The Skilled Worker Visa lets you work in London if a licensed employer sponsors you. Minimum salary, English language level, job level : three requirements to meet, and all three have recently gotten stricter. Valid for up to 5 years, it is a route towards permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary threshold in 2026?
£41,700 a year, or the role's "going rate" if higher. This threshold has been in force since 22 July 2025.
What English level do you need?
B2 since 8 January 2026 for new applications (up from B1 previously), tested across all 4 skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Renewals and ILR applications remain at B1.
What job level is required?
RQF 6 minimum (equivalent to a bachelor's degree) since 22 July 2025, with temporary exceptions for some shortage occupations on the Temporary Shortage List.
How much does the visa cost?
£819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (beyond that), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 a year. Fees are not refunded if you are refused.
Figures verified in August 2026 — double-check them again when you apply, as these thresholds change regularly.
The salary threshold has risen again
Since 22 July 2025, the general Skilled Worker Visa threshold is £41,700 a year (up from £38,700 previously), with a floor of £17.13 an hour based on a 48 hour week. But this figure is only a minimum : the Home Office applies whichever is higher between this general threshold and the "going rate", the reference salary specific to your exact occupation (SOC code). Many applicants find out too late that their role has a going rate above the general threshold, and see their application refused over a gap of a few hundred pounds.
The exceptions most applicants do not know about
If you are a "new entrant" (early career, under 26, or in training), the general threshold drops to £30,960 and the going rate is reduced by 30%. Some shortage occupations appear on the Immigration Salary List and benefit from a threshold as low as £33,400. These reductions can sometimes completely change the equation between your proposed salary and visa eligibility, but only if you know they exist and check that you qualify before you apply.
We take care of calculating the right threshold.
- We check the exact going rate for your occupation, not just the general threshold.
- We check whether you qualify for a "new entrant" or Immigration Salary List reduction.
- We make sure your employer's pay structure complies with the new rules.
English level and job level have also gotten stricter
Since 8 January 2026, every new Skilled Worker Visa application requires B2 English across all 4 skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing) — up from B1 previously. Renewals of an existing visa and ILR applications are still assessed at B1. Another tightening, since 22 July 2025: the role on offer must meet at least RQF 6 (equivalent to a bachelor's degree), except for a limited number of shortage occupations still eligible via the Temporary Shortage List, a transitional list due to expire at the end of 2026.
New since 8 April 2026: pay checked month by month
It is no longer just your stated annual salary that matters, but its regularity. If you are paid monthly, your total over 3 months must be at least a quarter of the minimum annual threshold. If you are paid more often, your total over 12 weeks must be 12/52 of that same threshold. An employer who structures your first year's payslips poorly can unintentionally put your renewal at risk.
What a mistake costs you
The visa costs £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (beyond that), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 a year. These fees are not refunded if you are refused. And a refusal delays your start date, your move, and sometimes a lease you have already signed.
Permanent residence is changing
The government wants to extend the standard time before Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 to 10 years for most sponsored profiles, with points awarded based on your income and track record. The consultation closed in February 2026 ; the reform is not yet in force but it has been agreed in principle. Building your application today with this trajectory in mind changes your priorities from your very first application.
What we do for you
We check with your employer that the proposed salary meets both the general threshold and the going rate for your occupation, identify whether you qualify for a reduction, and make sure the pay structure complies with the new rules. You do not need to become an expert in UK employment law. It has been our job for 11 years.
See also the complete guide : How to move to London.
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