Skilled Worker Visa · UK · 2024 rules

Do you have the 70 points for a Skilled Worker visa?

Sponsor, skill level, English language and salary, all checked against the April 2024 thresholds (£38,700 general, £30,960 shortage, £23,220 new entrant). See your score and any gap instantly.

gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
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Updated 2026/27

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Reads gov.uk, HMRC and ONS source pages, verifies every figure, and writes the plain-English explainers on UKDesk.

Verified against gov.uk · May 2026·Editorial policy

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Answer each question honestly. All three mandatory criteria (A, B, C) must be met.

Annual salary offered

General threshold: £38,700Job going rate (SOC code)

HMRC-listed going rate for your occupation

A, Approved sponsorEmployer has a valid sponsor licenceB, Job at RQF 3+ skill levelEquivalent to A-level or higherC, English language (B1+)Passport / degree / approved testJob on shortage occupation (Immigration Salary List)Reduces salary threshold to £30,960New entrant routeUnder 26, student switch, graduate trainee, threshold £23,220PhD in STEM subject (20 pts)Relevant to the jobPhD relevant to job (10 pts)Non-STEM doctorate

Total points

70 / 70

Result

✓ Eligible

Criterion	Description	Pts	Status
A	Approved sponsor	20	✓
B	Job at RQF 3+ skill level	20	✓
C	English language (B1+)	10	✓
D	Salary ≥ £38,700 (general threshold)	20	✓

How we calculate this

This calculator uses current UK government rules, HMRC rates and ONS data. Figures are verified against the primary sources we list site-wide; the editorial policy explains how we keep them current.

All sources·Editorial policy

Reference

How it works

70 points, what you need+

All three mandatory criteria are required: approved sponsor (20 pts), RQF 3+ skill level (20 pts), English language B1+ (10 pts). The remaining 20 tradeable points must come from meeting the salary threshold or using a tradeable route.

General salary threshold+

From 4 April 2024: £38,700 per year OR the "going rate" for your specific occupation (Standard Occupational Classification code), whichever is higher. This replaced the old £26,200 threshold.

Shortage occupations+

Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List) have a reduced threshold: 80% of the going rate (minimum £30,960). HMRC updates this list periodically, check the latest MAC recommendations.

New entrant route+

If you are under 26, switching from a Student visa, a graduate trainee, or in a recognised shortage occupation, you can qualify with a lower salary: £23,220 or 70% of the going rate (whichever is higher). This pathway lasts a maximum of 4 years.

PhD tradeable points+

A relevant PhD adds 10 tradeable points; a STEM PhD adds 20 points. These are in addition to salary points, useful if your salary is borderline but you hold a qualifying doctorate.