The skilled worker visa salary threshold increased significantly following the July 2025 changes to the Immigration Rules. If you plan to work in the UK in 2026, you need to understand the current requirements. Missing the salary threshold is one of the most common reasons the Home Office refuses skilled worker visa applications.
In this guide, we explain exactly what the 2026 salary thresholds are, which roles are affected, and what you can do if your salary falls short.
What is the skilled worker visa salary threshold?
The skilled worker visa salary threshold is the minimum salary you must earn to qualify for a skilled worker visa. The Home Office sets this threshold to ensure overseas workers receive fair pay. It also prevents employers from undercutting UK workers with cheaper overseas labour.
There are two salary figures you need to meet:
- The general threshold – a baseline minimum for most jobs
- The going rate – the standard pay for your specific occupation code
You must meet whichever figure is higher. Therefore, simply earning the general threshold is not always enough.
What are the skilled worker visa salary thresholds in 2026?
Following the July 2025 changes to the Immigration Rules, the Home Office raised the general salary threshold to Β£41,700 per year. This figure applies to most skilled worker visa applications in 2026.
In addition to the annual salary, your pay must also meet an hourly floor of Β£17.13 per hour. This is based on a standard 37.5-hour working week, up to a maximum of 48 hours. Your salary must satisfy both the annual and hourly requirements.
Here is a summary of the key thresholds:
| Situation | Minimum annual salary |
|---|---|
| General skilled worker threshold | Β£41,700 |
| New entrant rate | Β£33,400 |
| STEM PhD holders | Β£33,400 (80% of threshold) |
| Non-STEM PhD holders | Β£37,500 (90% of threshold) |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) – RQF Level 6+ | Β£33,400 (but 100% of going rate applies) |
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) – RQF Level 3-5 | Β£25,000 floor |
| Health and care worker – standard | Β£31,300 |
| Health and care worker – new entrant | Β£28,200 |
| Health and care worker – specific lower-band roles | From Β£25,000 |
For most applicants, Β£41,700 is the figure to aim for. However, your circumstances may allow you to apply at a lower rate.
Who qualifies as a new entrant?
A new entrant is someone at the start of their career. The Home Office grants new entrants a lower salary threshold of Β£33,400 per year. You qualify as a new entrant if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You are under 26 years old
- You are switching from a student visa or graduate visa
- You are working towards a recognised professional qualification
- You are in the first year of a postdoctoral position
As a result, younger workers and recent graduates benefit from a lower barrier to entry. In addition, you can work at the new entrant rate for a maximum of four years. After that, you must earn the full threshold.
PhD holders: reduced salary thresholds
The Home Office offers reduced salary thresholds for applicants with a PhD relevant to their role. The reduction depends on whether your PhD is in a STEM subject.
- STEM PhD holders qualify at Β£33,400 per year, which is 80% of the general threshold. You must also meet 80% of the going rate for your occupation.
- Non-STEM PhD holders qualify at Β£37,500 per year, which is 90% of the general threshold. You must also meet 90% of the going rate for your occupation.
Therefore, if you hold a PhD, it is worth confirming whether you qualify for a reduced rate before you apply. An IAA-regulated adviser can verify this for you.
Skill level requirements in 2026
The July 2025 changes also raised the minimum skill level for sponsored roles. Your job must now be at RQF Level 6 or above – that is graduate level or equivalent.
However, there is an exception. RQF Level 3 to 5 roles can still qualify for sponsorship if the occupation appears on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). For TSL roles, a salary floor of Β£25,000 applies instead of the general threshold.
This is a significant change. Many roles that were previously eligible under the old rules may no longer qualify unless they appear on the TSL. Therefore, always check the skill level of your occupation code before applying.
How the going rate affects your application
Every skilled worker visa job has a specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The Home Office assigns a going rate to each SOC code. This going rate reflects what employers typically pay UK workers in that role.
For example:
- A software developer may have a going rate of Β£44,000
- A civil engineer may have a going rate of Β£45,000
- A registered nurse may follow the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales
If the going rate for your job is higher than Β£41,700, you must earn the going rate. Therefore, checking your SOC code before applying is essential. Your employer and your immigration adviser can help you identify the correct code.
What happened to the shortage occupation list?
The Home Office abolished the shortage occupation list in April 2024. With it went the 20% salary discount that shortage roles previously received. As a result, most roles now follow the standard salary thresholds.
However, two successor lists now exist:
- Immigration Salary List (ISL) – covers RQF Level 6 and above roles. If your role appears on the ISL, the reduced general threshold of Β£33,400 applies. However, you must still meet 100% of the going rate for your specific occupation.
- Temporary Shortage List (TSL) – covers RQF Level 3 to 5 roles in genuine shortage. A salary floor of Β£25,000 applies for TSL roles.
If your role appears on either list, speak to an IAA-regulated immigration adviser to understand exactly which rules apply to your situation.
Health and care worker visa salary thresholds
Health and care workers follow a separate salary structure. The thresholds reflect NHS Agenda for Change pay scales and the nature of care sector roles.
The current health and care worker salary thresholds are:
- Standard health and care rate: Β£31,300 per year
- New entrant health and care rate: Β£28,200 per year
- Specific lower-band roles (including senior care workers and certain nurses): From Β£25,000 per year
Therefore, if you work in health or social care, your salary requirements are different from the standard skilled worker route. Always check which threshold applies to your specific role and employer type.
Which roles are exempt from the general threshold?
