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Key Take aways for Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold
- The £41,700 minimum salary and higher going‑rate requirements have permanently shifted Skilled Worker sponsorship towards higher‑paid, RQF 6+ roles, making many lower‑salary roles unsponsorable.
- Total employer cost per sponsored worker has risen sharply (often £18,000–£20,000 extra per year once NI and pensions are included), forcing HR and finance to rethink salary bands and headcount planning.
- Discounts for new entrants, PhD roles, ISL roles, and Health & Care visas still exist but are narrower and riskier to misapply, so accurate SOC coding and real‑time salary compliance monitoring are now critical.
- Employers that integrate the new thresholds into long‑term workforce planning using tools like Graduate visas, stronger retention strategies, and premium relocation/benefits will remain competitive in attracting international talent despite tighter rules
The UK Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold is currently £41,700 per year or 100% of the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. This applies to most Skilled Worker applications from July 2025 onwards.
For HR teams and hiring managers, this guide covers:
- The current threshold and how it's calculated
- Reduced thresholds for new entrants, PhD holders, and ISL roles
- The going rate test and how it interacts with the general minimum
- What UK skilled workers must be paid each pay period to stay compliant
- Total employer cost breakdown, including NI and pension
Salary threshold tiers and exceptions (2026 view)
While £41,700 is now the anchor for most Skilled Worker cases, several important reduced thresholds and exceptions remain in place in 2026, depending on the role, qualifications, and route.
- PhD holders
For certain roles where a relevant PhD is demonstrably linked to the job, a reduced minimum can apply, currently £37,500 for a PhD in a relevant subject, with lower thresholds in some STEM/shortage scenarios where permitted by the rules. - Part‑time and pro‑rated salaries
Part‑time roles can be sponsored if the total annual salary is pro‑rated from a full‑time equivalent that meets the general and going‑rate thresholds, and the hourly pay still meets or exceeds the applicable minimum (for many roles, £17.13 per hour). - New entrants and Immigration Salary List roles
New entrants and certain roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) benefit from lower thresholds, with some categories set at £33,400 where the role, age, and career stage criteria are met. These discounts are more tightly controlled in 2026, so accurate SOC coding and eligibility checks are critical before relying on them. - Health and Care visa roles
Health and Care Worker Visa roles follow separate salary structures. See our Health and Care Visa guide.
What Must UK Skilled Workers Be Paid Each Pay Period?
The Home Office requires that sponsored workers are paid the required salary in each individual pay period, not just on an annualised average. This is a critical compliance point that catches employers out.
In practice this means:
| Pay Frequency | Minimum Gross Pay per Period (at £41,700/year) |
|---|---|
| Monthly | £3,475 |
| Fortnightly | £1,604 |
| Weekly | £802 |
If a sponsored worker receives less than the required amount in any single pay period even due to unpaid leave, deductions, or late payment, the employer is in breach of sponsor duties. UKVI can audit payroll records going back four years.
What counts towards the salary threshold:
- Basic salary ✓
- Guaranteed allowances (e.g. London weighting) ✓
What does not count:
- Overtime (unless guaranteed in the contract) ✗
- Bonuses (unless guaranteed) ✗
- Benefits in kind ✗
- Expenses reimbursements ✗
UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds at a Glance (2026)
| Applicant Type | Minimum Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Skilled Worker (RQF 6+) | £41,700 | Or going rate — whichever is higher |
| New Entrant (under 26 / recent graduate) | £33,400 | Strict eligibility criteria apply |
| PhD Holder (relevant subject) | £37,500 | Must be demonstrably linked to the role |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) Role | £33,400 | Role must be on the current ISL |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | From £31,300 | Subject to NHS pay scales |
| Part-Time Role | Pro-rated from above | Hourly rate must be at least £17.13 |
Need this information for later? Download now.
Forecast every UK Skilled Worker visa renewal cost with the UK Visa Sponsorship Extension Cost Tracker to budget CoS, ISC, IHS, and extension fees through to ILR eligibility.
Beyond the base: how thresholds really work now
The £41,700 figure is only one half of the equation; in 2026, sponsors must still pay whichever is higher of:
- The absolute minimum: £41,700 for standard Skilled Worker cases
- The occupation‑specific minimum: the going rate for the SOC code, usually expressed as an annual salary and an hourly rate
Proposals would tie settlement speed to sustained earnings of £50,270 or £125,140, assessed separately from the thresholds above. Our guide to the earned settlement salary tiers explains why an employee can clear one and fail the other.
Budget Planning Matrix
The salary threshold increase alone adds £18,000–£35,000 a year in employer cost per sponsored worker, depending on senioritybefore licence fees, the Immigration Skills Charge, or the Immigration Health Surcharge are added.
| Role Category | Previous Minimum Salary | New Typical Minimum Salary | Annual Cost Increase from Salary Rules Alone* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Professional | £26,200 | £41,700 | £18,000–£20,000 |
| Mid-Level Technical | £26,200 | £50,000+ | £26,000–£28,000 |
| Senior Specialist | £26,200 | £56,000+ | £32,000–£35,000 |
*Illustrative estimates showing the increase in salary costs resulting solely from higher minimum salary thresholds. Actual costs vary depending on the occupation, applicable going rate, and individual remuneration package.
This covers the salary-driven increase only. For the full employer cost breakdown sponsor licence, CoS, Immigration Skills Charge, and visa/IHS costs, see our UK Skilled Worker Visa requirements guide.
