UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds Guide 2026
2026 guide to Home Office Skilled Worker salary rules: £41,700 standard threshold, £33,400 New Entrant threshold, relevant PhD discounts, Immigration Salary List rates, SOC 2020 going rates, transitional salary rules and settlement.
1. Executive Summary & 2026 Salary Rules
The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary sponsored employment route to live and work in the UK. Applications require meeting strict 2026 minimum salary thresholds.
2. Salary Threshold Option Matrix (Points Tradeable)
The table below outlines points-tradeable salary discount options:
| Salary Option / Category | General Threshold | Going Rate Percentage | Who Qualifies? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option A: Standard Skilled Worker | £41,700 | 100% of SOC Going Rate | Applicants using the standard salary option |
| Option B: Relevant PhD Holder | £37,500 | 90% of SOC Going Rate | Holds a relevant PhD and the occupation is eligible for the PhD discount |
| Option C: Relevant STEM PhD Holder | £33,400 | 80% of SOC Going Rate | Holds a relevant STEM PhD and the occupation is eligible for the PhD discount |
| Option D: Immigration Salary List (ISL) | £33,400 | 100% of SOC Going Rate | Job is on the current Immigration Salary List and the relevant eligibility requirements are met |
| Option E: New Entrant | £33,400 | 70% of SOC Going Rate | Eligible New Entrants, including qualifying under-26 applicants and qualifying Student/Graduate-route applicants |
3. The Immigration Salary List (ISL) Replacements
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) remains part of the current Skilled Worker rules. ISL jobs receive a 20% reduction in the general salary threshold, giving a £33,400 general threshold for the current standard salary options, but the applicant must still meet the full applicable SOC 2020 going rate. The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is a separate mechanism for certain medium-skilled occupations.
4. Employer Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirements
Employers must assign the appropriate Defined or Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and state the sponsored occupation, SOC 2020 code, working pattern and salary. The salary must satisfy the applicable Skilled Worker salary option and going-rate requirements.
5. New Entrant 4-Year Limit
New Entrant status is not simply another name for a first Skilled Worker application. Eligible applicants can include people under 26, certain postdoctoral workers, people working towards qualifying professional or chartered status, and qualifying recent Student or Graduate-route applicants. A person cannot rely on the New Entrant salary option if the grant would cause their combined permission as a Skilled Worker, Tier 2 Migrant or Graduate to exceed 4 years in total.
6. Transitional Salary Rules for Earlier Skilled Workers
Lower salary requirements can apply to certain workers whose first Skilled Worker or Tier 2 certificate of sponsorship was assigned before 4 April 2024 and who have continuously held relevant Skilled Worker permission since then. These transitional provisions include a £31,300 general threshold and lower going-rate rules in qualifying cases and can remain relevant to applications made before 4 April 2030.
7. How Part-Time Salary and Going Rates Are Calculated
Occupation going rates are generally published on a 37.5-hour working-week basis and are pro-rated for the worker's actual weekly hours. The general salary calculation has separate rules and uses actual gross earnings, with a maximum of 48 hours per week for that calculation. Applicants should therefore compare their proposed salary against the correct salary option, occupation going rate and working pattern rather than use a simple full-time-equivalent test.
Essential Summary & 2026 Checklist
- Standard minimum salary is £41,700 per year AND the full SOC 2020 going rate, unless an approved alternative salary option applies.
- Eligible New Entrants can qualify for a reduced £33,400 general threshold and 70% of the applicable going rate.
- Eligible relevant PhD holders can qualify for 90% or 80% of the going rate depending on the PhD category, with the corresponding £37,500 or £33,400 general threshold.
- A £17.13 per-hour floor applies to the relevant going-rate calculation where the applicable going rate or permitted discounted going rate would otherwise be lower.
- The Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement after 5 years if all applicable settlement requirements, including continuous residence, sponsorship and salary requirements, are met.
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
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