UK: 2026 Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds

The UK Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold is currently £41,700 per year — or 100% of the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. This applies to most Skilled Worker applications from July 2025 onwards.

For HR teams and hiring managers, this guide covers:

• The current threshold and how it's calculated
• Reduced thresholds for new entrants, PhD holders, and ISL roles
• The going rate test and how it interacts with the general minimum
• What UK skilled workers must be paid each pay period to stay compliant
• Total employer cost breakdown, including NI and pension

Salary threshold tiers and exceptions (2026 view)

While £41,700 is now the anchor for most Skilled Worker cases, several important reduced thresholds and exceptions remain in place in 2026, depending on the role, qualifications, and route.​

• PhD holders
  For certain roles where a relevant PhD is demonstrably linked to the job, a reduced minimum can apply, currently £37,500 for a PhD in a relevant subject, with lower thresholds in some STEM/shortage scenarios where permitted by the rules.​
• Part‑time and pro‑rated salaries
  Part‑time roles can be sponsored if the total annual salary is pro‑rated from a full‑time equivalent that meets the general and going‑rate thresholds, and the hourly pay still meets or exceeds the applicable minimum (for many roles, £17.13 per hour).​
• New entrants and Immigration Salary List roles
  New entrants and certain roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) benefit from lower thresholds, with some categories set at £33,400 where the role, age, and career stage criteria are met. These discounts are more tightly controlled in 2026, so accurate SOC coding and eligibility checks are critical before relying on them.​
• Health and Care visa roles
  Health and Care Worker Visa roles follow separate salary structures. See our Health and Care Visa guide.

What Must UK Skilled Workers Be Paid Each Pay Period?

The Home Office requires that sponsored workers are paid the required salary in each individual pay period — not just on an annualised average. This is a critical compliance point that catches employers out.

In practice this means:

If a sponsored worker receives less than the required amount in any single pay period — even due to unpaid leave, deductions, or late payment — the employer is in breach of sponsor duties. UKVI can audit payroll records going back four years.

What counts towards the salary threshold:

• Basic salary ✓
• Guaranteed allowances (e.g. London weighting) ✓

What does not count:

• Overtime (unless guaranteed in the contract) ✗
• Bonuses (unless guaranteed) ✗
• Benefits in kind ✗
• Expenses reimbursements ✗

UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds at a Glance (2026)

Beyond the base: how thresholds really work now

The £41,700 figure is only one half of the equation; in 2026, sponsors must still pay whichever is higher of:​

• The absolute minimum: £41,700 for standard Skilled Worker cases
• The occupation‑specific minimum: the going rate for the SOC code, usually expressed as an annual salary and an hourly rate

Budget Planning Matrix

Organizations should evaluate international recruitment using this framework:

Salary Threshold Lookup by SOC Code

Find the going rate and minimum salary your sponsored worker must earn, based on their Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) code.

• Standard Minimum (Option A): £41,700 (or going rate if higher)
• New Entrant / ISL (Option E): £33,400 (+ 70% of going rate)
• Health & Care Standard (Option F): £31,300 (+ 100% of going rate)
• Hourly Floor (Table 1): £17.13/hr (Max 48 hrs/week applies)

Disclaimer:

Immigration laws and policies change frequently and may vary by country or nationality. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend doing your own due diligence or consulting official sources. You're also welcome to contact us directly for the latest guidance. Jobbatical is not responsible for decisions made based on the information provided.

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