About the Skilled Worker visa
The UK Skilled Worker visa replaced Tier 2 (General) in December 2020 and is the main route for non-UK nationals to take up sponsored skilled employment in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. From 4 April 2024 the general salary threshold rose from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, the steepest single uplift in the route's history. The Health and Care visa (a sub-route within Skilled Worker for eligible SOC codes) kept its lower GBP 23,200 floor, and discounted thresholds remain for new entrants and PhD-STEM occupations. Five years of continuous lawful Skilled Worker residence (with the salary still met at extension) qualifies the worker for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
How the salary check works
- Look up the applicable threshold for the route you chose. Standard Skilled Worker: GBP 38,700. New entrant or PhD-STEM or shortage occupation: GBP 30,960. Health and Care visa: GBP 23,200.
- Compare the salary to the threshold AND to the SOC-code going rate (which we approximate inside the calculator using the route base, the actual going rate must be verified per SOC code).
- Confirm the employer holds a Home Office sponsor licence and can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the specific role.
- Confirm B1 English (IELTS for UKVI 4.0+, degree taught in English, or majority-English-country nationality).
- Confirm maintenance funds (GBP 1,270 held 28+ days) unless the employer A-rated sponsor certifies them.
- Cost out visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge for the worker and all dependants. Add biometric (GBP 19.20) and optional priority fees.
2026 salary thresholds by visa route
The post-April-2024 floors, ordered from highest to lowest:
| Route | Salary floor | Going rate % | Visa fee 3yr | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Skilled Worker | £38,700 | 100% | £769 | Most common; raised 4 Apr 2024 |
| New entrant (under 26) | £30,960 | 80% | £769 | Switching from Student, max 4 yrs on rate |
| Shortage occupation list (limited) | £30,960 | 80% | £551 | Restricted post-April-2024 list |
| Health and Care visa | £23,200 | 70% | £284 | Eligible SOC codes only; IHS exempt |
| PhD-STEM occupation | £30,960 | 60% | £769 | STEM PhD relevant to role |
Family cost comparison: visa + IHS to ILR
Total cash outlay across the standard 5-year ILR path (initial 3-year visa + 2-year extension + ILR application), assuming the Standard Skilled Worker route at GBP 38,700+:
| Family size | Visa fees | IHS (5 yr) | ILR fee | Total to ILR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single adult | £2,288 | £5,175 | £3,029 | £10,492 |
| Adult + partner | £4,576 | £10,350 | £6,058 | £20,984 |
| Adult + partner + 1 child | £6,864 | £14,230 | £9,087 | £30,181 |
| Adult + partner + 2 children | £9,152 | £18,110 | £12,116 | £39,378 |
Indicative figures using 2026 Home Office fee schedule. IHS for children billed at GBP 776/year. ILR fee includes Life in the UK test and biometric.
Worked example: family of 4, software developer at GBP 60,000
A software developer (Standard Skilled Worker, SOC 2136) with a job offer of GBP 60,000, partner and 2 children, applying out-of-country for a 3-year initial visa.
- Salary check: GBP 60,000 vs threshold GBP 38,700 - clears by 55%.
- Visa fee: GBP 769 (applicant) + GBP 769 (partner) + GBP 769 + GBP 769 (2 children) = GBP 3,076.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: 2 adults × GBP 1,035 × 3 = GBP 6,210 + 2 children × GBP 776 × 3 = GBP 4,656. Total IHS = GBP 10,866.
- Biometric: GBP 19.20 × 4 = GBP 76.80.
- Total initial cost: approximately GBP 14,019 paid upfront before the family arrives in the UK.
- Extension at year 3: visa fee GBP 1,019 × 4 + IHS 2 × GBP 2,070 + 2 × GBP 1,552 = approximately GBP 11,320.
- ILR application year 5: GBP 3,029 × 4 = GBP 12,116.
- Total to ILR over 5 years: approximately GBP 37,455 in Home Office charges alone, before legal and translation costs.
Sponsor licence checklist for employers
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| UK presence | Trading legally in the UK with HMRC employer PAYE. |
| HR systems | Right-to-work checks, attendance monitoring, salary records, sponsor management system access. |
| Key personnel | Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 User must be UK-based and DBS-clear. |
| Application fee | GBP 536 (small/charity) or GBP 1,476 (medium/large). 4-year licence. |
| Genuine vacancy | Role must be on the eligible occupation list with appropriate skill level (RQF 3+) and salary. |
| Compliance | Report worker absence, job changes, salary cuts within 10 working days via SMS. |
How the going rate works alongside the salary floor
The GBP 38,700 figure is the floor, not always the binding constraint. Every eligible role has a SOC code with its own going rate calculated from ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data at the 25th percentile. The visa requires the higher of the floor and the SOC going rate.
- Software developer (SOC 2136): going rate approximately GBP 49,400, so the binding number is GBP 49,400 even though the floor is GBP 38,700.
- Care worker (SOC 6135): going rate approximately GBP 23,200, so the floor and going rate coincide on the Health and Care visa.
- Architect (SOC 2431): going rate approximately GBP 45,900 in 2026, ahead of the GBP 38,700 floor.
