Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds (2026)

The headline salary rule

For an estimate using your exact SOC code and weekly hours, use the Skilled Worker salary calculator.

For most Skilled Worker applications you must be paid at least the higher of:

• the standard general salary threshold of £41,700 per year, and
• the going rate for your specific occupation (SOC code).

If the going rate for your SOC code is higher than the general threshold, the going rate wins.

New entrant and discount scenarios

Some applicants qualify for a reduced general threshold starting at £33,400, including defined new-entrant, relevant PhD and Immigration Salary List scenarios. Each option has its own percentage of the going rate and conditions. Health and Care roles can use separate national-pay-scale or occupation tables, while transitional rules may protect some earlier applicants.

How to calculate the minimum

1. Identify the correct SOC code from the duties, not merely the job title.
2. Find its current going rate and confirm the weekly hours used by the official table.
3. Identify the salary option you lawfully qualify for: standard, new entrant, relevant PhD, ISL, Health and Care or a transition rule.
4. Compare the general floor for that option with its required percentage of the going rate. The higher result is the minimum.

Worked standard example: if the general floor is £41,700 and the occupation's going rate is £43,000, an offer of £42,500 fails because the going rate is higher. An offer of £44,000 clears both figures, assuming the hours and occupation code are correct.

Worked reduced-rate example: a £34,000 offer is not automatically eligible because it exceeds £33,400. The applicant must qualify for that salary option and the offer must also meet the required percentage of the occupation's going rate.

Which salary option applies?

Options A–E use the general salary tables: A is the standard £41,700 floor; B uses £37,500 for a qualifying relevant PhD; C, D and E use £33,400 for the qualifying STEM PhD, ISL and New Entrant pathways. Each also requires the applicable published going rate. PhD points are available only where the occupation table permits them; ISL treatment depends on the listed job and nation.

Options F–J have different floors for specified Health and Care ASHE jobs and qualifying continuous permission under the pre-4 April 2024 rules, with that transition requiring an application before 4 April 2030. Option K requires the applicable national pay scale and £25,000 annual floor. Check SW 4.2 and the option table.

Hours, New Entrant and earlier permission

The annual floor is not reduced for part-time work. ASHE going rates are adjusted from a 37.5-hour week using all weekly hours. More than 48 hours and uneven working patterns need a separate check under SW 14.

New Entrant is not automatic for every graduate. You must meet SW 12.2, and the grant cannot take combined Graduate, Skilled Worker and Tier 2 permission beyond four years, whether continuous or not. Earlier permission may protect an occupation route, but an April 2025 grant does not automatically preserve the old £38,700 floor for a later application. Check SW 12.1–12.3.

Health and Care Worker salaries

Eligible Health and Care roles often follow different pay tables (for example NHS Agenda for Change bands). See our Health & Care Worker visa sponsors guide and always confirm the role-specific figure on GOV.UK.

What your Certificate of Sponsorship must show

Your CoS should state the job title, SOC code, salary, and start date. If the salary on the CoS is below the required threshold for that occupation, the visa can be refused even if the employer is licensed.

Practical checklist before you accept an offer

1. Confirm the employer is on the licensed register via FindMySponsor.
2. Ask for the SOC code and compare the going rate on GOV.UK.
3. Check whether you are claiming a new-entrant or Health & Care discount correctly.
4. Budget for visa fees and (where applicable) the Immigration Health Surcharge — see also how to get sponsored in the UK.

Related FindMySponsor pages

• Skilled Worker sponsors
• Eligibility guide
• SOC eligibility checker
• Exact sponsor licence checker