What is the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold in 2026?

The general salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026 is £38,700 per year, or the going rate for the specific occupation, whichever is higher.

Can I earn less than £38,700 on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, in some cases. New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or those in professional training) may qualify at £30,960. Some roles on the Immigration Salary List have reduced requirements. Health and education workers also have specific rules.

What is the going rate?

The going rate is the minimum salary for a specific occupation as set by the Home Office. Each SOC code has its own going rate. You must earn at least the going rate for your job, even if it is higher than the general threshold.

Do allowances count towards the salary threshold?

Only guaranteed basic salary counts towards the threshold. Overtime, bonuses, commissions, and most allowances do not count unless they are guaranteed and contractual. Some specific allowances (like London weighting) may count in certain circumstances.

What if my salary is just below the threshold?

If your salary does not meet the threshold, your visa application will be refused. There is no discretion. Work with your employer to see if the salary can be increased to meet the requirement before you apply.

Does the salary threshold apply to extensions?

Yes. When you extend your Skilled Worker visa, you must still meet the salary threshold in force at that time. If the threshold has increased since your original application, you must meet the new figure.

Skilled Worker Salary Threshold 2026: £38,700

The Skilled Worker visa salary threshold in 2026 is £38,700 per year for most applicants. However, new entrants, Immigration Salary List roles, and certain health and education workers may qualify at lower rates. This guide explains every scenario.

The General Threshold: £38,700

The Skilled Worker visa requires a minimum salary of £38,700 per year in 2026. This figure was set to match the median salary for skilled workers in the UK.

However, the £38,700 is only the general threshold. In practice, you must meet the higher of:

£38,700 (the general threshold), or
The going rate for your specific occupation (set by SOC code).

If the going rate for your job is higher than £38,700, you must meet the going rate. If it is lower, you still need to meet £38,700.

Going Rates by Occupation

Every occupation eligible for the Skilled Worker visa has a "going rate" set by the Home Office. The going rate is based on salary data for that occupation in the UK. Some examples:

Software developers: Going rate varies by sub-type, typically £38,700-£45,000+.
Nurses: Going rate around £29,000 (special health worker rules apply).
Civil engineers: Going rate approximately £38,700+.
Chefs: Going rate approximately £29,000 (if on the Immigration Salary List).

Check the going rates table on GOV.UK for your specific occupation.

Exceptions to the £38,700 Threshold

New Entrants: £30,960

If you qualify as a "new entrant," the threshold is reduced to £30,960 (or 70% of the going rate, whichever is higher). You qualify as a new entrant if you are:

Under 26 years old at the time of application.
Switching from a Student visa or Graduate route.
In a recognised professional training programme (such as a medical training pathway).

The new entrant rate can only be used for the first 4 years on a Skilled Worker visa. After that, you must meet the standard rate.

Immigration Salary List

Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) may have reduced salary requirements. The specific discount varies by occupation. Check the latest list on GOV.UK.

Health and Education Workers

NHS roles and teaching roles have specific salary bands that are set nationally. If your salary matches the national pay scale for your role, you are likely to meet the requirement even if it falls below £38,700.

What Counts as Salary

The Home Office is strict about what counts towards the salary threshold:

Counts

Basic gross salary.
Guaranteed contractual allowances (such as London weighting, if contractually guaranteed).

Does Not Count

Overtime (even if regularly worked).
Bonuses (even if guaranteed).
Commission.
Tips.
Benefits in kind (company car, health insurance, etc.).
Employer pension contributions.

This is a common reason for refusals. Make sure the base salary on your contract and CoS meets the threshold. Do not rely on overtime or bonuses to get there.

Part-Time Work

The salary threshold is based on full-time equivalent salary, not actual hours. If you work part-time, your full-time equivalent salary must meet the threshold. For example, if you work 20 hours per week and earn £19,350, your full-time equivalent (at 37.5 hours) would be £36,281, which would not meet the £38,700 threshold.

The Threshold for Extensions and ILR

When you extend your Skilled Worker visa, you must meet the threshold in force at the time of your extension application. This is also true when you apply for ILR after 5 years.

If the threshold increases between your initial application and your extension, you will need to meet the higher figure. This is an important consideration for long-term planning.

Comparison with Spouse Visa Threshold

The Skilled Worker salary threshold (£38,700) is higher than the Spouse Visa income threshold (£29,000). The two thresholds serve different purposes: the Skilled Worker threshold is about the salary the job must pay, while the Spouse Visa threshold is about the sponsor's income.

The government has indicated it may raise the Spouse Visa threshold to £38,700 to align the two, but this increase has been delayed. See our income threshold timeline for the latest updates.

Costs

For a full breakdown of all Skilled Worker visa costs (not just the salary requirement), see our Skilled Worker cost guide and our UK visa fees guide.

For the full list of Skilled Worker visa requirements beyond salary, see our requirements guide.