- The general salary threshold is 38,700 pounds per year (or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher), raised in April 2024.
- A job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor is mandatory; applicants cannot apply without one.
- SOC 2020 codes determine which roles are eligible and what the going rate is.
- The application fee from outside the UK starts at 719 pounds for roles up to 3 years, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Settlement (ILR) is available after 5 years on the route.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The Skilled Worker Visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020. It allows overseas nationals to work in the UK for a licensed employer in an eligible occupation. Major changes introduced in April 2024 raised the general salary threshold to 38,700 pounds and tightened the going-rate requirements. Understanding SOC codes, sponsor eligibility and the points-based criteria is essential before applying.
How the Points-Based System Works
The Skilled Worker Visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants must score 70 points to qualify, made up of 50 mandatory points (valid job offer from a licensed sponsor at 20 points, job at required skill level RQF3 or above at 20 points, English language requirement met at 10 points) and 20 tradeable points (meeting the salary threshold).
The tradeable points element means that in some circumstances, specifically shortage occupations, applicants may qualify at a lower salary. However, the Shortage Occupation List was abolished in April 2024 and replaced with the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which offers a more limited discount. The ISL allows eligible roles to qualify at 90 percent of the general threshold or going rate rather than 80 percent.
The 38,700 Pound Salary Threshold
From 4 April 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker applications increased from 26,200 pounds to 38,700 pounds. The actual salary required is the higher of 38,700 pounds per year (general threshold) or the specific going rate for the SOC code assigned to the role.
New entrant rates (for applicants in the early stages of their career, recent graduates, or those switching from student leave) are set at 70 percent of the general threshold and 70 percent of the going rate, giving a minimum new entrant rate of 30,960 pounds in 2026. Roles on the Immigration Salary List must meet 90 percent of the general and going-rate thresholds.
SOC Codes and Eligible Occupations
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) codes are the mechanism by which the Home Office determines whether a job is eligible and what salary is required. Every eligible occupation has a 4-digit SOC code listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.
When applying, the sponsor assigns the appropriate SOC code to the role on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The Home Office then checks the salary against the going rate table for that code. Applicants should verify the code their sponsor intends to use matches their actual job duties. Misclassification can result in refusal or enforcement action against the sponsor.
A full searchable list of eligible occupations and their going rates is published on GOV.UK as part of the Skilled Worker visa guidance.
Finding a Licensed Sponsor
Applicants cannot apply for a Skilled Worker Visa without a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors. The register is publicly searchable on GOV.UK and is updated regularly. Employers must hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence to issue a CoS. Each CoS has a unique reference number that the applicant includes in the visa application. Job offers obtained outside of the register are not valid for Skilled Worker Visa purposes, regardless of how the offer was made.
Application Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge
As of May 2026, Skilled Worker Visa fees from outside the UK are 719 pounds for visas up to 3 years and 1,420 pounds for visas over 3 years. These fees apply per person. Dependants applying at the same time pay the same fee.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is 1,035 pounds per year of leave granted. For a standard 3-year visa, this amounts to 3,105 pounds. Payment is made during the online application. Healthcare workers employed by the NHS or adult social care sector are exempt from the IHS under current rules.
Certificate of Sponsorship: What It Is and How It Works
The Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It is created by the licensed sponsor in the Home Office Sponsorship Management System and carries a unique reference number. The CoS must confirm the job title and SOC code, the annual salary, start date and duration of employment, and whether it is a defined CoS (for out-of-country applications) or undefined CoS (for in-country switching). The CoS is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned. The visa application must be submitted within this window.
Route to Settlement
Skilled Worker Visa holders can apply for ILR after completing 5 years continuous residence in the UK on the route. At ILR application stage, the applicant must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the 5 years, continue to be working for a licensed sponsor in an eligible role, pass the Life in the UK Test, meet the English language requirement at B1 level or above, and not have fallen below the salary threshold during the qualifying period. After obtaining ILR, applicants can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months.
Bringing Dependants
A spouse or civil partner and dependent children under 18 can usually accompany or join a Skilled Worker Visa holder. Dependants must apply separately and pay their own application fees and IHS. The income threshold for bringing dependants is met by the main applicant's qualifying salary; dependants do not need to be separately sponsored.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker Visa in 2026?
The general threshold is 38,700 pounds per year, or the going rate for the specific SOC code, whichever is higher. New entrants may qualify at a reduced rate of 30,960 pounds. Roles on the Immigration Salary List require 90 percent of the applicable threshold.
Can applicants bring their family on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes. A spouse or civil partner and dependent children under 18 can usually apply as dependants. Each dependant must submit a separate application and pay their own fees and Immigration Health Surcharge.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record created by a licensed UK employer. It contains the job details, salary and SOC code and must be referenced in the visa application. Without a valid CoS the application cannot proceed.
How long does the Skilled Worker Visa last?
The visa is granted for the duration of the job offer plus 14 days, up to a maximum of 5 years. It can be extended and, after 5 years on the route, the holder can apply for ILR.
Is the NHS exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Healthcare workers employed by the NHS or in eligible adult social care roles are currently exempt from paying the IHS. The exemption must be confirmed by the employer on the CoS.
How We Verified This Article
Information was verified against the Home Office Skilled Worker visa guidance on GOV.UK, Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules, and the Home Office Immigration Salary List published in 2024. Fee data was cross-referenced with the UKVI fee schedule current as of May 2026.
