Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirement Checker
From 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas increased to £38,700/year. New entrants in shortage occupations and certain roles have lower thresholds. Your salary must also meet the going rate for your specific occupation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold in 2024/2025?
From 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold increased to £38,700/year (up from £26,200). New entrants and those in shortage occupations have lower thresholds of £30,960. The salary must also meet the 'going rate' for the specific occupation.
What is the 'going rate' for a job?
The going rate is the minimum salary for a specific occupation code (SOC code), set by the Home Office in Appendix Skilled Worker. It is based on median UK earnings for that occupation. The salary must meet whichever is higher — the general threshold or the going rate.
Are there any exceptions to the £38,700 threshold?
Yes: new entrants (under 26, switching from student visa, or postdoctoral researchers) pay £30,960; shortage occupations have a going rate × 80% threshold; Health and Care Worker route has specific lower rates; intra-company trainees pay £24,220.
Does the salary threshold apply to part-time workers?
Yes, but pro-rated. A part-time worker doing 20 hours/week (vs 37.5 standard) would need only 20/37.5 × £38,700 = £20,640. The minimum hours to qualify is typically 20 hours/week.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The IHS must be paid upfront for the full visa period. From January 2024, the rate is £1,035/year for adults (£776 for students and under-18s). For a 5-year skilled worker visa, that's £5,175 upfront, on top of the visa application fee.
Can I include allowances in the salary threshold?
Yes, but with restrictions. Non-guaranteed allowances (commission, overtime) cannot count. Some guaranteed allowances can be included if they are guaranteed and contractual. Pension contributions by the employer cannot count.
What happened to the shortage occupation list?
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) from April 2024. The ISL provides a 20% discount on the going rate for listed roles, but the 20% discount on the general threshold was removed.
What is the Health and Care Worker route?
The Health and Care Worker route has lower salary thresholds than the standard Skilled Worker route. Eligible roles include NHS clinical staff, social care workers, and certain other health professions. The salary requirements align with NHS pay scales.
Can a sponsor reduce salary to meet a budget?
No. Sponsors must pay the higher of the applicable salary threshold or the going rate for the occupation. Paying less than required results in visa refusal and sponsorship licence consequences.
What is the Skilled Worker visa application fee?
Application fees (as of 2026): £610 for up to 3 years (overseas), £719 for over 3 years; £827 for Health and Care or £484 online. These fees are separate from the IHS (£1,035/year) which must also be paid in full upfront.
Can self-employed people sponsor themselves on a Skilled Worker visa?
Generally no. Skilled Worker visas require a licensed employer sponsor. Self-employed directors of their own company can be sponsored by their own company, but the company must obtain a sponsor licence and meet all sponsor duties.
What is the points-based system for Skilled Worker visas?
Skilled Worker applicants need 70 points. Mandatory points: job offer (20 points), approved sponsor (20 points), meeting English language requirement (10 points), and minimum salary (20 points). Additional points can come from shortage occupation or PhD qualification.