What Is the Minimum Salary for a UK Skilled Worker Visa in 2025?

From July 22, 2025, the general minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker Visa has increased significantly. You typically need to earn at least £41,700 per year. This is a crucial threshold. If your job offer is below this, you may not qualify unless specific exceptions apply.

Consider your gross annual salary. This is your pay before taxes and other deductions. The Home Office uses this figure. Make sure your job contract clearly states your annual salary.

This figure of £41,700 also has an hourly equivalent. You must earn at least £17.13 per hour, based on a maximum 48-hour work week. Both the annual and hourly rates are important. Your salary needs to meet the higher of the general threshold or the “going rate” for your specific job.

Do you know your job’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code? This code links to a specific “going rate,” which is the average salary for that type of role. You must meet both the general minimum and your job’s specific going rate, whichever is higher.

How Is Salary Calculated for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The Home Office primarily considers your guaranteed gross basic pay when calculating your salary for the Skilled Worker Visa. This means what you are contractually assured to receive.

Here are key points about salary calculation:

• Basic Pay: This forms the core of your salary assessment. It must be clearly stated in your employment contract.
• Guaranteed Bonuses: If your contract guarantees a bonus, and it is not discretionary, it can sometimes be included. However, this is assessed strictly.
• Excluded Payments: Many payments do not count towards the salary threshold. These include:
  • Discretionary bonuses.
  • Overtime pay, unless it is guaranteed and forms a fixed part of your regular remuneration.
  • Most allowances, like accommodation, travel, or food allowances.
  • One-off payments.
  • Any repayments you make to your sponsor, for example, for loans related to immigration costs.

The Home Office typically assumes a 37.5-hour work week for salary calculations. If you work fewer or more hours, your hourly rate will be checked against the minimum hourly requirement. For example, if you work part-time, your pro-rated annual salary still needs to meet the minimum hourly rate when calculated over your actual contracted hours.

It is your responsibility to ensure your employer’s offer clearly breaks down your pay. A clear, well-structured pay slip and contract are essential.

Can I Use Allowances to Meet the Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold?

In most cases, you cannot use allowances to meet the Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold. The Home Office has clear rules on what counts as eligible salary.

The general rule is that only guaranteed gross basic pay is considered. Allowances like those for accommodation, travel, or subsistence are generally excluded. Even if these allowances are paid regularly, they are often not considered part of your core salary for visa purposes.

For instance, if your employer offers a housing allowance, this amount will likely not be added to your basic salary when assessing if you meet the minimum threshold. Your basic annual pay must meet the required amount on its own or with only very specific, guaranteed contractual bonuses.

Recent changes have also made it clear that any money you pay back to your sponsor, such as for visa costs or business investments, will be deducted from your salary when assessing if you meet the threshold. This prevents a situation where an applicant effectively contributes to their own salary.

This strict approach aims to ensure that sponsored workers receive a genuine, fair salary that reflects the market rate for their job, independent of additional perks or repayments. Always confirm with your sponsor exactly what components of your remuneration will be counted.

What Counts as a “Going Rate” for Skilled Worker Jobs in the UK?

The “going rate” is a crucial aspect of the Skilled Worker Visa salary requirements. It represents the typical salary for a specific job in the UK. This rate is based on official data for different occupations.

Each job role has a unique Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The Home Office publishes tables that list the going rate for each SOC code. When you apply for your visa, your salary must be equal to or higher than both the general salary threshold (currently £41,700 per year) AND the going rate for your specific SOC code, whichever is the greater amount.

For example, if the general threshold is £41,700 but the going rate for your specific job (based on its SOC code) is £45,000, you must be paid at least £45,000. If your job’s going rate is £39,000, you must still be paid £41,700, as that is the higher figure.

The going rates are calculated based on a 37.5-hour working week. If your job involves a different number of hours, the going rate will be adjusted proportionally. For instance, if you work 20 hours a week, the pro-rated going rate would be half of the full-time rate. However, your actual annual salary still needs to meet the general minimum hourly rate.

