New Entrant Salary Threshold for the UK Skilled Worker Visa

If you're planning to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa as a new entrant, understanding the salary rules is essential. The Home Office applies strict financial thresholds, and getting the numbers wrong can lead to refusal, even if everything else is in order.

From 22 July 2025 onwards, the new entrant salary threshold for the UK Skilled Worker visa is £33,400 per year, which is 70% of the standard "going rate".

Need expert legal help with your new entrant Skilled Worker visa? Call our specialist immigration solicitors in London on 0208 616 5535 or submit an online enquiry today.

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What Is the New Entrant Salary Threshold for the UK Skilled Worker Visa in 2026?

At present, the new entrant salary threshold is £33,400 per year, which is 70% of the standard "going rate" for most eligible roles. However, your required salary will always depend on your specific occupation code. In practice, you must be paid whichever is higher:

• £33,400 per year (the general new entrant minimum), or
• 70% of the going rate for your job's occupation code

The current figures you need to know are:

• Standard Skilled Worker salary threshold: £41,700 per year
• New entrant minimum salary threshold: £33,400 per year
• New entrant rate: 70% of the going rate for your occupation

Although £33,400 is the headline figure, your salary must still meet 70% of your job's official "going rate". If 70% of your role's going rate is higher than £33,400, you must be paid that higher amount.

This is why checking your occupation code against the official Skilled Occupations list is so important before applying.

If you need tailored advice on whether your salary meets the Skilled Worker visa requirements, professional legal guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Who Qualifies as a New Entrant Under the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Home Office defines a "new entrant" as someone at the early stage of their career. This category typically includes:

• Applicants aged 26 or under
• Recent graduates
• Individuals switching from a Student or Graduate visa
• Those in professional training or working toward recognised qualifications

The purpose of the new entrant route is to allow talented young professionals and early-career workers to enter the UK labour market without needing to meet the full experienced-worker salary threshold.

How the New Entrant Salary Discount Works

The Skilled Worker visa salary rules are structured around tradeable points. As a new entrant, you can benefit from a reduced salary requirement if:

• You qualify under the new entrant definition, and
• Your employer is an approved sponsor, and
• Your job is on the list of eligible occupations

In most cases, you can be sponsored at 70% of your job's going rate, provided your salary is not below £33,400 per year.

However, salary rules can vary slightly depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK, extending your visa, or changing sponsors.

Can I Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa with a Salary Below £41,700?

Yes, if you qualify as a new entrant, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa with a salary as low as £33,400 per year, as long as this also meets 70% of your occupation's official going rate. It's crucial to check your occupation code and pay carefully, as even small errors can lead to refusal.

How Long Can I Stay in the UK as a New Entrant?

As a new entrant on the Skilled Worker visa, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of four years, including time on the Graduate route, Tier 2 (General), or previous Skilled Worker visas. Although the visa can be issued for up to five years, the new entrant provisions apply only for a combined total of four years.

New Entrant Salary Rules for Applicants Under 26 or Recent Graduates

You may qualify for the lower 70% salary rate if one of the following applies:

• You are under 26 on the date of application
• You are currently in the UK on a Student visa studying at a bachelor's level or above
• You held a Student or Visit visa in the last two years
• You are on or recently held a Graduate visa
• You are working towards full registration or chartered status in a regulated profession

A key restriction to remember: your total time in the UK under the new entrant route cannot exceed four years, including time spent on a Graduate visa.

PhD Salary Discounts Under the Skilled Worker Route

If you hold a PhD that is directly relevant to your job, you may benefit from additional salary flexibility.

• STEM PhD holders can be paid 80% of the going rate, provided their salary is at least £33,400 per year.
• Non-STEM PhD holders can be paid 90% of the going rate, provided their salary is at least £37,500 per year.

Your qualification must be a UK PhD or an overseas equivalent (confirmation can be obtained through Ecctis). Your sponsor must confirm the relevance of your doctorate to the role.

Some senior academics and researchers may alternatively consider the Global Talent visa, which does not impose a minimum salary threshold.

Postdoctoral Roles and Reduced Salary Requirements

Postdoctoral workers in certain science and higher education roles may also qualify for the 70% going rate provision.

Eligible occupation codes include roles in chemical sciences, biological sciences, biomedical research, physical sciences, social sciences, and higher education teaching.

As with all new entrant applications, the four-year maximum stay rule applies.

What Is the Immigration Salary List?

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) contains specific roles where reduced salary requirements apply under the Skilled Worker route.

If your role appears on this list:

• You may pay a lower visa application fee
• You must still earn at least £33,400 per year
• You must meet the applicable going rate for your occupation

Some roles are region-specific (for example, limited to Scotland or Northern Ireland), so always confirm whether your job qualifies UK-wide.

Why the New Entrant Route Matters for Employers

For UK businesses, the new entrant category makes it easier to recruit graduate-level and early-career professionals without immediately meeting the higher experienced-worker salary threshold.

This is particularly valuable in:

• STEM industries
• Research and academia
• Professional training roles
• Graduate development schemes

The reduced threshold supports workforce development while maintaining compliance with sponsorship rules.

How do I check the going rate for my job?

You must look up your occupation code under the official Skilled Occupations list and identify the updated going rate.

Then calculate:

• 70% of the going rate
• Compare it with £33,400
• Use whichever figure is higher

Getting the occupation code wrong is one of the most common reasons for Skilled Worker visa refusals.

What Happens If My Salary Is Slightly Below the Required Threshold?

If your salary does not meet the correct threshold, even by a small amount, your Skilled Worker visa application can be refused.

The Home Office applies salary rules strictly. Employers must ensure that the Certificate of Sponsorship reflects accurate pay and working hours.

Do I Need Legal Advice Before Applying as a New Entrant?

While legal advice isn't compulsory, seeking guidance from a UK immigration solicitor can help applicants strengthen their visa application. The Skilled Worker visa salary rules, tradeable points system, and occupation codes can be complex, especially if you are switching visas or extending your stay.

Professional guidance can help ensure:

• Your salary meets Home Office requirements
• Your occupation code is correct
• Your application avoids common refusal reasons

Need Advice on the Skilled Worker Visa New Entrant Salary Threshold?

If you're applying as a new entrant for a Skilled Worker visa, an experienced immigration solicitor can simplify the process and clarify salary, occupation codes, and eligibility.

For personalised legal advice on your Skilled Worker visa as a new entrant, call Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or send an online enquiry today.