Immigration lawyer Ashley Fleming has warned sponsors that they have “just over a week” to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) if they want applications assessed under today’s Skilled Worker criteria. Writing in The Scotsman on 26 January 2026, Fleming highlights sweeping changes that take effect on 22 July 2025—most notably a jump in the general salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 and the removal of about 180 occupation codes from eligibility.(scottishlegal.com)
From 22 July only roles classed at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6—degree-level—will normally qualify for sponsorship. Sub-degree jobs will be permitted only if they appear on the expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL) or a new Temporary Shortage List, both of which expire at the end of 2026. Employers who still need to bring in, for example, care workers or lab technicians not on those lists must therefore act before the deadline.
![Last chance for sponsors: one week left to issue Certificates of Sponsorship under current Skilled Worker rules]()
VisaHQ can lighten that administrative burden. Through its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the firm automates CoS generation, pre-screens candidates against the new salary and RQF rules and liaises with the Home Office on employers’ behalf—saving sponsors precious time when every day counts.
Fleming also flags higher English-language standards (CEFR B2 from 8 January 2026) and new restrictions on bringing dependants in some shortage-occupation categories. Existing sponsored workers below RQF 6 can extend their visas, but new entrants cannot.
For mobility managers, the action points are clear: audit future hires, fast-track any CoS issuance for roles that will soon be ineligible, and revisit pay benchmarking to meet the £41,700 cash threshold—or the higher occupation-specific ‘going rate’. Failing to do so could derail recruitment plans for the second half of 2026.
From 22 July only roles classed at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6—degree-level—will normally qualify for sponsorship. Sub-degree jobs will be permitted only if they appear on the expanded Immigration Salary List (ISL) or a new Temporary Shortage List, both of which expire at the end of 2026. Employers who still need to bring in, for example, care workers or lab technicians not on those lists must therefore act before the deadline.
VisaHQ can lighten that administrative burden. Through its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the firm automates CoS generation, pre-screens candidates against the new salary and RQF rules and liaises with the Home Office on employers’ behalf—saving sponsors precious time when every day counts.
Fleming also flags higher English-language standards (CEFR B2 from 8 January 2026) and new restrictions on bringing dependants in some shortage-occupation categories. Existing sponsored workers below RQF 6 can extend their visas, but new entrants cannot.
For mobility managers, the action points are clear: audit future hires, fast-track any CoS issuance for roles that will soon be ineligible, and revisit pay benchmarking to meet the £41,700 cash threshold—or the higher occupation-specific ‘going rate’. Failing to do so could derail recruitment plans for the second half of 2026.
