Graduate Route
Current rules
Applicants for a Skilled Worker visa must meet updated salary thresholds and occupation-specific going rates. To gain the mandatory 20 points for salary, an applicant's salary must meet or exceed both the general threshold and the going rate for their specific occupation (SOC 2020 code). There are various options for meeting the salary points, which depend on factors such as holding a PhD, working in a STEM subject, being on the Immigration Salary List, or being a new entrant. General options for salary points (Options A-E): - Option A: Salary equals or exceeds £41,700 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option B (PhD relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £37,500 per year AND 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option C (PhD in STEM relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option D (Job on Immigration Salary List): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option E (New entrant): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. Options for Health and Care ASHE salary jobs (Options F-J), or for applicants under pre-April 2024 rules with continuous permission until April 2030: - Option F: Salary equals or exceeds £31,300 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option G (PhD relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £28,200 per year AND 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option H (PhD in STEM relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option I (Job on Immigration Salary List): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option J (New entrant): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. Option K (Listed health or education occupation): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.
Overview
The Home Office has published revised general salary thresholds and occupation-specific going rates for the Skilled Worker route.
Who is affected by the latest change
- People applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa
- Skilled Workers extending their permission where the updated salary requirements apply
- UK employers sponsoring Skilled Workers
- Applicants whose salary is close to the applicable threshold
- Applicants relying on a PhD, new-entrant or Immigration Salary List salary discount
- Workers whose occupation has a specific going rate
What changed in the latest version
Before
Before 22 July 2025: -The general Skilled Worker salary threshold was £38,700. -Occupation-specific going rates were based on the previous salary data. -Certain applicants could use reduced salary thresholds. -The Skilled Worker route allowed a wider range of occupations at lower skill levels.
After
Applicants for a Skilled Worker visa must meet updated salary thresholds and occupation-specific going rates. To gain the mandatory 20 points for salary, an applicant's salary must meet or exceed both the general threshold and the going rate for their specific occupation (SOC 2020 code). There are various options for meeting the salary points, which depend on factors such as holding a PhD, working in a STEM subject, being on the Immigration Salary List, or being a new entrant. General options for salary points (Options A-E): - Option A: Salary equals or exceeds £41,700 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option B (PhD relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £37,500 per year AND 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option C (PhD in STEM relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option D (Job on Immigration Salary List): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option E (New entrant): Salary equals or exceeds £33,400 per year AND 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. Options for Health and Care ASHE salary jobs (Options F-J), or for applicants under pre-April 2024 rules with continuous permission until April 2030: - Option F: Salary equals or exceeds £31,300 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option G (PhD relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £28,200 per year AND 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option H (PhD in STEM relevant to job): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option I (Job on Immigration Salary List): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. - Option J (New entrant): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code. Option K (Listed health or education occupation): Salary equals or exceeds £25,000 per year AND the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.
This update significantly impacts employers sponsoring Skilled Workers, as they must now ensure that the offered salary meets the new, higher general thresholds and occupation-specific rates. For individuals seeking a Skilled Worker visa, this means you might need to secure a job offer with a higher salary than previously required to qualify. If your salary falls short, even if you meet other criteria, your visa application may be rejected. This change could also influence the types of skilled jobs that employers prioritise sponsoring, focusing on roles where salaries can more easily meet the new benchmarks. Health and Care ASHE salary jobs and specific occupations with a PhD or 'new entrant' status have different, potentially lower, thresholds, reflecting nuanced policy objectives.
Explained simply
Imagine you're trying to get a special work pass to the UK. To get this pass, you need to show you have a job offer that pays enough. The UK government just increased what they consider 'enough' for many jobs. It's like they raised the minimum score you need on a test. Now, for most jobs, your salary needs to be at least £41,700 a year. But there are some special situations where the required salary might be a bit lower. For example, if you have a fancy PhD, or if your job is on a special list for in-demand skills, or if you're just starting your career, you might need a bit less, like £33,400 or £37,500. Also, if you're working in certain health and care jobs, the minimum could be even lower, starting from £25,000 to £31,300. So, if you're applying, you need to check if your job's salary meets these new higher amounts and also the specific minimum for your type of work.
Version history
- v2Effective 22 Jul 2025EffectiveHigh impactUK confirms updated Skilled Worker salary thresholds and going rates
The Home Office has released new general salary levels and specific rates for jobs on the Skilled Worker visa route.
- v1Effective 2 Jun 2025EffectiveHigh impactHome Office confirms eVisa transition: expired biometric residence permits no longer accepted at the border
Carriers and Border Force now check immigration status online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Expired biometric residence permits (BRPs) and biometric residence cards (BRCs) are no longer accepted as proof of status for travel.
Timeline
Annual review published
20 Jul 2026
Updated going rates laid before Parliament.
Reform package raises thresholds
4 Apr 2024
General threshold and going rates increased.
goborda provides monitoring and explanation of publicly available policy information. It is not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration professional before acting.
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