Knowing your job’s SOC code and its corresponding going rate is vital for your visa application. Your employer should provide this information on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Always check the official government guidance for the most current going rates.

Do Healthcare Workers Have Different Salary Requirements for UK Visas?

Yes, healthcare workers often have different salary requirements for UK visas, particularly under the Health and Care Worker Visa route, which is a specific subset of the Skilled Worker Visa.

Many healthcare occupations, especially those paid according to national pay scales (like NHS Agenda for Change bands), have a lower general salary threshold. From July 22, 2025, the minimum salary threshold for eligible Health and Care Visa holders on national pay scales remains £25,000 per year or the going rate for their specific occupation, whichever is higher. They must also meet an hourly rate of at least £12.82.

It is important to note that specific roles within healthcare have their own going rates based on their SOC codes. You must meet your role’s going rate or the £25,000 threshold, whichever is higher. For roles not on national pay scales, the general Skilled Worker Visa thresholds often apply.

Another key benefit for Health and Care Visa applicants and their immediate family is the exemption from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This can mean significant savings.

Roles such as care workers and senior care workers (SOC codes 6135/6136) have specific salary requirements, often needing to meet the higher of £25,000 a year or £12.82 an hour, as well as 100% of their lower going rate.

If you are a healthcare professional, identify your specific occupation code and check the relevant guidance. This will confirm the exact salary you need to meet. Your sponsor, often an NHS trust or a private healthcare provider, will confirm these details on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

How Can Part-Time Work Affect Skilled Worker Visa Salary Eligibility?

Part-time work can affect your Skilled Worker Visa salary eligibility, but it is possible to qualify. The key is that your actual annual salary, when considered against your contracted hours, must meet the minimum hourly rate and the pro-rated going rate for your job.

When assessing a part-time role, the Home Office will check two things:

• Annual Salary vs. General Threshold: Your annual salary must still meet the general minimum annual threshold (currently £41,700 from July 22, 2025) or the pro-rated “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher.
• Hourly Rate: Your hourly pay, calculated from your annual salary and contracted part-time hours, must meet the minimum hourly rate of £17.13.

For example, if the full-time going rate for your job is £50,000 for a 37.5-hour week, and you are offered a part-time role for 20 hours a week, your pro-rated going rate would be £26,666.67 (20/37.5 * £50,000). However, your hourly rate must still be at least £17.13. So, for 20 hours a week, your annual salary would need to be at least £17,835.20 (20 hours * 52 weeks * £17.13). You must also meet the higher of the £41,700 general minimum or the pro-rated going rate. In this example, even though your pro-rated going rate is lower, you would still need to meet the general minimum of £41,700 unless you qualify for an exception (like being a new entrant).

The Home Office always bases the going rate on a 37.5-hour week. If you work fewer hours, your pro-rated salary needs to meet that adjusted going rate. Your employer must state your contracted hours clearly on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Ensure your employer understands these requirements when offering a part-time position. You must meet both the annual and hourly requirements, with careful consideration for how part-time hours impact the “going rate” calculation.

Is Overtime Included in the Skilled Worker Visa Salary Calculation?

Generally, overtime pay is not included in the Skilled Worker Visa salary calculation. The Home Office is clear that only your guaranteed basic gross pay counts towards the salary threshold.

Here is why overtime is usually excluded:

• Non-Guaranteed: Overtime is often not guaranteed in an employment contract. It depends on business needs and your willingness to work extra hours. Visa rules focus on consistent, guaranteed earnings.
• Variable Nature: Overtime pay can vary significantly from week to week or month to month. This variability makes it unreliable for meeting a fixed annual salary threshold.

Even if you regularly work overtime and earn a substantial amount from it, this extra income will likely not be considered when assessing your visa eligibility. Your basic salary, as stated in your contract, is the primary factor.

There is a narrow exception: if overtime is explicitly guaranteed as a fixed part of your employment terms, and it is regular and contractual, it might be considered. However, this is rare, and the Home Office scrutinises such cases closely. Do not rely on overtime to meet your salary requirement.

