The minimum skill level is RQF Level 3 (roles broadly deemed to be at A level), reduced from RQF Level 6 that applied to the Tier 2 (General) category. This significantly increases the number of roles that will potentially be eligible for sponsorship. By way of example, RQF Level 3 includes hotel managers, leisure and sports managers, shopkeepers and proprietors, laboratory technicians, electrical and electronics technicians, draughtspersons, youth and community workers, housing officers, counsellors, police officers, graphic designers, fitness instructors, legal associate professionals, business sales executives, sheet metal workers, IT engineers, roofers, plumbers, butchers, and veterinary nurses.
All eligible occupation codes (ie, those at RQF Level 3 and above) are listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules. This Appendix also contains details of the ‘going rate’ salaries, including the 70%, 80% and 90% thresholds.