New Skilled Worker Salary Thresholds
As of 04 April 2024, significant changes are being made to the Skilled Worker visa route. The base annual salary from which any concessions are calculated is changing from £26,200 to £38,700.
The Shortage Occupation List will be replaced by the much-streamlined Immigration Salary List, in effect meaning that a vastly smaller number of occupations will qualify for a 20% concession on salary requirements. This, in combination with the salary requirements moving to the 50th percentile and being re-indexed to SOC2020 instead of SOC2010, means that in many occupations considerably higher salaries will be required to sponsor migrant workers in the immediate future.
This has understandably caused unease and anxiety amongst those already in the UK under the Skilled Worker provisions and licenced sponsors alike. It is important to be aware that UKVI have made transitional arrangements so that those already on the route are not unduly punished. Those already in the UK on the Skilled Worker route and requiring an extension application to reach the qualifying period for settlement will be subject to a relatively minor increase in salary requirements, many of whom are likely to already be meeting the requirement. The transitional arrangements will also apply to those wishing to change employer or apply for settlement. The new Entrant and PhD salary concessions will remain in place.
The Immigration Salary List in full is below:
| SOC 2020 occupation code and any further criteria | Included on the Immigration Salary List in | |||
| England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | |
| 1212 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services – only “fishing boat masters” | – | Yes | – | – |
| 2111 Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | – | Yes | – | – |
| 2112 Biological scientists and biochemists – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2115 Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2142 Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
3111 Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3411 Artists – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
3414 Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5213 Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5235 Boat and shop builders and repairers – all jobs | – | Yes | – | – |
| 5312 Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5313 Bricklayers – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5314 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5316 Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6135 Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Below is a table of selected occupations which previously featured on the Shortage Occupation List but have not been included on the Immigration Salary List:
|
SOC 2020 occupation code |
Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive) |
Going rate (SW – option A) |
90% of going rate (SW – option B) |
80% of going rate (SW – options C and D) |
70% of going rate (SW – option E) |
Eligibl e for PhD points (SW)? |
| 2121 Civil engineers |
• Building engineer • Civil engineer (professional) • Highways engineer • Petroleum engineer • Public health engineer • Site engineer (building construction) • Structural engineer |
£45,500 (£23.33 per hour) |
£40,950 (£21.00 per hour) |
£36,400 (£18.67 per hour) |
£31,850 (£16.33 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2122 Mechanical engineers |
• Automotive engineer (professional) • Design engineer (mechanical) • Marine engineer (professional) • Mechanical engineer • (professional) |
£42,500 (£21.79 per hour) |
£38,250 (£19.62 per hour) |
£34,000 (£17.44 per hour) |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2123 Electrical engineers |
• Electrical design engineer • Electrical engineer (professional) • Electrical surveyor • Equipment engineer • Power engineer • Signal engineer (professional, railways) |
£53,500 | £48,150 | £42,800 | £37,450 | Yes |
| 2124 Electronics engineers |
• Broadcasting engineer (professional) • Electronics designer • Electronics engineer (professional) • Microwave engineer • (professional) |
£49,900 (£25.59 per hour) |
£44,910 (£23.03 per hour) |
£39,920 (£20.47 per hour) |
£34,930 (£17.91 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified |
• Acoustician (professional) • Food technologist • Metallurgist • Scientific consultant • Technical engineer • Technologist • Traffic engineer |
£42,900 (£22.00 per hour) |
£38,610 (£19.80 per hour) |
£34,320 (£17.60 per hour) |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
Yes |
|
2134 Programmers and software development professionals |
• Analyst-programmer • Database developer • Games designer • Interactive designer • Mobile app developer • Programmer • Software engineer • Website builder |
£49,400 (£25.33 per hour) |
£44,460 (£22.80 per hour) |
£39,520 (£20.27 per hour) |
£34,580 (£17.73 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2135 Cyber security professionals |
• Data security manager • Ethical hacker • Forensic computer investigator • IT security analyst • Technical security consultant |
£45,300 (£23.23 per hour) |
£40,770 (£20.91 per hour) |
£36,240 (£18.58 per hour) |
£31,710 (£16.26 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2141 Web design professionals |
• Desktop publisher • User interface designer • UX designer (computing) • Web designer • Web producer |
£41,300 (£21.18 per hour) |
£37,170 (£19.06 per hour) |
£33,040 (£16.94 per hour) |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
Yes |
|
2240 Veterinarians |
• Veterinarian • Veterinary practitioner • Veterinary surgeon |
£48,100 (£24.67 per hour) |
£43,290 (£22.20 per hour) |
£38,480 (£19.73 per hour) |
£33,670 (£17.27 per hour) |
Yes |
| 2451 Architects |
• Architect • Chartered architect • Landscape architect |
£45,900 (£23.54 per hour) |
£41,310 (£21.18 per hour) |
£36,720 (£18.83 per hour) |
£32,130 (£16.48 per hour) |
Yes |
Please feel free to contact our offices on 01793 836 010 with any queries or enquiries you may have.
