The Home Office increased the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024.. Some roles have lower thresholds based on SOC codes.
UK Skilled Worker salary threshold raised to £38,700
On 4 April 2024, the UK Home Office implemented significant changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The general salary threshold increased from £26,200 to £38,700 per year at that time. This applied to most Skilled Worker applications.
Going rates vary by occupation.
The actual minimum salary for your role is whichever is higher: the current general threshold or the "going rate" for your specific SOC code. Going rates are set by UKVI for each Standard Occupational Classification code and are based on ONS ASHE data.
Health and Care Worker route: lower threshold.
The Health and Care Worker visa maintains a lower threshold than the general route, assessed against national pay scales for eligible occupations on the Health and Care Worker list. If your role is not on that list, the standard general threshold applies.
What to check on your CoS.
Verify that the salary figure on your Certificate of Sponsorship meets or exceeds the current threshold for your specific SOC code. If it does not, your visa application will be refused regardless of other factors. SponsorShield checks this automatically against current UKVI requirements.
Some fraudulent CoS documents appear convincing at first glance. SponsorShield verifies your document against official UK government records: the UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors, Companies House, and current UKVI salary requirements.
Not sure if your CoS is real?
Independent verification against official UK records (free).
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