UK Immigration Points Calculator Guide 2026

Understand the current points structures for Skilled Worker, Global Talent, High Potential Individual (HPI) and Scale-up routes, with a simplified Skilled Worker points estimator.

Simplified Immigration Points Estimator

This calculator is deliberately simplified. It illustrates the headline points structure and does not replace the Home Office Immigration Rules or determine visa eligibility.

Current 2026 Immigration Points Overview

The UK points-based immigration system is not one universal calculator. Each immigration route has its own eligibility rules and points structure. The Skilled Worker route has the clearest mandatory/tradeable model, while Global Talent, HPI and Scale-up use different route-specific arrangements.

Route	Headline points	Structure
Skilled Worker	70	50 mandatory + 20 tradeable
Global Talent	70	Route-specific 70-point award
High Potential Individual	70	50 degree + 10 English + 10 finance
Scale-up Worker	70	50 route requirement + 10 English + 10 finance

Skilled Worker: 50 Mandatory Points

Requirement	Points	2026 explanation
Sponsorship	20	Valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the relevant approved sponsor.
Appropriate skill level	20	The occupation must meet the current Skilled Worker skill-level and eligible-occupation rules, subject to transitional provisions.
English language	10	New applications generally require B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, subject to exemptions and specified transitional cases.

The current points table requires all 50 mandatory points before the 20 tradeable points can complete the normal 70-point total.

Skilled Worker: Tradeable Salary Points

Option	Current headline salary threshold	Additional condition	Points
A — Standard	£41,700	Full applicable going rate	20
B — Relevant PhD	£37,500	90% of applicable going rate and relevant PhD	20
C — Relevant STEM PhD	£33,400	80% of applicable going rate and relevant STEM PhD	20
D — Immigration Salary List	£33,400	Full applicable going rate and an eligible ISL role	20
E — New entrant	£33,400	70% of applicable going rate and valid new-entrant status	20

These figures are headline route thresholds. The actual calculation must also consider the occupation's applicable going rate, hours, occupation code and any special or transitional provisions.

Who counts as a new entrant?

New-entrant status is broader than simply being under 26. Current Home Office guidance lists several qualifying circumstances for someone near the beginning of their career.

Under 26 on the date of application.
Certain qualifying postdoctoral research positions.
Working towards a recognised UK professional qualification in a UK-regulated profession.
Working towards full registration or chartered status where the applicable rules are satisfied.
Certain recent Graduate-route applicants.
Certain recent Student-route applicants who satisfy the specified course and timing requirements.

New-entrant eligibility is also subject to a four-year combined limit covering relevant Skilled Worker, Tier 2 and Graduate permission, subject to the detailed rules.

Other Points-Based Routes

Global Talent

Requires 70 points through route-specific methods such as a qualifying prestigious prize or an endorsement. It is not a Skilled Worker-style salary-points model.

High Potential Individual

Requires 70 mandatory points: 50 for the qualifying Global Universities List degree, 10 for English and 10 for finance.

Scale-up Worker

Requires 70 points. Sponsored applications use sponsorship, skill and salary for 50 points, plus English and finance. An unsponsored route can apply after meeting the required previous Scale-up employment and earnings conditions.

Salary List Changes in 2026

The Immigration Salary List remains part of the current Immigration Rules, but the government has announced its replacement by the Temporary Shortage List. This is part of wider changes following the increase in the Skilled Worker skill threshold.

Applicants should therefore check the version of Appendix Immigration Salary List and Appendix Skilled Worker in force on the actual application date. A job's presence or absence can also vary by occupation, UK nation and the exact criteria attached to the occupation code.

Frequently Asked Questions (6)

A Skilled Worker applicant must normally score 70 points: 50 mandatory points for sponsorship, an eligible job at the required skill level and English, plus 20 tradeable points under one of the permitted salary or qualification options. Meeting 70 points does not by itself guarantee a visa because suitability, validity, financial and other eligibility requirements also apply.

The current mandatory points are 20 for valid sponsorship, 20 for a job at the appropriate skill level and 10 for English-language ability. For a new Skilled Worker application, the English requirement is generally B2 in all four components. Certain applicants extending or updating a Skilled Worker permission granted under earlier rules can rely on B1.

The standard Skilled Worker salary option generally requires at least £41,700 a year and the full going rate for the occupation, subject to whichever relevant salary conditions apply. Discounted tradeable options can use lower thresholds, including £37,500 for a relevant non-STEM PhD, £33,400 for a relevant STEM PhD, £33,400 for qualifying Immigration Salary List roles and £33,400 for qualifying new entrants, together with the applicable percentage of the occupation going rate.

Being under 26 is one route to new-entrant status, but it is not the only one. Current Home Office guidance also covers certain postdoctoral positions, people working towards recognised UK professional qualifications, applicants working towards full professional registration or chartered status, recent Graduate-route applicants and specified recent Student-route applicants. A four-year combined limit can also restrict new-entrant eligibility.

The Immigration Salary List remains in the current Immigration Rules, but the government has announced that it is being replaced by the Temporary Shortage List as part of wider Skilled Worker reforms. Occupation availability and salary treatment therefore need to be checked against the current Home Office rules for the date of application rather than relying on an old ISL article or list.

No. Each route has its own points structure. Global Talent requires 70 points through route-specific methods such as qualifying prestigious-prize or endorsement provisions. HPI requires 70 mandatory points made up of a qualifying Global Universities List degree, English and finance. Scale-up requires 70 points, generally 50 for sponsorship/job/salary or the applicable unsponsored earnings route, plus 10 English and 10 financial points.

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Current Route Snapshot

Skilled Worker70 pts

Skilled Worker general salary£41,700

Skilled Worker EnglishB2*

HPI70 pts

Global Talent70 pts

Scale-up70 pts

*Specified transitional Skilled Worker applicants may rely on B1 under the relevant rules.

Important

This page is an educational guide and simplified estimator. It cannot determine visa eligibility. Always check the Immigration Rules, the applicable occupation code and current Home Office guidance for the application date.