Clothing, fashion and accessories designers

To sponsor a clothing, fashion and accessories designers on a Skilled Worker visa in 2026, the salary offered must clear three separate tests. The Home Office takes the highestof the three as the applicant's effective threshold.

1. 1
   General minimum

   £41,700

   Across all eligible occupations
2. 2
   Going rate for SOC 3422

   £36,500

   25th percentile UK earnings for the role
3. 3
   Hourly floor

   £15.88/hr

   Across 37.5-hour standard week

Some applicants can use a discounted threshold instead of the standard going rate. The lowest applicable rate wins.

1. 1Confirm your offer letter shows a basic gross salary of at least £41,700.
2. 2Subtract bonuses, overtime, commission, in-kind benefits and pension contributions — none of these count.
3. 3Check the hourly equivalent: divide annual basic by your contracted weekly hours × 52. Must be £15.88 or higher.
4. 4If you qualify for the new-entrant or ISL discount, apply it — they stack with each other to give the lowest floor.
5. 5Build in a £500+ margin: Home Office caseworkers round down, not up.

• 3111
  Laboratory technicians

  £33,400
• 3112
  Electrical and electronics technicians

  £39,300
• 3115
  Quality assurance technicians

  £33,400
• 3116
  Planning, process and production technicians

  £34,800
• 3120
  CAD, drawing and architectural technicians

  £33,800
• 3211
  Dispensing opticians

  £33,400