As of 4th April 2024, significant changes were made to the current immigration rules by the Home Office. This included the increase in the minimum salary or ‘going rate’ for all eligible skilled worker occupations, replacement of the shortage list with the immigration salary list, and new SOC codes.
New salary requirements
Previously £26,200, the minimum salary threshold was upped to £38,700 for all new Skilled Workers. All job codes must meet this minimum salary requirement to be eligible to sponsor skilled workers. Applicants must be paid either the minimum threshold or the ‘going rate’ for their specific SOC 2020 code (whichever is higher). For example, Aerospace Engineers (SOC code 2126) must meet the salary requirement of £46,400 (based on a 37.5 hour working week) as detailed in this job code.
However, in some cases, applicants may be eligible to meet a lower threshold, if they meet the criteria to be classed as Skilled Worker option B/C/D/E.
Option B: Applicant has a PhD (90% of going rate)
Option C: Applicant has a Stem PhD (90% of going rate)
Option D: Job on the Immigration salary list (80% of going rate)
Option E: Applicant is a new entrant (70% of going rate)
If an applicant falls under one of the above categories, they can be sponsorable on a slightly lower salary. This exact figure will be dependent on their job code.
Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements are in place for those currently in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa to protect their status if their current salary does not meet this new rate when applying to extend their visa.
For applicants who were on the Skilled Worker route prior to these new changes, the SOC 2010 codes will be matched to corresponding SOC 2020 codes and the relevant salary thresholds still apply. For example, a Chef (SOC 5434) who was in the UK prior to 4th April, will only have to meet the salary requirement of £29,000 (based on a 37.5 hour working week). If this applicant were to enter the UK as a new Skilled Worker after the 4th April, they would need to meet the new going rate of £38,700 per annum.
Immigration Salary List
Another significant change that came into effect with the introduction of these new rules, is the removal of the previously extensive Shortage Occupation List, which allowed certain SOC codes to sponsor workers on a reduced salary; this includes Veterinarians and Engineers.
This concession has now been removed, and the general salary thresholds now apply to these jobs. In place of this, the government have brought in the Immigration Salary List.
The ISL is a much narrower list than previous, and includes jobs such as pharmaceutical technicians, graphic and multimedia designers, and biological scientists. An exhaustive list of the eligible SOC 2020 codes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list