The UK Skilled Worker visa allows employers to sponsor international talent across healthcare, technology, engineering, and many other sectors. Salary thresholds form the backbone of this route's eligibility framework. Whether you are a nurse from Nigeria, a software developer from India, or an engineer from the Philippines, understanding how the Home Office calculates and applies minimum salary requirements is essential before accepting a UK job offer.
This guide explains the general threshold, occupation-specific going rates, and the rules that determine whether a sponsored role meets UK immigration salary standards in 2026.
Key facts
Aspect | What to know |
|---|---|
General minimum threshold | Current figure: see the Skilled Worker visa guidance on gov.uk |
Going rate requirement | Occupation-specific minimum based on SOC code; verify on the Home Office SOC code tool |
Which salary applies | You must meet whichever is higher: the general threshold or the going rate for your occupation |
Salary basis | Gross annual salary for a standard 37.5 to 40-hour week; pro-rated if part-time |
Governing authority | UK Home Office (part of the points-based immigration system) |
Where to verify current thresholds |
How the UK Skilled Worker visa salary system works
The Skilled Worker route operates on a points-based framework. To qualify, you need 70 points: 50 mandatory points (a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor, at an appropriate skill level, with English language ability) plus 20 tradeable points. Salary is the primary tradeable attribute.
The Home Office sets two benchmarks. The first is a general minimum threshold that applies across all occupations. The second is the going rate, a salary floor tied to each specific occupation code in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Your Certificate of Sponsorship must show a salary that meets or exceeds whichever figure is higher. If your offer falls below both, the application will be refused unless you qualify for a reduced threshold under new-entrant or shortage-occupation rules.
General threshold versus going rate
The general threshold is a single figure updated periodically by the Home Office to reflect economic conditions and policy goals. It applies uniformly regardless of your job title. The going rate, by contrast, varies by occupation. A registered nurse, a civil engineer, and a data analyst each have different going rates because their SOC codes differ.
When your employer prepares your Certificate of Sponsorship, they will reference the four-digit SOC code that best describes your role. The Home Office then checks that the stated salary meets both the general threshold and the going rate for that code. Whichever is higher becomes your effective minimum.
Occupation-specific going rates and SOC codes
Every eligible Skilled Worker occupation has a published going rate, typically expressed as an annual figure for a standard full-time working pattern. These rates reflect median pay levels in the UK labour market for each role. Healthcare professionals, for example, often see going rates aligned with National Health Service pay scales, while IT specialists' rates reflect commercial sector benchmarks.
To find the going rate for your occupation, consult the official eligible occupations list published by the Home Office. The list pairs each SOC code with its corresponding minimum salary. Your sponsor must use the code that most accurately matches your actual duties, not simply the job title. Misclassification can lead to refusal or future compliance issues.
Examples across key sectors
Healthcare roles such as registered nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists each carry distinct going rates. Nigerian nurses moving to the NHS, for instance, will find their going rate set by the relevant SOC code for nursing, which the Home Office updates in line with public-sector pay policy. Indian IT specialists in software development or systems analysis face going rates that reflect the UK's competitive technology labour market. Filipino engineers in civil, mechanical, or electrical disciplines must meet the going rate for their specific engineering SOC code.
In every case, the principle remains the same: your actual salary must meet or exceed both the general threshold and your occupation's going rate. You can explore current UK employers offering visa sponsorship to identify companies actively hiring in your field and compare typical salary offers.
Reduced thresholds for new entrants and shortage occupations
Certain applicants qualify for a lower salary threshold. New entrants include those under 26, recent graduates switching from a Student visa, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals in recognised training programmes. For new entrants, both the general threshold and the going rate are reduced by a set percentage. The exact reduction is published on the gov.uk Skilled Worker guidance page.
Shortage occupations, identified on the official shortage occupation list, may also benefit from reduced thresholds. If your SOC code appears on this list, you can meet a lower salary floor. Shortage designation changes over time as the Migration Advisory Committee reviews labour market evidence, so always verify current status before assuming eligibility.
Part-time work and pro-rating
If your sponsored role is part-time, the salary threshold is pro-rated based on your contracted hours relative to a standard full-time week. The Home Office defines full-time as 37.5 to 40 hours per week, depending on the sector. Your Certificate of Sponsorship will state your weekly hours, and the salary is adjusted proportionally. For example, if the going rate for your occupation is a given annual figure for 40 hours per week and you work 30 hours, your minimum salary is 75 per cent of that figure.
