Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold and Exceptions (2025 Update)​

At Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, our immigration specialists closely monitor every change in UK immigration law to provide accurate, timely guidance. Below, we will discuss the new salary thresholds, eligibility criteria, and exception categories under the Skilled Worker Visa rules effective from 22 July 2025.

Key Takeaways

• The Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold is now £41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher.
• Exceptions apply for PhD holders, new entrants, ISL-listed roles, and Health & Care Workers.
• The Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaces the Shortage Occupation List with reduced pay requirements.
• Employers must use the correct SOC code and comply with all sponsorship requirements.
• Always check the latest Home Office guidance before applying or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.

The Purpose of the Salary Threshold

The Skilled Worker Visa enables UK employers to hire overseas professionals to fill genuine vacancies that cannot be met by the domestic workforce.

However, this route is not designed to facilitate low-paid work. The salary threshold ensures that sponsored roles reflect skilled, fairly compensated positions within the UK market.

The Home Office uses this mechanism to:

• Maintain wage integrity across sectors;
• Prevent undercutting of domestic labour;
• Align migration policy with the UK’s economic priorities.

The 2025 Salary Threshold: What Changed

From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary threshold for most new Skilled Worker Visa applicants rose to £41,700 per year, up from £38,700.

This increase forms part of a wider government initiative to reduce overall migration and raise salary expectations for sponsored roles. The rule applies to all Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) issued on or after 22 July 2025.

Transitional Arrangements

If a CoS was issued before 22 July 2025, the previous rules (such as the £38,700 threshold) can still apply. This means employers and applicants should pay careful attention to the CoS issue date when calculating salary requirements.

The “Higher Of” Rule Explained

A common misconception is that meeting the general salary threshold alone guarantees eligibility. In reality, the Home Office applies a “higher of” rule:

An applicant must earn at least the general threshold (£41,700) or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher.

What Is the ‘Going Rate’?

Each eligible occupation is assigned a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, with a specific “going rate” determined by the Office for National Statistics.
For example:

• Software developers may have a higher going rate than the general threshold.
• Care workers may fall under different pay scales.

Salaries are assessed on a full-time basis. Over time, bonuses or allowances cannot be used to meet the threshold. Only the guaranteed base salary counts.

You can read about: Can Remote & Hybrid Workers Qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa?

Salary Exceptions and Lower Thresholds (Discounted Routes)

While £41,700 is now the default threshold, several exception routes allow qualified applicants to earn less, provided they meet specific conditions. These exceptions are not loopholes — they recognise that certain roles or candidates bring additional value to the UK labour market.

a. PhD-Qualified Applicants

Holders of doctoral qualifications can benefit from reduced salary requirements, provided their degree is relevant to the sponsored role.

• Non-STEM PhD: Minimum salary £37,500 (approximately 90% of the standard threshold).
• STEM PhD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): Minimum salary £33,400 (around 80% of the standard threshold).

Applicants must clearly demonstrate the link between their PhD and the job description. For example, a PhD in data science would be relevant to a software engineering role but not to an unrelated managerial position.

b. New Entrants to the Labour Market

“New entrants” are individuals at the start of their careers who are given slightly more flexibility to access the Skilled Worker route. This category includes:

• Applicants aged under 26;
• Graduates switching from a Student or Graduate Visa;
• Trainees working towards professional qualifications;
• Individuals entering postdoctoral research positions.

Minimum salary: around 70% of the standard threshold. 

c. Immigration Salary List (ISL) – Replacing the Shortage Occupation List

The previous Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced in 2024 by the Immigration Salary List (ISL), refined in 2025 to focus on genuine workforce shortages.

Roles on the ISL benefit from a discounted salary rate, generally £33,400 or 80% of the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.

Examples of roles that may appear on the ISL include:

• Certain engineering and IT specialisms;
• Construction management;
• Some healthcare and education roles.

However, the ISL is reviewed regularly, and roles can be added or removed depending on market demand. Employers and applicants must always verify the current ISL version before applying.

d. Health and Care Worker Route

Healthcare professionals continue to benefit from dedicated lower thresholds due to national demand and NHS pay structures.

Typical thresholds:

• At least £25,000 or the going rate for the specific role, whichever is higher.
• Applies to roles such as nurses, doctors, care workers, and allied health professionals.

Although the threshold is lower, the standards for sponsorship, English language ability, and job eligibility remain rigorous.

Get to know more about: Skilled Worker Visa Cost by Country (India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines)

How Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors Can Help

Immigration law is complex, and recent salary reforms have added further layers of detail. Whether you are an employer navigating sponsorship duties or an individual applicant seeking to understand your options, expert legal guidance can make a decisive difference.

Our team at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors provides:

• Tailored visa assessments to confirm eligibility under the new salary framework;
• Sponsor Licence compliance reviews;
• Assistance with Certificates of Sponsorship and Home Office correspondence;
• Representation for refusals or administrative reviews.

We combine decades of legal expertise with an in-depth understanding of the UK’s immigration system to ensure clients achieve positive outcomes. Contact us today to discuss how we can help.