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Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visa UK
10 min read
Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visa UK: 2025–2026 Rules Explained
By SkilledJobs Editorial · Published 8 September 2026 · Last verified
Understanding the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa UK applications is essential for both employers and foreign nationals planning to work in Britain. The UK government has implemented significant changes to these thresholds as part of ongoing immigration policy reforms, with the most recent increase taking effect in July 2025. This guide explains the current salary requirements, exemptions, and how they apply to different job roles and circumstances. uk immigration salary listskilled worker going rates ukuk skilled worker visa overview
What Is the Current Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold?
The general minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas increased from £38,700 to £41,700 on 22 July 2025. This represents a seven per cent increase and applies to most applicants seeking sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
However, the salary you must be paid is whichever is higher of:
The going rate for your specific occupation code (SOC code)
The going rate is the minimum annual salary set by the government for each eligible occupation. Going rates vary widely depending on the job. For example, a graphic designer (SOC 2135) has a going rate of £31,300, whilst a software engineer (SOC 2136) has a going rate of £42,400, according to the official GOV.UK going rates table.
Last verified against official UK government sources.
Because you must meet the higher of the two figures, a software engineer would need to be paid at least £42,400 (the going rate), not £41,700.
Skill Level Requirement: RQF Level 6
Alongside the salary threshold, the job must now be at RQF level 6 or above to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. This change took effect on 22 July 2025, raising the skill bar from the previous RQF level 3.
RQF level 6 corresponds to degree-level qualifications (bachelor's degree standard) in the UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework. Jobs below this level—previously eligible at RQF 3, 4, or 5—are now excluded unless they appear on the Immigration Salary List or the new Temporary Shortage List.
When You Can Be Paid Less: Immigration Salary List and Other Exemptions
Certain applicants may qualify for a lower salary threshold if they meet specific criteria. The Immigration Salary List (ISL) provides a reduced threshold of £33,400 per year for shortage occupations, new entrants, and other specified roles.
Immigration Salary List Threshold
If your job is on the ISL, you must be paid at least £33,400 per year or 80 per cent of the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher. This discount recognises labour shortages in specific sectors.
The ISL is being replaced by the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which will provide time-limited access to the immigration system for RQF 3–5 "mid-skilled" occupations where long-term shortages have been identified, according to the Review of Salary Requirements.
New Entrants
New entrants—such as recent graduates, those under 26, or individuals switching from a Student visa—can also qualify for the £33,400 threshold, provided their salary is at least 70 per cent of the going rate for their occupation.
Other Discounts
Additional salary discounts apply in specific circumstances:
Healthcare or education SOC codes: You may qualify for the £33,400 threshold if your job is in health or education and meets the criteria.
STEM postgraduate qualification in the UK: Applicants with a UK PhD in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics subject related to the job may qualify for a discount, as outlined on GOV.UK.
Absolute Minimum Salary Floor
Regardless of any discounts or exemptions, no Skilled Worker may be paid less than £25,000 per year. This absolute minimum salary floor increased from £23,200 to £25,000 on 9 April 2025, applying to all Skilled Workers, including those on the Health & Care visa route.
The Review of Salary Requirements confirmed this change ensures that even discounted salaries remain above a baseline level.
How Salary Is Calculated
Your salary for visa purposes is your gross annual income before tax. It includes:
Basic salary (guaranteed income)
Allowances that are guaranteed (such as London weighting, if stated in the contract)
It does not include:
Bonuses
Overtime pay
Employer pension contributions
Benefits in kind (e.g. accommodation, company car)
The salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has increased substantially in recent years as part of the government's strategy to reduce migration and focus on higher-skilled workers.
Timeline of Changes
Date
General Threshold
Absolute Minimum
Source
Before April 2024
£26,200
£20,480 (based on 39-hour week at National Living Wage)
Every eligible job under the Skilled Worker visa is assigned a Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) code. The official going rates table lists the minimum salary for each SOC code.
Your employer must assign the correct SOC code when they sponsor you. If the job's going rate is above £41,700, that higher figure applies. If the going rate is below £41,700, you must still be paid at least £41,700 (unless you qualify for the ISL or new-entrant discount).
What Happens If Your Salary Falls Below the Threshold?
If your actual salary drops below the required threshold—either the general threshold, going rate, or discounted threshold that applied when your visa was granted—you and your employer may face consequences.
Sponsor Compliance
Employers (sponsors) have a legal duty to report any changes in your circumstances to the Home Office, including salary reductions. Failure to do so can result in the sponsor losing their licence, as outlined in the Home Office Skilled Worker guidance.
Impact on Your Visa
If your salary falls below the applicable threshold and your sponsor reports this, the Home Office may curtail (shorten) your visa. You could be required to leave the UK unless you find a new sponsor who can meet the salary requirement.
Transition Arrangements and Future Increases
The Spring 2025 Immigration Rules Impact Assessment does not specify further scheduled threshold increases beyond 22 July 2025. However, the government has reserved the right to review and adjust thresholds periodically based on labour market conditions and migration policy objectives.
Existing Visa Holders
If you already hold a Skilled Worker visa that was granted before 22 July 2025, the salary you were required to meet at the time of your application generally continues to apply for the duration of that visa. The new £41,700 threshold applies when you:
Apply for a new Skilled Worker visa
Extend your current visa
Switch employers or roles under a new Certificate of Sponsorship
Impact on Visa Applications and Migration Statistics
Early data suggests the threshold increases have had a measurable effect on application volumes. According to monthly entry clearance statistics for February 2026, Skilled Worker visa grants declined compared to the same period in previous years, reflecting both the higher salary bar and the RQF level 6 requirement introduced in July 2025.
Employers in sectors with lower median wages—such as hospitality, retail, and some creative industries—have reported difficulty meeting the new thresholds, particularly for roles that previously qualified at RQF 3–5 levels.
Employer Responsibilities and Sponsorship
Employers must hold a valid sponsor licence to hire Skilled Workers. When issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), the employer confirms that:
Part-time salaries are calculated pro-rata, but must still meet the £25,000 floor.
Employers must ensure compliance with salary rules and report any changes to the Home Office.
The salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa UK applications is a central pillar of the UK's immigration system. Both applicants and sponsors should consult the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page and the going rates table to verify eligibility before beginning the application process.
