Appendix Skilled Worker 2026: SW 1.1 to SW 21.1, GBP 38,700 Threshold and the May 2025 White Paper

Where Appendix Skilled Worker sits in the Immigration Rules

Appendix Skilled Worker is the dedicated Appendix of the Immigration Rules that governs every Skilled Worker visa application. The Appendix replaced the older Tier 2 (General) rules on 1 December 2020 as part of the post-Brexit points-based system overhaul. It sits alongside Appendix Skilled Occupations (which lists the eligible jobs by Standard Occupational Classification code) and Appendix English Language (which sets the language criterion). The three are read together.

The structure of Appendix Skilled Worker is numerical. Paragraphs are labelled SW followed by a major section number and a subsection number, so SW 4.1 is paragraph 1 of section 4. The numbering is stable across Statements of Changes: when amendments are laid, they typically substitute or insert at the established paragraph reference rather than renumbering the whole Appendix.

The paragraph spine: SW 1.1 through SW 21.1

SW 1.1 is the purpose paragraph. It states the policy aim of the Skilled Worker route: to allow non-UK nationals to work in the UK for an approved sponsor in an eligible occupation. SW 4.1 covers validity, including the requirements for an in-time application, a valid certificate of sponsorship, payment of the fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. An application that fails any SW 4 paragraph is rejected as invalid without consideration of the substantive eligibility tests.

SW 6.1 covers suitability, the threshold that captures criminality, deception and adverse immigration history. SW 9.1 is the main eligibility paragraph and contains the substantive requirements: sponsorship, skill level, English language, salary and tradeable points. SW 14.1 to SW 16.1 cover decision, period and conditions of grant. SW 18.1 governs extension applications and SW 21.1 covers the path to indefinite leave to remain after 5 years.

The 2026 salary thresholds and Statement of Changes HC 590

The 2026 general salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is GBP 38,700. This was the figure set by Statement of Changes HC 590, laid before Parliament in March 2024 and brought into force on 4 April 2024 for new applications. The new-entrant rate, applied to applicants under 26 or in postdoctoral positions or moving directly from a Student visa, is GBP 30,960. The shortage occupation rate was abolished by HC 590 and replaced with the new Immigration Salary List, which discounts the threshold for a defined set of occupations.

Each occupation also carries a "going rate" set by reference to the 25th percentile of UK earnings for that SOC code. The actual threshold is the higher of the general (or new-entrant) rate and the going rate for the SOC code. So an applicant offered a software engineer role (SOC code 2136) must clear both the general GBP 38,700 threshold and the going rate for software engineers, whichever is higher.

70 points: 50 mandatory and 20 tradeable

The route is points-based. A successful applicant scores 70 points, made up of 50 mandatory points and 20 tradeable points. The mandatory 50 are: 20 for a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor with a valid certificate of sponsorship, 20 for the job being at the required skill level under Appendix Skilled Occupations, and 10 for English language at B1.

The tradeable 20 points are scored against salary or one of the substitute attributes. Salary at or above GBP 38,700 and at the SOC-code going rate scores 20. Salary slightly below the general threshold can still score where the applicant qualifies as a new entrant, holds a relevant PhD, or fills a role on the Immigration Salary List. The full tradeable matrix is set out in tables 1 to 3 of Appendix Skilled Worker.

RQF 3 skill level under Appendix Skilled Occupations

The current skill threshold sits at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3, which is A-level equivalent. An occupation qualifies only if it is listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations with a confirmed minimum RQF 3 classification. The Migration Advisory Committee periodically reviews the SOC list, and Statements of Changes either add or remove occupations.

The RQF 3 threshold was itself the product of the December 2020 reforms, which lowered the previous Tier 2 (General) RQF 6 (degree-level) requirement. The May 2025 white paper proposed reversing this and returning to RQF 6, although that change had not yet been laid before Parliament by May 2026.

Sponsorship: the certificate of sponsorship requirement

Every Skilled Worker application requires a valid certificate of sponsorship issued by an organisation holding a Home Office sponsor licence under the worker route. The sponsor assigns the certificate (the "CoS") to the named worker on the Home Office's Sponsorship Management System and the applicant uses the CoS reference number on the visa form. The CoS is valid for 3 months from the date of assignment, and an application made after that window is rejected as invalid.

