Salary changes under the Skilled Worker route: key updates for sponsors and employees

The UK government has announced salary changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. Understanding these changes is crucial to ensuring that visa applications are successful and business operations are not impacted.

What is a Skilled Worker visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is the most common work permit in the UK. It allows foreign nationals with  a job offer from an employer that holds a UK sponsor licence to live and work in the UK. The Skilled Worker visa is designed to attract foreign talent in sectors that are experiencing skill shortages. The visa can be granted for up to five years, after which the holders may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

You can find more general information about the Skilled Worker visa here.

What are the changes?

The minimum salary threshold has been updated from £23,200 per year to £25,000, reflecting the current pay situation in the UK as published by the Office for National Statistics in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). It is important to note that this only applies to certain categories of Skilled Worker – namely:

• The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job
• Applicants being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (formerly known as the Shortage Occupation List)
• The applicant is deemed a ‘new entrant’
• The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation

Sponsors should also ensure that the going rate is met for the specific role (or for new entrants, 70% of the going rate).

What should sponsors do?

To minimise disruption and ensure compliance, it is a good idea for sponsors to:

• Plan ahead in terms of future recruitment;
• Anticipate the necessary budget adjustments;

• Seek advice from immigration professionals if there are any doubts as to whether proposed recruits or employees with upcoming extensions will be affected.

The changes will affect the Certificates of Sponsorship that are assigned on or after 9 April 2025.

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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