The Skilled Worker visa is a cornerstone of the UK’s immigration system, allowing businesses to hire international talent. Meeting the minimum salary threshold is one of the key requirements for securing this visa. This guide outlines the current salary requirements and how they apply to both employers and employees.
General Minimum Salary Threshold
The standard minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa applicants as of January 2025 is £38,700 per year. Additionally, the applicant’s salary must meet or exceed the relevant going rate for their occupation code.
However, this general threshold is flexible under the tradeable points system, which allows lower thresholds in specific scenarios.
Tradeable Points and Lower Thresholds
In certain circumstances, Skilled Worker visa applicants can benefit from reduced salary requirements under the “tradeable points” system or if their role is listed on the Immigration Salary List. These adjustments allow eligible workers to earn between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for their occupation, provided specific conditions are met.
For roles on the Immigration Salary List, which includes jobs deemed essential and in high demand, the minimum salary threshold is £30,960 annually. However, the offered salary must still meet the standard going rate for the role, and workers in these positions also benefit from reduced visa application fees.
Under the tradeable points system, the reduced threshold of £30,960 also applies to qualifying workers who meet one of the following criteria:
- They are a new entrant, such as being under 26 years old, a student, a recent graduate, or undergoing professional training.
- They hold a PhD in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) relevant to the role. For non-STEM fields, the threshold is lowered further to £26,100 if the qualification is relevant.
- They are employed in a postdoctoral position within higher education or scientific research.
New entrants specifically benefit from a reduced salary threshold of £30,960 and a lower rate than “other workers” in the same role. To qualify as a new entrant, the applicant must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be under 26 at the time of the application.
- Be sponsored for a postdoctoral position in specific scientific fields or higher education teaching roles.
- Be working towards a recognized professional qualification in a UK-regulated profession.
- Be working towards full registration or chartered status with a relevant professional body.
- Have most recently held permission under Tier 4 (General) or the Student route for a relevant UK qualification.
- Have most recently held permission under the Graduate route.
However, the new entrant status is limited to a maximum of 4 years. After this period, applicants wishing to remain in the UK must apply for further leave, but they will no longer qualify as a ‘new entrant’ under the Skilled Worker route and must meet the standard salary requirements. For full details, you can refer to the official guidance.
Here’s a full table with tradable points options:
Option | Requirements | Points |
| A | The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both: • £38,700 per year; and • The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £34,830 per year; and • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £30,960 per year; and • 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £30,960 per year; and • The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £30,960 per year; and • 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| F | The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both: • £29,000 per year; and • The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £26,100 per year; and • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £23,200 per year; and • 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £23,200 per year; and • The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £23,200 per year; and • 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. | 20 |
| K | The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both: • £23,200 per year; and • The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code | 20 |
Going Rate Requirement
The “going rate” refers to the market standard salary for specific occupations, as outlined in the Home Office Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations. For most applicants, their salary must meet both the general threshold and at least 100% of the going rate.
Key Details:
- If the going rate for an occupation is higher than the general threshold ( £38,700), the applicant’s salary must meet or exceed the going rate.
- If the applicant qualifies for a lower salary threshold (e.g., a new entrant or a PhD role), their salary must meet the adjusted percentage of the going rate (e.g., 70%, 80%, or 90%).
Salary Calculation Rules
To ensure compliance, employers must calculate salaries accurately based on Home Office guidelines:
1. Included in Salary Calculations:
- Base salary (as stated in the employment contract).
2. Excluded from Salary Calculations:
- Overtime and discretionary bonuses
- Guaranteed (e.g., London weighting, if contractually agreed) and non-guaranteed (e.g., relocation or travel expenses) allowances
- Benefits in kind (e.g., housing, travel expenses, meal vouchers)
3. Prorated Salaries:
- For part-time roles, the salary must be prorated to ensure it meets the equivalent hourly rate based on the 37.5-hour workweek
Skilled Worker to ILR Minimum Salary Requirements
Individuals who have been on the Skilled Worker visa route for five years may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify, applicants must satisfy several key requirements, including:
- Meeting the Salary Threshold: Applicants must meet the ILR minimum salary threshold or the standard going rate for their role, whichever is higher.
- Providing Proof of Identity: A valid passport, biometric residence permit, or biometric residence card is required as proof of identity. Applicants may also need to provide a digital facial photograph and fingerprints if they do not already possess a valid biometric residence card.
- Demonstrating Continuous Residence: Applicants must prove they have continuously lived in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man for at least six months in every 12-month period over five consecutive years.
