If you’re under 26 or have recently completed your studies, you may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa with lower salary requirements. This blog will guide you through the new entrant threshold for your visa application.
Understanding the “New Entrant” Criteria
When considering a Skilled Worker visa application, it is crucial to determine if the applicant qualifies as a “new entrant.” This designation comes with certain benefits, including a lower salary threshold.
The maximum amount of time migrants can spend as new entrants is 4 years; this may include time spent in any Tier 2 visa route, the Graduate route or as a Skilled Worker. For instance, if a Graduate is applying for a 5-year Skilled Worker visa but has spent 1 year on the Graduate route already, they will not qualify as a new entrant.
Criteria for New Entrant Status:
To qualify as a new entrant, an applicant must be under 26, sponsored for a post-doctoral position in a specific scientific or research field, working towards a UK professional qualification or chartered status, or have recently completed a qualifying UK degree (e.g. Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, PGCE or PGDE) under the Tier 4 (General) or Student route visa.
To calculate the new entrant’s salary threshold, it must exceed £30,960 per year and constitute at least 70% of the going rate for the relevant occupation code. This is a lower requirement compared to the standard salary threshold for skilled workers.
By understanding the criteria for the new entrant status, you can effectively assess whether a Skilled Worker applicant qualifies for this designation and potentially benefit from associated advantages.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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