The CoS records the SOC code, the salary, the working pattern and the start date. Any discrepancy between the CoS and the supporting documents triggers refusal under SW 9.1.

The May 2025 white paper: RQF 6 and the Temporary Shortage List

"Restoring Control over the Immigration System", the white paper published in May 2025, proposed two structural changes to Appendix Skilled Worker. The first was raising the skill threshold from RQF 3 back to RQF 6, restricting the route to degree-level roles. The second was replacing the Immigration Salary List with a new, narrower Temporary Shortage List, intended to apply only to occupations facing acute, time-limited shortages.

Both proposals were signalled as future Statements of Changes rather than immediate amendments. As of May 2026 neither has been laid before Parliament, so the RQF 3 threshold and the Immigration Salary List remain in force. Sponsors and applicants planning 2026 applications should treat the white paper proposals as a watching brief, with transitional provisions likely once enacted.

What this means in practice

Consider a software engineer in India offered a UK role with a sponsoring tech company in February 2026. The role is at SOC code 2136, on the RQF 6 end of the eligible occupation list, with a salary of GBP 52,000. The sponsor assigns a certificate of sponsorship in March. The applicant submits the Skilled Worker application in April with the CoS reference number, an English B1 SELT pass, and the Home Office fee of GBP 1,031 (3-year application from outside the UK) plus an Immigration Health Surcharge line of GBP 3,105 (3 years at GBP 1,035). The 70 points are scored: 20 sponsorship, 20 skill level, 10 English, 20 salary. The application is granted in May 2026 with leave for 3 years. The applicant becomes eligible for indefinite leave to remain in May 2031 under SW 21.1, subject to whatever rule version is in force at that time.

How we verified this

The paragraph structure of Appendix Skilled Worker was confirmed against gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-worker accessed in May 2026. The 2026 salary thresholds of GBP 38,700 (general) and GBP 30,960 (new entrant) trace to Statement of Changes HC 590, laid in March 2024 and listed in the GOV.UK Statements of Changes collection. The points framework is set out in tables 1 to 3 of the Appendix. The May 2025 white paper "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" was consulted in its published version on the GOV.UK publications service. Skill-level taxonomy traces to Appendix Skilled Occupations. The Migration Advisory Committee role is set out in section 70 of the Immigration Act 2014.

Frequently asked questions

What is Appendix Skilled Worker?

Appendix Skilled Worker is the dedicated Appendix of the Immigration Rules that governs Skilled Worker visa applications. It is structured in numbered paragraphs from SW 1.1 (purpose) through SW 21.1 (extension and settlement). It is read together with Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix English Language.

What is the 2026 Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The 2026 general salary threshold is GBP 38,700 and the new-entrant rate is GBP 30,960. These figures were set by Statement of Changes HC 590, laid in March 2024 and in force from 4 April 2024, and have not been changed in 2026. The going rate for the specific SOC code may be higher and is the binding figure where it is.

How many points do I need for a Skilled Worker visa?

70 points are required. 50 are mandatory: 20 for a sponsored job, 20 for the job being at RQF 3 skill level or above, and 10 for English language at B1. The remaining 20 tradeable points are scored on salary, shortage occupation, PhD relevance, or new-entrant status against the matrix in tables 1 to 3 of the Appendix.

What skill level is required under Appendix Skilled Worker?

The current skill threshold is RQF 3, A-level equivalent, applied through the list in Appendix Skilled Occupations. The May 2025 white paper proposed raising this to RQF 6 (degree level) but that change had not been laid before Parliament as of May 2026. The route currently includes a broader set of roles than the pre-2020 Tier 2 (General) route.

Does the immigration salary list still exist in 2026?

Yes. The Immigration Salary List, which replaced the older shortage occupation list under HC 590, remains in force in 2026. The May 2025 white paper proposed replacing it with a narrower Temporary Shortage List, but that proposal had not been enacted by May 2026.

When does an applicant qualify for ILR on the Skilled Worker route?

After 5 years of continuous lawful residence on the Skilled Worker route, subject to SW 21.1 requirements, including continuing sponsorship, the salary threshold at the date of settlement application, and the Knowledge of Language and Life requirement. The May 2025 white paper proposed extending this to 10 years, but the change is not yet in force.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker
• GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa
• Home Office: Restoring Control over the Immigration System (May 2025 white paper)
• GOV.UK: Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules