Sweeping changes to UK immigration rules will bar new overseas dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental technicians from working in the UK via the skilled worker visa route.
From 22 July 2025, only existing visa holders with continuous skilled worker status may continue or extend their visas, according to the updated Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Statement of Changes in Immigrations Rules.
The changes to immigration rules were laid out in parliament and published on 1 July 2025. The document covers wide ranging changes to other visas, including skills and salary threshold increases, the end of overseas recruitment for care workers and more than 100 occupations no longer having access to the immigration system.
How is dentistry impacted?
A number of roles currently eligible under the health and care visa have been removed due to not meeting the skills threshold, and are not on either on the immigration salary list (ISL) or temporary shortage list (TSL). These include dental hygienists, dental technicians and dental nurses – meaning that no new individuals applying under these roles can access the skilled worker visa route after 22 July 2025.
Only those already granted skilled worker status before 22 July 2025 and have continuous permission under the same code will be eligible.
Dentists are not affected by the changes. The changes may affect dental therapists under SOC code 3213, the classification recommended by the Home Office for dental hygienists and therapists. However, some dental therapists may be eligible for sponsorship under SOC code 2259 which will continue beyond 22 July.
Immigration salary list (ISL)
The UK ISL is a list that sets out the minimum salary thresholds required for roles that qualify for the skilled worker visa or health and care worker visa.
Temporary shortage list (ITL)
The TSL was created to address current labour shortages in specific occupations – particularly those below the RQF Level 6 (sub-degree level).
It is designed to provide time-limited access to the skilled worker route, but only where there is clear evidence of persistent shortages and a commitment to reducing reliance on overseas workers.
NHS Employers, the employers’ organisation for the NHS in England, wrote that the changes mark a ‘fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration’.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years. These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.
‘As part of the Plan for Change, we can build an immigration system that serves the needs of the British economy and people – one that values skills, tackles exploitation and ensures those who come to the UK make a genuine contribution.’
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