This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Detailed guide to salary thresholds for UK work visas, explaining the Skilled Worker visa requirements, general and occupation‑specific minimum salaries, discount categories, calculation methods, and practical steps for employers and applicants to meet immigration rules.
Salary thresholds are a central part of the United Kingdom's work visa system. They determine whether a job offer and an applicant's pay are sufficient for a visa under routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, and other sponsored work categories. Understanding these thresholds is essential for employers, prospective employees and advisers to ensure compliance with immigration requirements, avoid refusals, and plan employment contracts effectively. This article explains the key salary requirements, how they are calculated, common exceptions, time limits, and implications for work visa eligibility.
The Role of Salary Thresholds in Work Visa Eligibility
The Home Office uses salary thresholds to assess whether sponsored work offers meet the economic and policy objectives of the UK's immigration system. Salary thresholds serve two main purposes:
- Ensuring applicants can support themselves without dependence on public funds.
- Protecting the UK labour market by requiring overseas workers to be paid at rates comparable to resident workers.
Salary thresholds are embedded in the Immigration Rules and related Home Office guidance. The rules are updated periodically, including significant changes implemented in 2024 and 2025 which increased minimum salary levels for many skilled worker applications.
Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds
Standard Salary Threshold
For most Skilled Worker visa applications made on or after 22 July 2025, the general salary threshold is:
- £41,700 per year or the going rate for the job (whichever is higher).
The going rate is the occupation‑specific salary determined by the job's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. It reflects typical pay levels for that role and must be checked in the Home Office's going rates tables. Employers and applicants must satisfy both the general threshold and, where applicable, the going rate for the occupation.
Occupation‑Specific Thresholds and Discounts
In limited cases, applicants may qualify under lower salary thresholds if specific conditions apply. These include:
- New entrant discount: A reduced threshold of £33,400 per year may apply to applicants under 26, recent UK graduates, or those in professional training.
- Relevant PhD discount: Applicants with a relevant PhD may be paid a salary below the standard threshold - typically 80–90 % of the going rate - provided it remains at or above £33,400 per year.
- Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List cases: Jobs on specific salary lists may have a lower salary floor - generally £33,400 per year - though applicants still must meet the occupation's going rate.
Across all categories, the salary offered must also meet a minimum salary floor, which was raised to £25,000 per year (or its hourly equivalent) for applicable roles such as care workers, national pay scale jobs, and discounted categories from April 2025 onwards.
How Salary Thresholds Are Calculated
Salary thresholds are expressed as annual gross pay. The Home Office typically bases going rates on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) median salaries for comparable UK roles. This ensures that overseas workers are paid in line with UK norms.
The salary must be sufficient based on the number of contracted hours. For example, if an offer is for more than the standard full‑time hours (commonly 40 per week), the calculation should not exceed a realistic number of hours (often 48 per week) for a meaningful comparison with the threshold.
Specific Route Variations
Health and Care Worker Visa
Health and Care Worker visa applicants have distinct considerations, though they follow the core Skilled Worker mechanics. Some healthcare roles have national pay scales or occupation‑specific arrangements. For those roles not on formal pay scales, the general minimum salary is £25,000 per year or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher.
Temporary Shortage and Transitional Provisions
With ongoing changes to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) being replaced by temporary lists like the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), some roles previously eligible at lower thresholds continue to be subject to transitional arrangements. In these cases, employers must confirm which thresholds apply and whether the worker is subject to old or new salary provisions.
What Happens if Salary Thresholds Are Not Met?
If an application does not meet the salary thresholds, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will refuse the visa. Employers and applicants should carefully check:
- That the salary offered meets or exceeds the applicable threshold for the role and applicant category.
- That evidence of salary and contract details is provided clearly in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and visa application.
- Whether any discount categories apply and are documented.
A refusal on this basis typically cannot be appealed but may be subject to administrative review if there is an obvious caseworking error in applying the rules.
Practical Steps for Employers and Applicants
Review Eligibility Early
Before assigning a CoS or submitting an application, check the current Immigration Rules and the Home Office's salary tables. Salary thresholds change periodically, and using outdated figures may result in refusal.
Document Salary Clearly
Ensure that employment contracts, salary details on the CoS, and financial documentation in the visa application are consistent and align with the thresholds and going rates.
Understand Discount Categories
If a reduced threshold applies (for example, new entrant or PhD holder), confirm that all conditions are met and evidenced in the application.
Monitor Policy Changes
Salary thresholds are subject to legislative and policy updates. Employers and applicants should monitor guidance from the Home Office or seek professional advice when planning sponsorships and visa applications. Policy reviews by advisory bodies, including the Migration Advisory Committee, may influence future salary thresholds.
Key Takeaways
Salary thresholds are fundamental to work visa eligibility in the UK. The Skilled Worker visa route requires applicants to be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for their job. Lower thresholds may apply in specific circumstances, such as new entrants or certain occupation lists, but salary offers must still meet the required standards. Employers and visa applicants should understand how thresholds are calculated, keep abreast of policy changes, and prepare evidence carefully to satisfy immigration requirements.
