Skilled Worker Visa · sub-route
New entrant rate
£33,400 floor · 70% of going rate · max 4 years
Sourced from GOV.UK · Updated April 2026The short answer
New entrant rate is one way to qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa. The core rules of the Skilled Worker Visa apply — the specifics that set this route apart are below.
£819Application fee from
£1,035IHS per year
Up to 4 years on this rate (then must move to standard)Initial leave
5 yrsTo settlement (ILR)
Who qualifies for this route
- Aged under 26 on application date, OR holding a current/recent Student or Graduate visa
- OR working toward a UK regulated profession qualification
Good to know
Maximum 4 years total on this rate including prior Graduate visa time.
Salary at least 70% of your job's going rate AND at least £33,400.
Other Skilled Worker Visa sub-routes
Standard rate
£41,700 floor · 100% of going rate
ViewImmigration Salary List
£33,400 floor · 100% of going rate
ViewSTEM PhD
£33,400 floor · 80% of going rate
ViewNon-STEM PhD
£37,500 floor · 90% of going rate
ViewPostdoctoral researcher
70% of going rate · max 4 years
ViewSource: GOV.UK — New entrant rate · Last verified April 2026
Written & verified by
UKDesk Editorial — Editor & Researcher
Reads gov.uk, HMRC and ONS source pages, verifies every figure, and writes the plain-English explainers on UKDesk.