Pro-rating applies to both the general threshold and the going rate. Whichever adjusted figure is higher becomes your effective minimum. Part-time arrangements are common in healthcare and education, so understanding pro-rating is particularly relevant for nurses, teachers, and allied health professionals.
Allowances, bonuses, and what counts toward the threshold
Only guaranteed, basic gross salary counts toward meeting the threshold. The Home Office excludes most allowances, bonuses, and benefits. Overtime pay, performance bonuses, accommodation allowances, and pension contributions do not contribute to the salary figure used for immigration purposes. Your Certificate of Sponsorship must state the guaranteed annual salary before any variable elements.
There is one exception: guaranteed allowances that are part of your core pay package and stated in your contract may be included, but this is narrowly defined. If you are considering an offer that relies on bonuses or shift allowances to reach the threshold, clarify with your employer and their immigration adviser whether those elements are admissible. In most cases, they are not.
Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa
Many international graduates in the UK transition from a Student visa (or Graduate visa) to a Skilled Worker visa. If you are under 26 or switching within a set period after completing your course, you qualify as a new entrant and benefit from the reduced threshold. This pathway is particularly common among postgraduate students who studied at UK universities and secured graduate-level employment.
According to zovrā's verified university catalogue (as of 2026-07-05), international postgraduate tuition across 36 UK universities ranges from GBP 1,240 to GBP 70,300 per year, with a median of GBP 30,600. Programmes such as the MSc in relevant fields at the University of Birmingham or the MSc Biomedical Engineering at the University of Exeter (GBP 30,600 per year, verified 2026-07-04) prepare graduates for roles that often lead to Skilled Worker sponsorship. Understanding the salary threshold before you graduate helps you evaluate job offers realistically.
Verifying your offer meets the requirements
Before you accept a UK job offer, confirm that the stated salary meets both the general threshold and the going rate for your SOC code. Ask your prospective employer to share the SOC code they will use on your Certificate of Sponsorship and cross-reference it with the official Home Office tables. If the salary falls short, the application will fail unless you qualify for a reduced threshold.
Licensed sponsors are responsible for ensuring compliance, but errors do occur. Double-checking the figures yourself protects you from wasted application fees and delays. The current general threshold and occupation-specific going rates are published on the Skilled Worker visa pages on gov.uk, and the Home Office updates these figures periodically, so always consult the latest version.
What happens if your salary changes after visa approval
Once your Skilled Worker visa is granted, your employer must continue to pay you at least the salary stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship. If your pay falls below the threshold due to a reduction in hours, a pay cut, or a change in role, your sponsor must report this to the Home Office. A significant drop may affect your visa status or future applications.
Conversely, if your salary increases, this is generally positive for future visa extensions or settlement applications, but it does not require immediate reporting unless your role or SOC code changes. Maintaining compliance with the salary rules throughout your visa validity is essential for a smooth path to indefinite leave to remain.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine two part-time jobs to meet the salary threshold?
No. The Skilled Worker visa requires a single Certificate of Sponsorship from one licensed sponsor. You cannot aggregate salaries from multiple employers to meet the threshold. Each sponsored role must independently satisfy the salary requirement for its SOC code and working pattern.
Does the salary threshold include tax and National Insurance?
No. The threshold is based on gross annual salary before any deductions. Your employer states the gross figure on your Certificate of Sponsorship, and the Home Office assesses eligibility on that basis. What you receive after tax is not relevant to the immigration calculation.
What if my occupation is not on the eligible occupations list?
If your role does not correspond to an eligible SOC code at the required skill level (RQF Level 3 or above), you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa in that occupation. The Home Office maintains a finite list of eligible codes. If your job is not listed, you will need to explore other visa routes or seek a role that does fall within the eligible occupations framework.
How often do salary thresholds change?
The Home Office reviews and updates salary thresholds periodically, often in response to economic data, policy reviews, or recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee. Changes are announced in advance and published on gov.uk. Always verify the current figures when you are preparing an application, as outdated information can lead to refusal.
Can my employer pay me less if I am a new entrant?
If you qualify as a new entrant, the reduced threshold applies, meaning your employer can sponsor you at a lower salary than would otherwise be required. However, they must still meet the reduced threshold and the reduced going rate for your occupation. The salary cannot fall below these adjusted minimums, and your employer must confirm your new-entrant status on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