- Disclosing Criminal Convictions: For applicants aged 18 or over, any unspent criminal convictions must be declared. However, spent convictions, cautions, or fines do not need to be disclosed.
Compliance Matters for Employers
Employers play a crucial role in ensuring salary thresholds are met. Key responsibilities include:
- Verifying that job offers meet the applicable salary and going rate requirements
- Accurately calculating prorated salaries for part-time roles
- Keeping detailed records to demonstrate compliance during potential Home Office audits
Recent Updates: Salary Adjustments for Sponsored Roles
On 8 October 2024, the Home Office announced salary adjustments for certain occupation codes under the Skilled Worker, Scale-Up, and Global Business Mobility visa routes. These changes apply to new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) issued on or after that date.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Salary Reductions
Some occupation codes have seen salary thresholds lowered, making it easier for employers to sponsor skilled workers. These reductions were initially introduced in July 2024 and are now formally part of the Immigration Rules.
Occupation Codes with Salary Reductions:
- 2112 Biological Scientists:
- Standard going rate: £41,900
- Corrected standard going rate: £38,000
- Standard going rate: £41,900
- 3413 Actors, Entertainers, and Presenters:
- Standard going rate: £32,900
- Corrected standard going rate: £30,960
- Standard going rate: £32,900
- 8232 Marine and Waterways Transport Operatives:
- Standard going rate: £53,200
- Corrected standard going rate: £33,600
- Standard going rate: £53,200
- 3512 Ship and Hovercraft Officers:
- Standard going rate: £66,300
- Corrected standard going rate: £50,200
- Standard going rate: £66,300
For employers, these reductions offer a new opportunity to sponsor skilled workers at a lower cost. If you have employees in these occupations, it’s important to ensure that their salaries meet the corrected rates.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the general going rate for sponsored workers remains £38,700. These reductions primarily apply to employees whose salaries were initially above this threshold. Even with the reductions, their adjusted pay must not fall below £38,700 per year.
The key advantage for sponsors following these salary adjustments is the ability to regulate the number of weekly working hours – you can now increase or reduce them as needed.
2. Salary Increases
While some roles have seen reductions, other occupation codes now require higher salaries for sponsorship. These increases are applicable for any new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned on or after 8 October 2024.
Occupation Codes with Salary Increases:
- 1171 Health Services and Public Health Managers and Directors:
- Standard going rate: £43,900
- Corrected standard going rate: £50,500
- Standard going rate: £43,900
- 1232 Residential, Day, and Domiciliary Care Managers and Proprietors:
- Standard going rate: £36,400
- Corrected standard going rate: £40,900
- Standard going rate: £36,400
- 2494 Advertising Accounts Managers and Creative Directors:
- Standard going rate: £40,000
- Corrected standard going rate: £43,700
- Standard going rate: £40,000
- 5214 Pipe Fitters:
- Standard going rate: £31,200
- Corrected standard going rate: £38,500
- Standard going rate: £31,200
Immediate Steps for Sponsors
To ensure compliance with the new salary requirements, we recommend sponsors take the following steps:
1. Review Current Sponsored Employees
Identify any workers under the affected occupation codes and verify their salaries against the new corrected rates. If their pay is below the corrected rate, consider whether adjustments will be needed before their next extension or settlement application.
2. Evaluate New Hires
For any new hires, ensure that new CoS issued on or after 8 October 2024 meet the updated salary thresholds. Failure to meet these salary requirements could result in a rejected visa application.
3. Plan for Future Extensions and Settlements
If your employees are under roles with increased salaries, you do not need to adjust their current pay if the CoS was issued before 8 October 2024. However, be aware that when these workers apply for extensions or settlements in the future, their salaries must meet the revised rates. We recommend early planning to ensure a smooth transition.
4. Revisit Sponsorship Decisions
With the salary reductions, you might want to reconsider past decisions where roles were deemed too expensive to sponsor. The corrected rates may now allow sponsorship for workers previously ineligible due to high salary thresholds. For example, if you previously decided not to sponsor a web designer because the required salary was £35,800, you might find that, with the new lower rate of £29,000, sponsorship is now a feasible option.
How Nation.better Can Help You
Navigating the Skilled Worker Visa process can be complex for both employers and candidates. Nation.better is here to make it easier for you. Whether you're an employer looking to sponsor international talent and secure a visa for your candidates or an individual seeking to work in the UK, our team of immigration experts will guide you through the entire process, ensuring all Home Office requirements are met.
By choosing Nation.better, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that we handle the complexities – allowing employers to attract top talent and helping candidates secure their future in the UK.
Get started today: fill in our form, and we’ll provide personalised support for a smooth and successful Skilled Worker Visa application.