Immigration Health Surcharge Increase and other UKVI updates
Increase to Visa Application Fees
New Home Office fees introduced by the government recently came into effect as of the 4th October 2023. This change in immigration and nationality fees has had a direct effect on all application submission, priority service and certificate of sponsorship fees, which have seen up to a 20% increase. Some key figures to note are:
• Skilled Worker Entry Clearance, 3 years or less: £719 (£94 increase)
• Skilled Worker In-country, 3 years or less: £827 (£108 increase)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain: £2,885 (£481 increase)
• Naturalisation/British Citizenship: £1,500 (£250 increase)
Fees for priority service have also been increased, now standing at £500 for both Entry Clearance and In-Country applications. Super priority service, where available, is now £1000 up from £800.
For applications that require a Certificate of Sponsorship, the cost of a CoS has also risen to £239 from £199.
Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is expected to rise significantly during January 2024 under the Immigration Health Charge (Amendment Order) 2023. We can expect the policy to take effect from 16th January 2024 onwards, subject to it passing through parliament. If so, the IHS fee is predicted to increase from £624 to £1035 per year for applicants over 18.
New Restrictions on Student Visas
Tighter government restrictions on those in the UK holding a student visa came into force July this year. The changes come in an attempt to reduce net migration whilst maintaining the government’s ability to meet its International Education requirements, but has had a significant impact on students’ flexibility in the UK.
Firstly, the new reforms prohibit international students from switching to a different visa route once inside the UK before they complete their studies. Before July, it was possible for students to switch over to another visa once in the UK. Now, when switching, students must be able to prove they have finished their course which will be determined only by the date on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). International students are still able to work their permitted 20 hours per week on their student visa.
Additionally, undergrad students on degree courses are unable to sponsor partners or children and bring them to the UK on a dependent visa. This rule has not been put in place for postgrad students or those on a government-sponsored course which is longer than 6 months.
Graduate visas & New Entrants
Skilled worker applicants who are under the age of 26, sponsored for a post-doctoral position or working toward a recognised professional qualification within a UK-regulated profession, may class as a ‘new entrant’ which defines someone as new to the UK labour market. An applicant can qualify as a new entrant for a maximum of 4 years only which used to include any time previously spent on a Tier 2/Skilled Worker route.
As of 2023, any time an applicant spends in the UK on a graduate visa will now count towards this 4-year period, in addition to time spent on other visa routes. Classifying as a new entrant allows applicants to qualify for a skilled worker visa but on a lower salary, as they are typically younger and new to the workforce.
Immigration Health Surcharge Increase and other UKVI updates
UK Visas and Immigration: Home Office Updates (Nov 2023)
Increase to Visa Application Fees
New Home Office fees introduced by the government recently came into effect as of the 4th October 2023. This change in immigration and nationality fees has had a direct effect on all application submission, priority service and certificate of sponsorship fees, which have seen up to a 20% increase. Some key figures to note are:
• Skilled Worker Entry Clearance, 3 years or less: £719 (£94 increase)
• Skilled Worker In-country, 3 years or less: £827 (£108 increase)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain: £2,885 (£481 increase)
• Naturalisation/British Citizenship: £1,500 (£250 increase)
Fees for priority service have also been increased, now standing at £500 for both Entry Clearance and In-Country applications. Super priority service, where available, is now £1000 up from £800.
For applications that require a Certificate of Sponsorship, the cost of a CoS has also risen to £239 from £199.
Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is expected to rise significantly during January 2024 under the Immigration Health Charge (Amendment Order) 2023. We can expect the policy to take effect from 16th January 2024 onwards, subject to it passing through parliament. If so, the IHS fee is predicted to increase from £624 to £1035 per year for applicants over 18.
New Restrictions on Student Visas
Tighter government restrictions on those in the UK holding a student visa came into force July this year. The changes come in an attempt to reduce net migration whilst maintaining the government’s ability to meet its International Education requirements, but has had a significant impact on students’ flexibility in the UK.
Firstly, the new reforms prohibit international students from switching to a different visa route once inside the UK before they complete their studies. Before July, it was possible for students to switch over to another visa once in the UK. Now, when switching, students must be able to prove they have finished their course which will be determined only by the date on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). International students are still able to work their permitted 20 hours per week on their student visa.
Additionally, undergrad students on degree courses are unable to sponsor partners or children and bring them to the UK on a dependent visa. This rule has not been put in place for postgrad students or those on a government-sponsored course which is longer than 6 months.
Graduate visas & New Entrants
Skilled worker applicants who are under the age of 26, sponsored for a post-doctoral position or working toward a recognised professional qualification within a UK-regulated profession, may class as a ‘new entrant’ which defines someone as new to the UK labour market. An applicant can qualify as a new entrant for a maximum of 4 years only which used to include any time previously spent on a Tier 2/Skilled Worker route.
As of 2023, any time an applicant spends in the UK on a graduate visa will now count towards this 4-year period, in addition to time spent on other visa routes. Classifying as a new entrant allows applicants to qualify for a skilled worker visa but on a lower salary, as they are typically younger and new to the workforce.
