Understanding salary requirements for the UK skilled worker visa
If you’ve received a job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor, the Skilled Worker visa could be your pathway to working in the United Kingdom. One of the most important eligibility criteria you’ll need to satisfy is the salary threshold. Below, we break down everything you need to know about how these requirements work.
What counts toward your salary?
When assessing whether you meet the salary threshold, only your guaranteed gross basic pay is taken into account. This refers to your pre-tax salary, inclusive of your own pension and national insurance contributions – but before your employer’s contributions are added.
A number of payments are excluded from this calculation, including:
- Pay that fluctuates due to variable hours
- Overtime, shift premiums, or bonus payments
- Employer pension or national insurance contributions
- Allowances such as accommodation or cost-of-living support
- Benefits in kind, including company cars, health insurance, equity shares, or school fees
- One-off payments or signing bonuses
- Payments covering immigration fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Business expense reimbursements, such as travel, equipment, or subsistence costs
General salary threshold for skilled workers
For most applicants, the minimum salary requirement under the Skilled Worker route is Β£41,700 per year or 100% of the going rate for your specific occupation code – whichever figure is higher. Exceptions to this threshold do exist and may apply depending on your circumstances.
Reduced salary threshold for new entrants
If you qualify as a new entrant to the labour market, a lower salary threshold of Β£33,400 per year or 70% of the going rate applies to your occupation. You may be considered a new entrant if any of the following apply to you:
- You were under 26 years old at the time of your application
- You are being sponsored for a postdoctoral position in an eligible scientific or academic occupation, including chemical, biological, physical, or social sciences, as well as higher education teaching roles
- You are working toward a recognised professional qualification in a UK-regulated profession
- You are working toward full registration or chartered status with the relevant professional body for your role
- You were most recently in the UK on a Student visa that expired less than two years before your application date, you were sponsored to study a UK bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, PGCE, or PGDE, and you have either completed your course or, for PhD students, completed at least 12 months of study in the UK
- You were most recently in the UK on a Graduate visa, and if that visa has expired, it must have done so less than two years before your application date
Salary rules under the senior or specialist worker route
For those applying under the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route, the salary calculation works slightly differently. Alongside your guaranteed gross basic pay, any allowances that are guaranteed for the full duration of your UK employment may also be included.
The minimum salary threshold for this route is Β£52,500 per year or 100% of the going rate for your occupation code – whichever is greater. Exceptions may apply.
It is important to note that this route does not lead to permanent settlement in the UK. The maximum permitted stay is:
- Five years in any six-year period, for those earning below Β£73,900 per year
- Nine years in any ten-year period, for those earning Β£73,900 per year or more
Salary requirements for indefinite leave to remain
Skilled Workers who wish to settle permanently in the UK must be earning at least Β£41,700 per year and at or above the going rate for their occupation code at the point of applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Exceptions may apply in certain cases.
Applying for settlement is a significant step, and the rules can be complex. We strongly recommend seeking expert legal advice before proceeding.
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Lawsentis is a specialist UK immigration law firm dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complexities of the UK immigration system. Whether you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa, planning your route to settlement, or managing a sponsored workforce, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
We pride ourselves on providing clear, practical, and personalised legal advice tailored to your unique situation.
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