Salary Threshold Lookup by SOC Code
Find the going rate and minimum salary your sponsored worker must earn, based on their Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) code.
| Salary Option | 2026 Requirement | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Minimum (Option A) | £41,700 (or the occupation's going rate, if higher) | The salary must meet both the general salary threshold and the applicable going rate for the relevant SOC code. |
| New Entrant / Immigration Salary List (Option E) | £33,400 + at least 70% of the occupation's going rate | Available only where the applicant qualifies under the New Entrant or Immigration Salary List rules and all eligibility criteria are met. |
| Health and Care Standard (Option F) | £31,300 + 100% of the occupation's going rate | Applies to eligible Health and Care Worker roles meeting the route-specific salary requirements. |
| Hourly Pay Floor (Table 1) | £17.13 per hour | Salary calculations generally assume a maximum working pattern of 48 hours per week when assessing compliance with Skilled Worker salary rules. |
| SOC 2020 | Job Role | Sector | Going Rate (Standard) | New Entrant (70%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2134 |
Software Developer / Programmer / DevOps Engineer | Tech | £49,400 (£25.33/hr) | £34,580 |
2133 |
IT Business Analyst / Systems Designer | Tech | £47,500 (£24.36/hr) | £33,250 |
2135 |
IT Project / Programme Manager | Tech | £52,000 (£26.67/hr) | £36,400 |
2136 |
Cyber Security Analyst / Penetration Tester | Tech | £49,000 (£25.13/hr) | £34,300 |
2431 |
Architect (Buildings / Urban Design) | Tech | £43,900 (£22.51/hr) | £30,730 |
2211 |
Medical Practitioner (Hospital Doctor) | Health | £49,923 (pay scale) | £34,946 |
2213 |
Pharmacist | Health | £46,148 (£23.66/hr) | £32,304 |
2231 |
Registered Nurse ISL | Health | £31,049 (Band 5 AfC) | £25,000 min |
2217 |
Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist ISL | Health | £37,338 (Band 6 AfC) | £26,137 |
2215 |
Paramedic | Health | £35,392 (Band 5/6 AfC) | £24,774 |
2421 |
Chartered / Certified Accountant | Finance | £44,300 (£22.72/hr) | £31,010 |
2422 |
Tax Adviser / Inspector | Finance | £44,200 (£22.67/hr) | £30,940 |
2424 |
Management Consultant | Finance | £51,000 (£26.15/hr) | £35,700 |
2413 |
Financial / Investment Analyst | Finance | £52,500 (£26.92/hr) | £36,750 |
1131 |
Financial Manager / Director | Finance | £60,500 (£31.03/hr) | £42,350 |
2121 |
Civil / Structural Engineer | Engineering | £42,500 (£21.79/hr) | £29,750 |
2122 |
Mechanical Engineer ISL | Engineering | £40,800 (£20.92/hr) | £28,560 |
2123 |
Electrical / Electronics Engineer ISL | Engineering | £41,700 (£21.38/hr) | £29,190 |
2126 |
Design & Development Engineer | Engineering | £42,000 (£21.54/hr) | £29,400 |
2461 |
Data Scientist / Data Engineer | Engineering | £50,000 (£25.64/hr) | £35,000 |
2411 |
Solicitor / Barrister | Legal | £52,000 (£26.67/hr) | £36,400 |
2412 |
Legal Professional (Paralegal / Legal Exec) | Legal | £41,700 (£21.38/hr) | £29,190 |
2311 |
Higher Education Teaching Professional | Education | £43,414 (HE pay scale) | £30,390 |
2314 |
Secondary School Teacher ISL | Education | £31,650 (MPS/UPS scale) | £25,000 min |
1135 |
HR Manager / Director | HR/Ops | £44,100 (£22.62/hr) | £30,870 |
2443 |
HR / Recruitment Professional | HR/Ops | £41,700 (£21.38/hr) | £29,190 |
1132 |
Marketing / Sales Director | HR/Ops | £59,300 (£30.41/hr) | £41,510 |
2441 |
Economist / Statistician | HR/Ops | £47,000 (£24.10/hr) | £32,900 |
⚠️ Going rates are illustrative based on the 22 July 2025 update (2024 ASHE data). Hourly rates based on a 37.5-hour week. Health roles follow NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay bands. Always verify the latest rates in GOV.UK Appendix Skilled Occupations before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. ISL = on the Immigration Salary List (£33,400 general threshold applies until ISL is abolished).
Disclaimer: Immigration rules change quite frequently; please verify with official sources or contact us for the latest info before making any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds 2026
What if I can’t meet the Skilled Worker salary threshold?
Employers may still qualify through reduced salary routes such as the New Entrant discount, PhD-related reductions, Immigration Salary List roles, or Health & Care Worker rules. However, the role must still meet the required percentage of the occupation’s going rate.
Do salary increases count toward Skilled Worker compliance?
Yes. Salary increases apply from the effective date, but employers must meet the minimum salary requirement during every pay period. Underpayments can create sponsor compliance risks.
How is the Skilled Worker going rate calculated?
Going rates are based on ONS salary data for each SOC occupation code and are updated annually by the Home Office. Employers must pay whichever is higher: the general threshold or the occupation’s going rate.
Can bonuses or allowances count toward the salary threshold?
No. Only guaranteed gross basic pay counts toward Skilled Worker salary requirements. Bonuses, overtime, allowances, expenses, and pension contributions are excluded.
Do the salary rules apply to part-time sponsored workers?
The occupation’s going rate can be pro-rated for part-time hours, but the general minimum salary threshold cannot. Employers must still meet the required annual salary floor.
What happens if the wrong SOC code is used?
Using the wrong SOC code can lead to visa refusals, sponsor licence penalties, or Home Office compliance checks. Employers should match the code to the role’s actual duties, not just the job title.
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