 2025 have already impacted dependants, with many now finding themselves ineligible due to the increased RQF level and salary thresholds. The proposed changes may further affect eligibility, with increased English language requirements and an extended qualifying period for settlement.

UK businesses may need to reassess their current immigration policies. In particular, tech sector employers should consider whether they will:

• • • Support dependants in meeting English language entry requirements.
    • Assist dependants in meeting the progressive English requirements for extension and settlement.
    • Factor in the costs associated with longer qualifying periods.

The full impact of these changes remains to be seen. However, a decline in dependant applications is expected in line with the changes that have already been introduced. Main applicants may instead consider other visa routes or seek alternative destinations that permit them to relocate abroad with their family.

* Alice Blackwood, Fragomen intern, contributed to this blog.

Need To Know More?

Fragomen specialises in delivering tailored immigration solutions for businesses of all sizes. To learn more about the recent and proposed changes impacting Skilled Workers and their dependants or to discuss how the firm can support businesses including responses to consultations, contact Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev at [email protected].

This blog was published on 9 October 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.