Human Resources

Skilled Worker visas: salary thresholds from 4 April 2024

Find out about the latest changes to the Immigration Rules and what this means for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, and answers to frequently asked questions

As per the new Immigration Rules published on 13 March 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas is increasing to £38,700. This change will take effect from 4 April 2024. The going rate for individual SOC codes are also changing on this date. These changes are based on the 50th percentile of average salaries in the UK. In order for a job to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, the salary offered must meet or exceed either the general salary threshold or the SOC code going rate – whichever is higher.

There is an additional set of salary rates being introduced, for individuals who were already sponsored on the Skilled Worker route before 4 April 2024. These are referred to as transitionary rules and are based on the 25th percentile average earnings.

On this page, you will find information about how these changes will apply to individuals with existing Skilled Worker sponsorships, those who are applying for the first time, a comparison table of old and new rates, details of the new tradeable points options, and an FAQ for both staff and hiring managers.

 

Existing sponsorships

An individual can remain under the transitionary rules if their first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or before 3 April 2024. They will be able to make an application to extend, change employment, or apply for Settlement under the transitionary rules until 4 April 2030.

The general salary threshold under the transitionary rules is £29,000, and going rates for individual SOC codes are based on 25th percentile earnings. Any salary offered for a role must meet the higher of these two rates.

Tradeable points options F to K can be applied to these rates in order to lower them by 90%, 80%, or 70%. The absolute lowest salary possible is £23,200.

 

New sponsorships

An individual will be considered under the new 50th percentile rates if their first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or after 4 April 2024.

The general salary threshold under the new rules is £38,700, and going rates for individual SOC codes are based on 50th percentile earnings. Any salary offered for a role must meet the higher of these two rates.

Tradeable points options A to E can be applied to these rates in order to lower them by 90%, 80%, or 70%. The absolute lowest salary possible is £30,960.

 

Going rate comparison table

Please see the table below for a comparison of salary thresholds for some of our most commonly-used SOC codes.

 

 Old rate (before 4 April 2024)

Transitionary rate (25th percentile)

New rate (50th percentile)

General threshold

£26,200

£29,000

£38,700

SOC 2119 (academic research staff)

£34,600

£32,000

£41,200

SOC 2311 (academic teaching)

£41,200

£38,100

£47,700

SOC 2136 (IT staff)

£34,000

£36,300

£49,400

SOC 3539  (Professional services staff)

£24,200

£23,500

£30,960

 

 

Updated tradeable points tables

Please see the table below for an updated list of the various tradeable points options that are available, along with the eligibility requirements. Please note that where a reference is made to an applicant being a “new entrant”, there are additional criteria to meet which are detailed here on our website.

NEW RATES – 50TH PERCENTILE

Applicable to all individuals whose first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or after 4 April 2024

Option

Requirements

Points available

A: salary only

 

The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £38,700 per year; and
  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

20 points for salary

B: relevant PhD

The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £34,830 per year; and
  • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

10 points for salary

10 points for PhD

C: relevant STEM PhD

The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £30,960 per year; and
  • 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for STEM PhD

D: listed occupation

The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £30,960 per year; and
  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for listed occupation

E: new entrant

The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £30,960 per year; and
  • 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for new entrant

TRANSITIONARY RATES – 25TH PERCENTILE

Applicable to all individuals whose first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or before 3 April 2024

Option

Requirements

Points available

F: salary only

The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £29,000 per year; and
  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

20 points for salary

G: relevant PhD

The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £26,100 per year; and
  • 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

10 points for salary

10 points for PhD

H: relevant STEM PhD

The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £23,200 per year; and
  • 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for STEM PhD

I: listed occupation

The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £23,200 per year; and
  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for listed occupation

J: new entrant

The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £23,200 per year; and
  • 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for new entrant

K: listed health or education occupation

The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:

  • £23,200 per year; and
  • the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.

0 points for salary

20 points for listed health or education occupation

 

 

FAQ

We have divided the FAQ into questions relevant for staff and hiring managers. If you have a question that isn’t answered here then please do contact the HR Compliance team at hrcompliance@sussex.ac.uk and we will be able to advise further.

Staff

My Skilled Worker sponsorship began before 4 April 2024, do I need to do anything?

You don’t need to do anything immediately. Your current visa will remain valid until its expiry date. You will be considered under the transitionary rules when you apply to extend your visa, change employment, or apply for Settlement

I’m an existing member of staff sponsored under the Skilled Worker route, but my current salary doesn't meet the transitionary rates. Will my visa be cancelled?

Your visa will not be cancelled, it will remain valid until its expiry date and you will retain all your existing rights to live and work in the UK until that time. The HR department will be contacting all affected sponsored staff to discuss what options are available to you.

I’m applying for a Skilled Worker visa for the first time and my Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 4 April 2024, but my start date isn't until after 4 April 2024. Will I be considered under the old or new rules?

If your Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 4 April 2024, you will be considered under the old rules even if your employment start date is after 4 April 2024. When you come to extend or apply for ILR, you'll be considered under the transitionary rules.

How do I claim tradeable points in order to be eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship?

For options B, C, G, and H (relevant PhD) you will need to provide a copy of your PhD certificate to us. If your PhD was awarded by a non-UK institution you will also need to have it verified by Ecctis, and provide a copy of the verification code along with your certificate. This needs to be done before we can issue your Certificate of Sponsorship. We will then include the information on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

For other tradeable points options, simply inform us when sending back your sponsorship documents and we will check the relevant box on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Hiring managers

Will I still be able to hire individuals from overseas?

Yes, Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is still available for all eligible roles and eligible applicants. The process is not changing. However, you will find that applicants rely on tradeable points more frequently due to the increase in salary thresholds.

Should I offer higher starting salaries in order to ensure eligibility for Skilled Worker sponsorship?

No, it's not permissible to increase an individual's salary solely for the purposes of sponsorship. As for all staff, any salary increases should be based on merit alone.

My new hire isn't due to start their role until after 4 April 2024. Will they be considered under the new rules?

If their Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 4 April 2024, they will be considered under the old rules. This is true even if their employment start date is after 4 April 2024.

My new hire has accepted a contract but isn't due to start until later in the year. Can we issue a Certificate of Sponsorship now to ensure they can be considered under the old rules?

We can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship up to 3 months in advance of an individual's employment start date. Anyone starting on or after 4 July 2024 will not be able to have their Certificate of Sponsorship early enough to be considered under the old rules.