Following its announcement in December 2023, the UK Government is increasing the minimum salary thresholds for a number of UK work visas with effect from 4 April 2024.
Skilled Worker Minimum Salary Increases
The minimum salary thresholds for a UK Skilled Worker visa application will rise from 4 April 2024 as follows:
| Option | Description | Salary Requirements | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
Salary only (no discounts) |
The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
|
20 |
| B |
Relevant PhD (10% discount on general threshold and going rate) |
The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| C |
Relevant PhD in a STEM subject (20% discount on general threshold and going rate) |
The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| D |
Job in Appendix Immigration Salary List (20% discount on general threshold only) |
The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| E |
New entrant (20% discount on general threshold and 30% discount on going rate) |
The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| F |
Salary only (no discounts) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] |
The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| G |
Relevant PhD (10% discount on general threshold and going rate) |
The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
|
20 |
| H |
Relevant PhD in a STEM subject (20% salary on general threshold and going rate) |
The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
|
20 |
| I | Job in Appendix Immigration Salary List (20% discount on general threshold only) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
|
20 |
| J |
New entrant (20% discount on general threshold and 30% discount on going rate) |
The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
|
20 |
| K |
Eligible health or education occupation code |
The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:
|
20 |
New Categories of Applicant
Under the new rules, the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold will be divided into two categories. The first threshold applies to new Skilled Worker applicants applying for their first Skilled Worker visa, while the second applies to existing Skilled Worker visa holders making new applications, such as extensions or changes of employer.
Salary threshold for new Skilled Worker visa applicants
From 4 April 2024, the salary threshold for most new applicants is £38,700. This is an increase on the previous £26,200.
A lower, discounted threshold of £30,960 applies for roles listed on the new Immigration Salary List, or if the applicant is a new entrant to the labour market.
Eligible applicants relying on a relevant PhD will now have to earn £34,830, and those relying on a relevant STEM PhD, the new minimum threshold is £30,960.
Salary threshold for existing Skilled Worker visa applicants
The salary threshold of £29,000 applies from 4 April 2024 for existing Skilled Worker visa holders who are making new applications, such as extensions or changing their employer.
Salary threshold for Health and Care Workers
The salary threshold for Health and Care Worker visa holders is also increasing, and from 4 April 2024 will be £23,200 (up from £20,960) or the national pay scale for the role, whichever is higher.
Workers applying for a role that is not on a national pay scale will have to meet a general annual salary threshold of £29,000. Lower threshold may be available where specific requirements are met, as we detail here.
These new thresholds apply when applying for a first Health and Care Worker visa or when extending permission.
Skilled Worker Going Rates
Higher going rates reflecting the most recent UK salary data will apply to Skilled Worker applications made on or after 4 April 2024. These new rates are being set out in two new tables, due to be published on 4 April.
Table 1 will cover the going rates applicable to new Skilled Worker applicants, while Table 2 will specify the lower going rates for existing Skilled Worker visa holders when making a new application.
In addition, the new going rates have been set to incorporate the minimum hourly rate requirement. Currently, this is £10.75 per hour for the majority of applicants, but from 4 April, this separate requirement is being removed. From 4 April, for roles in Table 1, the minimum hourly rate will be £15.88, while roles in Table 2 will be set at £11.90.
SOC Codes
Occupation codes are also being revised in line with the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 codes, replacing the 2010 codes. Job roles that are eligible for sponsorship will have a different code under the new system.
Global Business Mobility Minimum Salary Increases
From 4 April 2024, the general minimum salary threshold for Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes will rise to £48,500, up from £45,800. The salary threshold for Graduate Trainees also increases to £25,410, from £24,220.
Scale Up Visa Minimum Salary Increase
The salary threshold for the Scale-up route increases from £34,600 to £36,300 from 4 April 2024.
Need assistance?
If you have any queries about the new UK visa minimum salary thresholds, or any other issues relating to visa sponsorship, work visas or meeting the relevant salary requirement, contact our UK immigration experts.
Last updated: 20 March 2024
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
