UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Checker

The general salary threshold is £38,700 per year as of April 2024. This is the minimum salary an employer must offer for most Skilled Worker visa applications, unless the going rate for the specific occupation is higher.

A new entrant is someone who is under 26 years old at the date of application, switching from a Student or Graduate visa, or in a postdoctoral position. New entrants benefit from a lower salary threshold of £30,960, which is 70% of the going rate for their occupation.

The Immigration Salary List identifies occupations where there is a shortage of workers in the UK. Roles on this list benefit from a 20% discount on the going rate. The list is reviewed periodically by the Migration Advisory Committee.

A Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code is a 4-digit code used to classify occupations. Each Skilled Worker visa application must reference the correct SOC code for the role being sponsored. The going rate salary is determined by the SOC code.

Generally, the salary must be guaranteed and contractual. You cannot include variable bonuses, overtime, tips, or commission to meet the threshold. However, certain guaranteed allowances that are part of the employment contract may be counted.

If the offered salary does not meet the minimum threshold, the visa application will be refused. The employer would need to increase the salary or consider whether the role qualifies under any exceptions, such as the new entrant rate or shortage occupation discount.

The salary thresholds are based on full-time equivalent (FTE) salary. For part-time roles, the actual salary paid can be lower, but the FTE salary must still meet the threshold. For example, a 20-hour-per-week role at £20,000 has an FTE of £37,142 which would fall below the £38,700 threshold.

Salary thresholds are reviewed and updated periodically by the UK government, often following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee. The most significant recent change was in April 2024 when the general threshold increased from £26,200 to £38,700.

The going rate is the minimum salary for a specific occupation, set by the government based on Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. It varies by SOC code and represents the 25th percentile of earnings for that occupation. If the going rate exceeds the general threshold, the going rate applies instead.

Workers who were sponsored before 4 April 2024 may benefit from transitional arrangements until their current visa expires. However, any new application or extension after that date must meet the new thresholds unless specific exemptions apply.