- Veterinary surgeon (SOC 2216): going rate approximately GBP 38,300, falling below the new floor, so the binding number is GBP 38,700.
The 80% discounts (new entrant, shortage occupation, PhD-STEM) apply to BOTH the floor and the going rate, but only down to the route-specific minimum (GBP 30,960). The 70% Health and Care discount applies similarly to GBP 23,200.
Common Skilled Worker mistakes that delay the visa
- Going rate ignored. Hitting the GBP 38,700 floor is necessary but not sufficient. If the SOC going rate is GBP 45,000, that is the binding number.
- CoS assigned before salary clear. Once assigned the CoS burns the sponsor's annual allocation. If salary is wrong the application fails and the slot is wasted.
- Maintenance funds in wrong account. The GBP 1,270 must be in the applicant's own name, in liquid form (current/savings) for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of application.
- Old occupation list used. The shortage occupation list contracted significantly post-April-2024. Many SOC codes that were on the old SOL are now on the standard list at GBP 38,700.
- English certificate expired. IELTS for UKVI is valid for 2 years from test date.
- Underestimating IHS. The Immigration Health Surcharge rose to GBP 1,035 per adult per year on 6 February 2024 - 60% above the previous GBP 624.
Skilled Worker vs Global Talent vs Innovator Founder routes
| Route | Sponsor | Salary floor | Path to ILR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes (employer) | £38,700 standard | 5 years |
| Health and Care visa | Yes (employer) | £23,200 | 5 years |
| Global Talent | No (endorsement) | None | 3-5 years |
| Innovator Founder | No (endorsement) | None (business) | 3 years |
| High Potential Individual | No | None | N/A (2 yr only) |
The formula explained
The eligibility decision tree applies four chained checks:
1. salary_ok = offer_salary >= max(route_floor, going_rate)
2. sponsor_ok = employer_has_licence AND CoS_assigned
3. english_ok = B1 CEFR proof (IELTS / degree / nationality)
4. funds_ok = GBP 1,270 held 28+ days OR A-rated sponsor certification
5. ELIGIBLE = salary_ok AND sponsor_ok AND english_ok AND funds_ok AND age >= 18
Cost stack: total_per_applicant = visa_fee + (IHS_annual × years) + biometric. Family total = single_adult + spouse_cost (if any) + (per_child × kids). ILR path adds extension fees at year 3 and the ILR application fee at year 5.
To verify: plug in (40000, standard, yes, yes, 28, msc, yes, no, 0, 3) - should report eligible, salary clears GBP 38,700 by GBP 1,300, single-adult initial cost approximately GBP 3,924.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK Skilled Worker visa salary threshold for 2026?
The standard Skilled Worker visa threshold is GBP 38,700 per year from 4 April 2024, or the job-specific going rate (whichever is higher). New entrants (under 26 or switching from the Student route within 2 years) face GBP 30,960. The Health and Care visa retains the lower GBP 23,200 floor. PhD-STEM occupations get a 60% going-rate discount with a floor of GBP 30,960.
How long does the Skilled Worker visa take to reach Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Five years of continuous lawful Skilled Worker residence qualifies you for Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided you still meet the salary threshold at extension and pass the Life in the UK test. Health and Care visa time counts toward the same 5-year ILR clock. Time on Student or Graduate visas does not count.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record issued by a Home Office licensed sponsor employer that gives a specific job offer to a specific worker, with the salary, hours, SOC code and start date. The CoS number must be referenced in the visa application and is valid for 3 months from assignment. Defined CoS (for out-of-country applicants) are allocated per year; undefined CoS (in-country switching) are uncapped.
Can I change employer on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Since 4 April 2024 you can switch employer without leaving the UK, provided the new role is on the eligible occupation list, the new employer holds a sponsor licence, and your salary meets the applicable threshold. You must update your visa via a Change of Employment application before starting work for the new sponsor. Cooling-off periods between sponsors were removed.
What is the 5-year route to ILR on Skilled Worker?
Continuous lawful Skilled Worker residence for 5 years, no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 months, salary still at threshold, sponsor still active, plus Life in the UK test pass and English at B1+. Health and Care visa time, and time on the same employer's pre-2020 Tier 2 visa, both count toward the 5 years.
How do dependants apply with Skilled Worker?
Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (with 2+ years cohabitation) plus children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each dependant pays a separate visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants can work without restriction in the UK, including in roles below the Skilled Worker threshold. Children born in the UK to a Skilled Worker visa holder can join the application.
What English language proofs are accepted?
You must demonstrate English at CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Accepted proofs include a Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI (overall 4.0, no skill below 4.0), Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, Trinity ISE I, a degree taught in English, or nationality of a majority-English-speaking country. The Health and Care visa accepts the same evidence.
Skilled Worker vs Health and Care visa - which is right?
The Health and Care visa is a sub-route within Skilled Worker for eligible SOC codes (doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, senior care workers). It retains GBP 23,200 salary floor, reduced visa fees (GBP 284 for 3 years) and full IHS exemption. If your role is on the Health and Care list, this route is materially cheaper than standard Skilled Worker.