Short answer: The standard Skilled Worker salary requirement is normally the higher of £41,700 a year and the occupation’s going rate. Other salary options and transitional rules may apply. New applicants normally need B2 English; some existing workers have different English arrangements. An eligible role and an approved sponsor are also essential.
If an employer says “we can sponsor you”, the next question is whether the particular job and your circumstances meet the rules. A sponsor licence is not a guarantee that every vacancy qualifies. This guide helps you ask the right questions before you rely on a start date.
Check the job before checking the headline salary
Ask the employer for the occupation code, main duties, guaranteed salary, contractual hours and proposed sponsorship dates. The code should describe the work you will actually perform, rather than a more favourable job with a similar title.
The official job guidance distinguishes higher-skilled roles from medium-skilled roles, for which list-based or transitional conditions can matter. Do not use an old list without checking its current version and relevant dates.
Salary and going rate are two linked checks
A salary above £41,700 can still be insufficient if the relevant going rate is higher. Hours can also affect the going-rate calculation. The general threshold should not simply be reduced because a job is part-time; applying one pro-rata calculation to every salary requirement is unsafe.
For illustration, a proposed £43,000 package needs checking against the actual code, working hours and what pay can be counted. If some of the package is a discretionary bonus or a non-cash benefit, it is not enough to point to the total on a recruitment advert.
Keep the offer letter, contract and sponsorship details consistent. If any item changes during recruitment, recheck the eligibility assessment rather than treating the first salary email as final.
When might a different salary option apply?
There are specific options for circumstances such as qualifying new entrants, relevant PhDs and certain listed occupations, alongside different rules for some healthcare or education roles. Earlier sponsorship and continuous permission can affect transitional arrangements.
The lower-salary guidance sets conditions; it is not permission for every employer to pay a lower figure. A university degree alone does not create a salary discount. Nor does being new to a job automatically mean you are a “new entrant” for immigration purposes.
Where an option has a time limit, previous permission can count towards it. Check the whole history, including Graduate permission where relevant, before assuming a discounted salary can support a long grant.
The current English requirement
The official English page now states B2 for reading, writing, speaking and listening for the usual new application. It describes different treatment for people who held the route before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating, and for a switch from Health and Care Worker permission.
Evidence may come from a qualifying nationality, an eligible qualification or an approved Secure English Language Test. A previous visa’s English evidence must be assessed against the new route’s level and rules. Do not book a test merely called “IELTS” without checking that the precise test and provider are accepted for your purpose.
Your pre-application questions
- Is the employer approved for the relevant route?
- Does the occupation code match the actual duties?
- Which salary option applies, and what hours and pay are being assessed?
- Is any transitional entitlement evidenced by your immigration history?
- How will you meet the English requirement?
- Can you apply from your current location and permission?
- Can eligible family members apply, and what will each person pay?
If you are already in the UK, check the switching restrictions separately. A qualifying job does not allow an ordinary visitor to switch inside the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Does any £41,700 job qualify?
No. The sponsor, occupation eligibility, relevant going rate and other application requirements still apply.
Can I use an old B1 English test for a new switch?
Do not assume so. The current route normally requires B2 for a switch from a different visa, with specified exceptions. Check the actual evidence and history.
Can LIA find me a sponsoring job?
Our role is immigration advice and assistance with an agreed application. A visa adviser is not a promise of employment or sponsorship.
Make the job offer usable for your immigration plans
Our Skilled Worker service can help check the offer, sponsorship information and applicant evidence within our scope. Bring the occupation code and contract to a free consultation. The standard professional fee for an agreed individual application is £500 per application, per person; government and third-party charges are separate, with any different fee agreed first.
Official sources
Sources checked: 6 October 2026. Check the current official requirements for your application date.
- GOV.UK: your job
- GOV.UK: knowledge of english
- GOV.UK: when you can be paid less
- GOV.UK: switch to this visa
- GOV.UK: skilled worker visa caseworker guidance
This guide provides general information and is not a decision about your individual eligibility. Rules and charges can change. The agreed service and care letter set out our professional scope; no outcome is guaranteed.