Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary

Before applying for a Skilled Worker visa, it’s important to understand the minimum salary requirement. With the recent changes in 2024, the salary threshold has been raised for most applicants. However, there are still exceptions that make the UK a great opportunity for many skilled professionals.

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including a job offer from a licensed UK employer and a minimum salary.

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa has increased to £38,700 gross per year (£15.88/hour), up from the previous threshold of £26,200.

Whether you're an employer looking to sponsor skilled worker or an individual applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa, our immigration solicitors can help guide you through the entire process.

Consult an immigration solicitor to avoid Skilled Worker visa refusal. Incorrect salary calculations or choosing the wrong occupation code for a Skilled Worker visa could lead to visa rejection or sponsor licence suspension.

Table of Contents

What's the Minimum Salary for a Skilled Worker Visa?

As of 4 April 2024, the standard salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is £38,700 gross per year (or £15.88 per hour). This is a major increase from the previous threshold of £26,200.

Depending on the applicant's job role and circumstances, lower salary thresholds may apply, especially for health and care roles, new graduates, and jobs on the Immigration Salary List.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Note: These salary thresholds are based on a 37.5-hour working week. If a job involves different hours, the salary must be prorated accordingly.

Has the Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold Changed Recently?

Yes, the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa has recently gone up. As of April 2024, the minimum salary requirement was raised from £26,200 to £38,700 per year. This change is part of a broader update to the UK's immigration rules, which are designed to manage migration levels more effectively.

So, if you're applying for a Skilled Worker visa now, you'll need to meet this new, higher salary threshold unless certain exemptions or "tradeable points" apply to your situation.

How Is the Salary Calculated for the Skilled Worker Visa Applications?

When calculating the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa, it's important to be precise. Here's what goes into the calculation:

• Basic Salary: The agreed base salary in the contract
• Guaranteed Bonuses: These can be counted if they're contractual
• Regular Overtime: Only if it's guaranteed and part of the employment terms
• Exclusions: Discretionary bonuses, one-off payments, and most allowances (e.g. accommodation or travel) typically don't count

Always ensure the final figure meets both the general salary threshold and the going rate for the specific occupation code.

Your Basic Salary

Your gross salary is the yearly amount paid to you before any deductions like tax or National Insurance. To be eligible, your salary must meet the minimum threshold or the standard pay for your specific job role (whichever is higher).

As of April 2024, most applicants need to earn at least £38,700 per year, unless a discount applies.

Working Hours Matter

The Home Office assumes a 37.5-hour work week when calculating salaries. If your job involves more or fewer hours, your salary needs to be adjusted (prorated) so that it still meets the minimum hourly rate.

So, if you're working part-time or longer hours, your salary must be calculated to match the required hourly rate.

Bonuses and Overtime: What's Included in Your Pay?

Not everything you earn can be included in the visa salary:

• Guaranteed bonuses (written into your contract) can count.
• Performance-based or one-off bonuses usually don't.
• Guaranteed overtime can be included.
• Optional or casual overtime is generally not accepted.

Allowances and Perks

Many jobs come with extra perks, like accommodation, travel, or food allowances. Unfortunately, most of these can't be included in your salary for visa purposes unless they're a fixed part of your pay.

Commission Payments

If you earn commission, only the guaranteed or fixed part of it can be counted. Anything that depends on sales or performance targets isn't considered.

Choosing the Right Occupation Code

To qualify under the Skilled Worker route, the job must appear on the official list of eligible occupations. This list sets the:

• Required skill level
• Going rate (market salary)
• Salary discounts for new entrants

Choosing the correct SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is important. The Home Office updated the skilled worker visa eligible occupations and codes list in April 2024 to align with the new classification system, so double-check that you're using the latest version.

If the wrong occupation or code is selected for the Skilled Worker visa, your application might be refused, and it could even get the sponsor's licence suspended.

When Do Lower Salary Thresholds Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa?

Some applicants can benefit from reduced salary thresholds under the “tradeable points” system. You may qualify for a lower salary if you meet any of these:

• You're under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training (New Entrant)
• You have a relevant STEM PhD – £30,960 threshold
• You have a PhD in another field – £26,100 threshold
• You're applying for a job on the Immigration Salary List

In all these cases, you can be paid between 70% and 90% of the going rate, as long as you meet the minimum salary requirements.

New Entrants (Under 26, Recent Graduates, or in Professional Training)

If you're under 26 years old, a recent graduate, or still in professional training, you may be eligible for a lower salary threshold. Known as “new entrants,” these applicants can be paid less than the standard salary and still meet the Skilled Worker visa requirements.

The salary threshold for new entrants is £30,960 annually, offering a little more breathing room for young professionals starting their careers.

STEM PhD Holders

If you have a PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, you're eligible for an even lower salary threshold.

For these roles, the minimum salary requirement is set at £30,960 per year. This lower threshold is designed to attract highly skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.

PhD in Any Other Field

Even if your PhD is not in STEM, you still benefit from a lower threshold. If you hold a relevant PhD in another subject, the minimum salary requirement is reduced to £26,100 annually. This helps bring in highly educated individuals from various fields who can contribute to the UK economy.

Applying for a Job on the Immigration Salary List

Some jobs are included in the Immigration Salary List, which specifies occupations that have a shortage of workers in the UK.

If you're applying for one of these roles, you may qualify for a reduced salary threshold. These positions usually have lower salary requirements to make it easier for employers to fill vacancies in these high-demand sectors.

How the Tradeable Points System Works

For all these cases, the salary can be between 70% to 90% of the going rate for the job, as long as you still meet the minimum salary required. This allows flexibility for individuals in specific situations, ensuring the UK can attract the talent it needs while giving applicants a fair opportunity to qualify.

What About Health and Care Workers?

If you're applying under the Health and Care Worker visa, you'll benefit from a lower threshold of £29,000, provided the job is eligible.

You must still meet the going rate for your specific healthcare role, listed in Tables 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Who qualifies as a 'new entrant'?

New entrants are workers at the start of their careers, and they get some flexibility on salary requirements. You're classed as a new entrant if you are:

• Under 26 years old
• Recently graduated or switching from a student visa
• Working toward professional qualifications
• Sponsored in a postdoctoral research role

Important: This lower threshold only applies for up to three years. After that, you'll need to meet the full salary requirements to extend or apply for ILR.

What if my job isn't on the Immigration Salary List?

If your job isn't on the immigration salary list and you don't qualify for any exceptions, you'll need to meet the standard salary threshold: £38,700, or the full going rate for your specific job (if it's higher).

There's little flexibility outside the exceptions, so it's vital to check carefully before applying.

Need Help with Your UK Skilled Worker Visa Application

At Wembley Solicitors, we specialise in UK immigration and sponsor licence compliance. Whether you're an employer trying to navigate the latest salary rules or a worker unsure if you qualify, we can guide you through every step.

If you need help with your UK Skilled Worker visa, please contact our immigration solicitor at 0203 417 3700 or via email at info@wembleysolicitors.com.