Certain roles follow different salary rules. These include:
- Health and care workers – follow NHS pay scales and separate thresholds as above
- Education workers – teachers on national pay scales may qualify at different rates
- TSL roles (RQF Level 3β5) – subject to the Β£25,000 floor
- New entrants – qualify at Β£33,400 as explained above
- PhD holders – qualify at reduced rates depending on subject area
In addition, if you work part-time, the Home Office will assess your salary on a pro-rata basis. Your hourly rate must still meet the Β£17.13 per hour floor.
Can your employer top up your salary to meet the threshold?
Yes. Your employer can adjust your salary to meet the threshold. This is a straightforward solution for many applicants. However, the salary must be genuine and reflected in your employment contract. The Home Office will scrutinise any sudden salary increase that appears designed solely to meet the visa threshold.
Therefore, ensure your new salary is:
- Written clearly in your employment contract
- Consistent with your job responsibilities
- Supported by your Certificate of Sponsorship
If your employer needs help understanding their obligations, our guide on UK sponsorship licences explains what licensed sponsors must do.
What your employer needs to do
Your employer must hold a valid sponsorship licence before they can hire you on a skilled worker visa. Without a licence, no application is possible. Once licensed, your employer issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS confirms your job title, SOC code, salary, and start date.
You cannot apply for a skilled worker visa without a valid CoS reference number.
If you are an employer who needs a sponsorship licence, LawSentis can guide you through the full process. Visit our sponsorship licence service page for more information.
How to check if your salary meets the threshold
Follow these steps before you apply:
- Ask your employer for your SOC code
- Check the going rate for that SOC code on the Home Office website
- Compare the going rate to the general threshold of Β£41,700
- Use whichever figure is higher as your target salary
- Confirm your annual salary converts to at least Β£17.13 per hour
- Confirm your salary in writing with your employer before applying
If you are unsure at any step, an IAA-regulated adviser can check everything for you. Getting this wrong leads to a refusal β and refusals affect future applications.
What happens if you earn below the threshold?
The Home Office will refuse your skilled worker visa application if your salary falls below the required threshold. Unfortunately, you cannot appeal a refusal on salary grounds in the same way you can on human rights grounds.
However, you have options:
- Ask your employer to raise your salary to meet the threshold
- Check whether you qualify as a new entrant or PhD holder
- Explore whether your role appears on the ISL or TSL
- Apply under a different visa route if eligible
- Wait until a higher-paid role becomes available
If the Home Office has already refused your application, contact us immediately. Our team handles complex refusal cases and can advise on next steps. You can also read our guide on indefinite leave to remain if you are further along in your immigration journey.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many applicants make the same errors. Here are the most frequent ones:
- Using the wrong SOC code, this can mean applying against the wrong going rate
- Forgetting the hourly floor, your salary must meet Β£17.13 per hour, not just the annual figure
- Assuming bonuses count, overtime, bonuses, and tips do not count towards the threshold in most cases
- Using outdated salary figures, the threshold rose to Β£41,700 following July 2025 rule changes
- Assuming the shortage occupation discount still applies, it does not
- Not checking your role’s skill level, roles below RQF Level 6 now require TSL listing to qualify
Avoiding these mistakes before you apply saves time, money, and stress.
How LawSentis can help
LawSentis is an Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)-regulated immigration advisory firm operating at Level 3 – the highest level of authorisation in the UK. We handle skilled worker visa applications from start to finish. Our team checks your salary, SOC code, skill level, sponsorship documentation, and application before submission.
We work with both individuals and employers. Whether you are an overseas worker or a UK business hiring from abroad, we can help.
Book a consultation with LawSentis today to discuss your skilled worker visa.
Frequently asked questions
What is the skilled worker visa salary threshold in 2026?
The general threshold is Β£41,700 per year following the July 2025 changes to the Immigration Rules. You must also meet Β£17.13 per hour. In addition, you must satisfy the going rate for your specific occupation – whichever figure is higher applies.
Can I include bonuses to meet the salary threshold?
No. In most cases, the Home Office counts only your guaranteed basic salary. Overtime, bonuses, and tips do not count towards the threshold.
What is the new entrant salary threshold in 2026?
New entrants can qualify at Β£33,400 per year. You qualify as a new entrant if you are under 26, switching from a student visa, or working towards a professional qualification.
Do PhD holders get a reduced salary threshold?
Yes. STEM PhD holders can qualify at Β£33,400 per year – 80% of the general threshold. Non-STEM PhD holders qualify at Β£37,500 per year – 90% of the general threshold. In both cases, the relevant percentage of the going rate also applies.
What is the Temporary Shortage List?
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) covers RQF Level 3 to 5 roles that are in genuine shortage. Roles on the TSL can still be sponsored, with a salary floor of Β£25,000 per year.
Does the shortage occupation discount still apply in 2026?
No. The Home Office removed the 20% shortage occupation discount in April 2024. Standard roles now follow the Β£41,700 threshold. Some roles benefit from reduced rates through the ISL or TSL instead.
What happens if my salary is just below the threshold?
Ask your employer to raise your salary to meet the threshold. If that is not possible, check whether you qualify as a new entrant, PhD holder, or whether your role appears on the ISL or TSL. Speak to an IAA-regulated adviser about the best approach.
Do I need a job offer before applying?
Yes. You must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply for a skilled worker visa.
How long does a skilled worker visa last?
A skilled worker visa is typically granted for up to five years. After five years of continuous residence, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Note:
This article is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always seek advice from an IAA-regulated immigration adviser before making any application.
LawSentis is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. Contact us for professional advice.