RQF Level

In This Article

• What is an RQF Level?
• The RQF scale — Level 1 to 8
• RQF levels and visa eligibility
• How RQF levels are assigned to jobs
• The July 2025 uplift — from RQF 3 to RQF 6
• RQF level vs actual qualifications held
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Frequently asked questions
• Related terms

What is an RQF Level?

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is the classification system used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has the SCQF) to describe the level of challenge and complexity of qualifications and job roles. It replaces the older NQF (National Qualifications Framework) and QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework), which are now obsolete.

In the context of UK visa sponsorship, RQF levels are used to classify job roles — not the individual worker's qualifications. This is an important distinction: the role itself must be assessed as RQF-level eligible, regardless of what the worker personally holds.

The RQF Scale

Levels 6–8 are broadly "graduate level." Level 6 is a bachelor's degree equivalent.

RQF Levels and Visa Eligibility

For Skilled Worker visa purposes:

This means from 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker route returned to requiring graduate-level roles — removing hundreds of sub-degree occupations that had been eligible in the 2020–2025 window.

A small number of sub-degree (RQF 3–5) roles may remain eligible under the Temporary Shortage List under strict conditions.

How RQF Levels are Assigned to Jobs

The Home Office assigns RQF levels to SOC codes — not to individual job titles. The mapping is published in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Each SOC code is mapped to an RQF level based on the typical skill requirements for that occupational group. If a SOC code maps to RQF 6, then any job correctly classified under that code qualifies — regardless of whether the specific employer requires a degree or not.

Example mappings:

• SOC 2135 (IT Business Analysts) → RQF 6 ✅
• SOC 2136 (Software Developers) → RQF 6 ✅
• SOC 3545 (Sales/Business Development Managers) → RQF 6 ✅
• SOC 5434 (Chefs) → RQF 3 ❌ (no longer eligible from July 2025)
• SOC 6141 (Nursing auxiliaries) → RQF 2 ❌

The July 2025 Uplift — from RQF 3 to RQF 6

The restoration of the RQF 6 threshold in July 2025 was one of the most significant contractions of the Skilled Worker route since its introduction. Under the RQF 3–5 window (2020–2025), roles like:

• Most chefs and hospitality roles
• HGV drivers and logistics operatives
• Skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, some construction roles)
• Many care worker roles
• Some retail management roles

...were eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship. From July 2025, these were removed from eligibility (except under the Temporary Shortage List for a small subset).

Impact on employers: Sectors relying on RQF 3–5 sponsorship — particularly hospitality and food service — lost the ability to sponsor new workers in these roles from July 2025. Extension CoS for existing workers in pre-qualifying roles are handled under transitional provisions.

Impact on workers: Those already sponsored in RQF 3–5 roles can complete their current visa. At renewal, if the role's SOC code has been removed from the eligible list, they cannot extend in that role and must either find an eligible new role or leave.

RQF Level vs Actual Qualifications Held

The worker does not need to hold a degree-level qualification to work in a role mapped to RQF 6. The RQF level describes the job's complexity, not the worker's education.

A software developer without a formal degree can be sponsored on SOC 2136 (RQF 6) if they have the skills to do the job. The employer assesses competence — the Home Office assesses whether the SOC code is eligible and whether the job description matches it.

This is frequently misunderstood. Many skilled workers without formal degrees work legitimately in RQF 6 roles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the role's RQF level with the worker's qualifications. The RQF requirement applies to the job, not the individual.
• Using a pre-July 2025 reference for eligible roles. The list changed significantly — always check the current Appendix Skilled Occupations.
• Mislabelling a role to hit RQF 6. Using an inaccurate SOC code to claim a higher RQF level is misrepresentation — visa refusal and compliance consequences follow.
• Not reviewing existing sponsored workers' SOC codes. If a worker's current SOC code was removed from eligibility in July 2025, their renewal may fail unless their role genuinely maps to an eligible code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the employer need to require a degree for the role to be RQF 6?

No. The SOC code's RQF mapping is set by the Home Office based on the typical complexity of the occupation group — not the employer's individual hiring criteria. An employer can hire a non-graduate for an RQF 6 role legitimately.

What if my job is genuinely degree-level work but my SOC code is RQF 3?

This is a genuine gap in the system. The SOC code must reflect the actual job duties. If the work truly matches an RQF 6 SOC code (e.g., a business analyst, not a data entry operator), the employer should use the correct code. Using an inaccurate code to avoid or claim eligibility is misrepresentation.

Does the RQF 6 requirement affect my current visa?

If your visa was granted before July 2025 in an RQF 3–5 role, your current leave is unaffected. The new threshold applies to new CoS assignments from July 2025 onwards. At extension or change-of-employer, the new rules will apply.

Is RQF the same as NQF or QCF?

They are related — the NQF and QCF have been subsumed into the RQF. For immigration purposes, NQF and QCF references in older guidance map directly to the equivalent RQF level.

Related Terms

• SOC Code
• Skilled Worker Visa
• Points-Based Immigration System
• Certificate of Sponsorship

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