Focus on ensuring your basic annual salary, before any potential overtime, meets both the general minimum threshold and the “going rate” for your job. This gives you the best chance of a successful visa application.

What Happens If My Salary Drops Below the Minimum After My Visa Is Granted?

If your salary drops below the minimum threshold after your Skilled Worker Visa is granted, it can create a serious issue with your visa status. Your visa is granted based on your employer’s promise to pay you a specific salary that met the requirements at the time of your application.

Here is what you should know:

• Sponsor’s Obligations: Your sponsoring employer has a responsibility to continue paying you the salary declared on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or a salary that still meets the current minimum requirements. If your salary falls below this, your employer is breaching their sponsor duties.
• Reporting to Home Office: The Home Office expects sponsors to report significant changes, including a reduction in salary that would put you below the threshold.
• Visa Curtailment: If the Home Office becomes aware that you are no longer meeting the salary requirements, your visa could be “curtailed.” This means your visa would be cut short, and you would be required to leave the UK or apply for a different visa.
• Risk to Future Applications: A history of not meeting visa conditions can negatively impact any future UK visa applications.

If your salary is reduced for any reason, you should:

• Speak to your employer: Understand why the reduction occurred and if it is temporary.
• Seek legal advice: An immigration expert can advise you on your options and the potential consequences for your visa.

Do not ignore a salary drop. It is a serious matter that can jeopardise your right to live and work in the UK.

Are There Salary Exceptions for New Entrants on the Skilled Worker Route?

Yes, there are salary exceptions for “new entrants” on the Skilled Worker route. These exceptions allow individuals who are starting their careers or meet specific criteria to qualify with a lower salary than the general threshold.

From July 22, 2025, if you qualify as a new entrant, your salary must be at least £33,400 per year or 70% of the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. This is a significant reduction from the general £41,700 threshold. You must also meet the £17.13 per hour minimum.

Who qualifies as a new entrant? Generally, you can be considered a new entrant if you meet one of the following:

• Under 26: You are under 26 years old at the time of your visa application.
• Recent Graduate: You are a recent graduate from a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program.
• Postdoctoral Position: You are in a postdoctoral research position in science or higher education.
• Professional Training: You are working towards full registration or chartered status in a regulated profession relevant to your sponsored job.

This new entrant status, and the associated salary discount, is typically available for a maximum of four years. This four-year limit includes any time you have previously spent in the UK on a Graduate visa or a Skilled Worker visa (or its predecessor, Tier 2).

Employers sponsoring new entrants must be aware of these lower thresholds and the duration limit. After the four-year period, you would need to meet the standard, higher salary requirements for your occupation if you wish to extend your visa. This provision aims to support entry-level talent and recent graduates entering the UK workforce.

How Do I Prove My Salary Meets Home Office Visa Requirements?

Proving your salary meets Home Office visa requirements is a critical step in your Skilled Worker Visa application. The evidence you provide must be clear, consistent, and directly support the information on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Here is how you typically prove your salary:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer’s CoS is the primary piece of evidence. This digital document, assigned by your sponsor, will state your job title, SOC code, annual salary, and contracted hours. The Home Office uses this as the baseline.
• Employment Contract: You will need to provide a copy of your signed employment contract. This contract must clearly state your gross annual salary, your job title, and your contracted working hours. The salary in your contract must match or exceed the salary declared on your CoS.
• Payslips: If you are applying for an extension or switching within the UK and have already started working for your sponsor, you may be asked to provide recent payslips. These payslips must show consistent earnings that meet or exceed the required salary.
• Bank Statements: In some cases, you may be asked for bank statements to show that your salary has been paid into your account. These statements help verify the consistent payment of your declared salary.

Ensure all documents are consistent. The salary on your CoS, your employment contract, and your payslips should all align. Any discrepancies could lead to questions or delays from the Home Office.

It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure the salary they offer meets the requirements and to provide accurate information on your CoS. Your role is to ensure all supporting documents precisely reflect this information. If anything seems unclear, ask your employer for clarification before you submit your application.