Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: Home Office GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa | Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker | HC 1691 March 2026
⚡ TL;DR — Skip to what matters
The Skilled Worker visa minimum salary from 22 July 2025 is £41,700 per year OR 100% of the occupation's going rate (SOC code) — whichever is higher. From 8 January 2026, new applicants must also prove English at CEFR B2 (up from B1). From 8 April 2026, the Home Office can check salary compliance per pay period, not just annual salary. Exceptions exist for new entrants (£33,400), PhD holders (£37,500) and Immigration Salary List roles (£33,400).
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
- Standard minimum: £41,700/year or 100% of going rate for SOC code — whichever is higher
- New entrant rate: £33,400 (under 26, or switching from Student/Graduate visa, or first job in new career)
- PhD (relevant, non-STEM): £37,500 minimum
- PhD (STEM) / Immigration Salary List roles: £33,400 minimum
- English language: B2 CEFR for new applicants from 8 January 2026 (extending existing SW visa: B1 still applies)
- Skill level: RQF Level 6 (graduate level) from 22 July 2025 — most sub-degree roles no longer eligible
- Pay-period rules (from 8 April 2026): salary assessed per pay period under HC 1691, not just annually
- Immigration Skills Charge: £1,320/year for large sponsors (32% increase from December 2025)
- Source: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa | Home Office HC 1691 Statement of Changes March 2026
The 70-point scoring system
Every Skilled Worker visa application is assessed against a 70-point threshold. Points are awarded as follows:
| Criterion | Points | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer from a licensed sponsor (Certificate of Sponsorship) | 20 | Yes |
| Job at RQF Level 6 or above | 20 | Yes |
| English language at required level (B2 for new applicants) | 10 | Yes |
| Salary at or above general threshold (£41,700) and going rate | 20 | For most cases |
The mandatory 50 points (sponsor, skill level, English) cannot be substituted. The salary-based 20 points are earned by meeting the higher of the general threshold or the going rate. In most 2026 cases this means £41,700 plus the going rate check — both must be met simultaneously.
The going rate requirement
Each Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code has a specific "going rate" published by the Home Office in the Appendix Skilled Worker tables. The going rate is the median salary for that occupation, updated periodically using Office for National Statistics data. Your salary must meet both the £41,700 general floor and 100% of the going rate for your SOC code. If the going rate is £50,000 and the general threshold is £41,700, you must be paid £50,000.
Common high-value going rates in 2026 include software developers, doctors, engineers and senior financial professionals — all significantly above £41,700. For roles where the going rate is below £41,700, the general floor applies instead.
New pay-period compliance rules from 8 April 2026
Statement of Changes HC 1691 (March 2026) introduced paragraph SW 14.3B into Appendix Skilled Worker. From 8 April 2026, the Home Office assesses salary compliance across defined pay periods — not just against an annual figure on a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Workers paid monthly: salary over any 3-month period must be at least one quarter of the annual minimum
- Workers paid more frequently: salary over any 12-week period must equal at least 12/52 of the annual minimum
- Variable pay (commission, overtime, bonuses): does not count toward the salary threshold — only guaranteed basic pay is assessed
This change catches employers who relied on commission-heavy packages to meet the headline salary figure. HR teams must ensure base salaries — not total compensation — meet the threshold in every pay period.
English language: B1 vs B2 in 2026
| Applicant type | Required level | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| New Skilled Worker application (first-time) | B2 CEFR | 8 January 2026 |
| Extending existing Skilled Worker visa (same route) | B1 CEFR | No change |
| Nationals of majority English-speaking countries | Exempt | Always |
| UK degree holders | Exempt | Always |
| Overseas degree taught in English (UK ENIC verified) | Exempt | Always |
B2 is assessed across all four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Approved tests include IELTS for UKVI (minimum 5.5 in each component), PTE Academic for UKVI, and LanguageCert International ESOL SELT.
Visa brake: restricted nationalities
From 26 March 2026, nationals of Afghanistan cannot make new Skilled Worker visa applications from overseas under the government's emergency "visa brake." In-country extension applications remain available. Check GOV.UK for the current list of affected nationalities as the brake is reviewed regularly.
Frequently asked questions
If my going rate is £38,000 and the general threshold is £41,700, which applies?
The general threshold of £41,700 applies — you must be paid whichever is higher. The going rate floor only bites above £41,700.
Can my employer include a housing allowance to meet the salary threshold?
No. Only guaranteed basic gross salary (and certain guaranteed allowances like London weighting, where contractually guaranteed) counts. Discretionary bonuses, commission and benefits in kind do not count.
My Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 8 April 2026 — do the pay-period rules apply to me?
Generally no. The HC 1691 transitional provisions state that applications decided under pre-8 April 2026 rules continue under the old framework if the CoS was issued before that date. Check with your sponsor or an immigration adviser for your specific circumstances.
What happens if my employer pays me below threshold in one month?
From 8 April 2026, a single-period shortfall can put your sponsor in breach. Your employer must report material changes in salary to UKVI within 10 working days. Persistent shortfalls risk sponsor licence curtailment and your visa being cancelled.
Can I switch to Skilled Worker from within the UK?
Yes — most people in the UK on a valid visa can switch to Skilled Worker without leaving. You must meet all requirements including salary, skill level, English language and have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer.
Sources & References
- Home Office — Skilled Worker visa overview: gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
- Home Office — Skilled Worker visa: your job (salary): gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
- Home Office Statement of Changes HC 1691, March 2026 (pay-period rules)
- Home Office — Immigration Skills Charge: gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers/immigration-skills-charge
- Davidson Morris — Skilled Worker visa 2026 guide
- Jobbatical — UK Skilled Worker visa salary threshold employer guide 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. UK visa rules change frequently — always verify at GOV.UK before applying. For more guides visit our UK Visa hub.