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Immigration Health Surcharge Increase and other UKVI updates
Increase to Visa Application Fees
New Home Office fees introduced by the government recently came into effect as of the 4th October 2023. This change in immigration and nationality fees has had a direct effect on all application submission, priority service and certificate of sponsorship fees, which have seen up to a 20% increase. Some key figures to note are:
• Skilled Worker Entry Clearance, 3 years or less: £719 (£94 increase)
• Skilled Worker In-country, 3 years or less: £827 (£108 increase)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain: £2,885 (£481 increase)
• Naturalisation/British Citizenship: £1,500 (£250 increase)
Fees for priority service have also been increased, now standing at £500 for both Entry Clearance and In-Country applications. Super priority service, where available, is now £1000 up from £800.
For applications that require a Certificate of Sponsorship, the cost of a CoS has also risen to £239 from £199.
Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is expected to rise significantly during January 2024 under the Immigration Health Charge (Amendment Order) 2023. We can expect the policy to take effect from 16th January 2024 onwards, subject to it passing through parliament. If so, the IHS fee is predicted to increase from £624 to £1035 per year for applicants over 18.
New Restrictions on Student Visas
Tighter government restrictions on those in the UK holding a student visa came into force July this year. The changes come in an attempt to reduce net migration whilst maintaining the government’s ability to meet its International Education requirements, but has had a significant impact on students’ flexibility in the UK.
Firstly, the new reforms prohibit international students from switching to a different visa route once inside the UK before they complete their studies. Before July, it was possible for students to switch over to another visa once in the UK. Now, when switching, students must be able to prove they have finished their course which will be determined only by the date on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). International students are still able to work their permitted 20 hours per week on their student visa.
Additionally, undergrad students on degree courses are unable to sponsor partners or children and bring them to the UK on a dependent visa. This rule has not been put in place for postgrad students or those on a government-sponsored course which is longer than 6 months.
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Skilled worker applicants who are under the age of 26, sponsored for a post-doctoral position or working toward a recognised professional qualification within a UK-regulated profession, may class as a ‘new entrant’ which defines someone as new to the UK labour market. An applicant can qualify as a new entrant for a maximum of 4 years only which used to include any time previously spent on a Tier 2/Skilled Worker route.
As of 2023, any time an applicant spends in the UK on a graduate visa will now count towards this 4-year period, in addition to time spent on other visa routes. Classifying as a new entrant allows applicants to qualify for a skilled worker visa but on a lower salary, as they are typically younger and new to the workforce.
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Increase to Visa Application Fees
New Home Office fees introduced by the government recently came into effect as of the 4th October 2023. This change in immigration and nationality fees has had a direct effect on all application submission, priority service and certificate of sponsorship fees, which have seen up to a 20% increase. Some key figures to note are:
• Skilled Worker Entry Clearance, 3 years or less: £719 (£94 increase)
• Skilled Worker In-country, 3 years or less: £827 (£108 increase)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain: £2,885 (£481 increase)
• Naturalisation/British Citizenship: £1,500 (£250 increase)
Fees for priority service have also been increased, now standing at £500 for both Entry Clearance and In-Country applications. Super priority service, where available, is now £1000 up from £800.
For applications that require a Certificate of Sponsorship, the cost of a CoS has also risen to £239 from £199.
Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is expected to rise significantly during January 2024 under the Immigration Health Charge (Amendment Order) 2023. We can expect the policy to take effect from 16th January 2024 onwards, subject to it passing through parliament. If so, the IHS fee is predicted to increase from £624 to £1035 per year for applicants over 18.
New Restrictions on Student Visas
Tighter government restrictions on those in the UK holding a student visa came into force July this year. The changes come in an attempt to reduce net migration whilst maintaining the government’s ability to meet its International Education requirements, but has had a significant impact on students’ flexibility in the UK.
Firstly, the new reforms prohibit international students from switching to a different visa route once inside the UK before they complete their studies. Before July, it was possible for students to switch over to another visa once in the UK. Now, when switching, students must be able to prove they have finished their course which will be determined only by the date on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). International students are still able to work their permitted 20 hours per week on their student visa.
Additionally, undergrad students on degree courses are unable to sponsor partners or children and bring them to the UK on a dependent visa. This rule has not been put in place for postgrad students or those on a government-sponsored course which is longer than 6 months.
Graduate visas & New Entrants
Skilled worker applicants who are under the age of 26, sponsored for a post-doctoral position or working toward a recognised professional qualification within a UK-regulated profession, may class as a ‘new entrant’ which defines someone as new to the UK labour market. An applicant can qualify as a new entrant for a maximum of 4 years only which used to include any time previously spent on a Tier 2/Skilled Worker route.
As of 2023, any time an applicant spends in the UK on a graduate visa will now count towards this 4-year period, in addition to time spent on other visa routes. Classifying as a new entrant allows applicants to qualify for a skilled worker visa but on a lower salary, as they are typically younger and new to the workforce.
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