RQF Level 6: Which Jobs Are Still Eligible for UK Skilled Worker Visa in 2026

From 22 July 2025, the minimum skill level for new Skilled Worker visa applications increased from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (bachelor's degree equivalent). This single change removed approximately 180 occupations from eligibility, reshaping which jobs can be sponsored in the UK.

If you are looking for a sponsored role or employing overseas workers, this guide explains what RQF Level 6 means, which jobs were removed, what exception lists exist, and how to check whether your role qualifies.

What Does RQF Level 6 Mean?

RQF stands for Regulated Qualifications Framework. It is the UK system for classifying the level of qualifications:

RQF Level	Equivalent	Example
Level 3	A-levels	Dental nurse, IT technician (previously eligible)
Level 4	Certificate of Higher Education	Laboratory technician (previously eligible)
Level 5	Foundation degree	Engineering technician (previously eligible)
Level 6	Bachelor's degree	Software developer, nurse, engineer (still eligible)
Level 7	Master's degree	Solicitor, architect (still eligible)

Important clarification: The RQF Level 6 requirement refers to the skill level of the job, not necessarily the qualifications of the applicant. A role must require degree-level skills to be eligible. However, the individual filling the role does not necessarily need to hold a bachelor's degree — relevant experience may suffice, depending on the occupation and the employer's requirements.

Why Was This Changed?

The skill threshold was lowered from RQF Level 6 to Level 3 in 2020 (HC 813), partly to help businesses adapt after Brexit ended free movement. The 2025 Immigration White Paper reversed this, arguing that the UK labour market should prioritise domestic recruitment for sub-degree-level roles.

The government's position is that roles below RQF Level 6 should be filled by the domestic workforce, with overseas recruitment reserved for graduate-level positions where genuine skills shortages exist.

Which Jobs Were Removed?

Approximately 180 occupations at RQF Levels 3-5 lost Skilled Worker visa eligibility. Notable examples include:

Healthcare and social care

• Care workers and home carers (route closed entirely from July 2025)
• Dental nurses
• Healthcare assistants
• Pharmacy technicians

Hospitality and retail

• Hotel managers
• Restaurant managers
• Chefs (except sous chefs at senior level)

Construction and trades

• Bricklayers and masons
• Roofers
• Painters and decorators

IT and technical

• IT support technicians
• IT operations technicians (unless on Temporary Shortage List)
• Web designers

Administration and business

• Health care practice managers
• Office managers
• Veterinary nurses

The Exception Lists: ISL and TSL

Two lists allow some sub-Level 6 roles to remain temporarily eligible:

Immigration Salary List (ISL)

The ISL replaces the former Shortage Occupation List and provides salary discounts for specific occupations experiencing long-term shortages. Some RQF 3-5 roles on the ISL remain eligible for sponsorship, but the list is set to expire on 31 December 2026 unless extended.

Temporary Shortage List (TSL)

The TSL was introduced alongside the RQF Level 6 change to provide a transitional period for critical sub-degree-level occupations. Eligible roles include:

• Engineering technicians
• IT operations technicians
• Data analysts
• Laboratory technicians
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders
• Vehicle technicians
• Translators and interpreters

Key restrictions on TSL roles:

• Sponsored workers cannot bring dependants
• No salary discounts apply
• The list expires on 31 December 2026
• The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is expected to publish a review in July 2026 — roles without credible shortage evidence will be removed

Which Jobs Are Still Eligible?

All occupations at RQF Level 6 and above remain eligible. The largest categories include:

Technology

• Software developers and engineers
• Data scientists
• Cybersecurity analysts
• AI and machine learning engineers
• DevOps engineers
• Product managers

Healthcare

• Doctors and surgeons
• Nurses (registered)
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists

Engineering

• Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers
• Chemical engineers
• Architects
• Quantity surveyors

Professional services

• Accountants and auditors
• Management consultants
• Solicitors and barristers
• Marketing managers
• HR managers

Education

• Secondary school teachers (especially maths, physics, computer science)
• University lecturers
• Special educational needs teachers

The full official list is available on the GOV.UK eligible occupations page.

How to Check If Your Role Qualifies

1. Find your SOC code: Every eligible occupation has a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. Search the GOV.UK eligible occupations list for your job title
2. Check the RQF level: The listing will show the required skill level. If it says RQF Level 6 or above, the role is eligible
3. Check the going rate: Each occupation has a minimum "going rate" salary. Your offer must meet both the going rate and the general salary threshold of £41,700 (whichever is higher)
4. Check the ISL and TSL: If your role is below Level 6, check whether it appears on either exception list

Transitional Rules for Existing Visa Holders

If you were already on a Skilled Worker visa or had submitted a valid application before 22 July 2025, you benefit from transitional protections:

• You can extend your visa in the same role, even if it no longer meets RQF Level 6
• You can change employer in a role at the same level
• You can take on supplementary employment
• These protections are temporary and subject to review

However, if you leave the UK and apply for a new visa, you will need to meet the new RQF Level 6 requirement.

Impact on Employers

The RQF Level 6 change significantly affects employers in sectors that relied on sub-degree-level overseas recruitment:

• Hospitality, retail, and logistics have lost the ability to sponsor most roles
• Healthcare lost the care worker route entirely (July 2025)
• Construction trades can only sponsor through the Temporary Shortage List, which expires in December 2026

Combined with the 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge and the new salary compliance rules, the cost and complexity of sponsoring overseas workers has increased substantially. Employers are now more selective about which roles they sponsor, focusing on senior and specialist positions where the investment is justified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bachelor's degree to get a Skilled Worker visa?

Not necessarily. The RQF Level 6 requirement applies to the job, not the individual. If the role requires degree-level skills, it is eligible. Whether the employer requires a formal degree is their decision — relevant experience may be accepted.

What happens to TSL roles after December 2026?

Unless the Migration Advisory Committee recommends their continuation, roles on the Temporary Shortage List will lose sponsorship eligibility from 1 January 2027. The MAC is expected to publish its review in July 2026.

Can I bring my family if I am sponsored on a TSL role?

No. Workers sponsored under the Temporary Shortage List are not permitted to bring dependants. This is one of the key restrictions of TSL roles compared to standard Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Where can I find the full list of eligible occupations?

The definitive list is on GOV.UK. It is updated whenever the Immigration Rules change. You can also search for specific roles on Tarve, where every listed job is from a company with a verified sponsor licence.

Looking for RQF Level 6 sponsored jobs? Search 65,000+ verified visa sponsorship jobs on Tarve — all from employers with active Home Office sponsor licences.