The UK government has announced an increase in the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas, which will take effect from 9 April 2025.
According to the Home Office announcement, the increased thresholds are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data to align salaries with the latest UK workforce earnings.
New Skilled Worker Visa Minimum Salary Thresholds from April 2025
The general minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will rise to £12.82 per hour, which equates to £26,200 per year (based on a 39-hour work week).
Health and education occupations (including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and teachers) will also see their minimum salary requirements adjusted to reflect updated national pay scales.
Impact for UK employers
If you already employ Skilled Worker visa holders, their current visas remain valid until renewal. When renewing a visa or extending sponsorship beyond 9 April 2025, the higher salary threshold will apply.
Employers should check employment contracts and plan for salary adjustments to avoid future issues with visa renewals.
For employers recruiting new Skilled Worker visa applicants, any Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued on or after 9 April must reflect the new salary thresholds. As such, employers may wish to expedite any current plans to recruit before the higher rates take effect. Otherwise, employers will need to budget for higher salary commitments when planning recruitment.
To comply with the Skilled Worker visa salary increase, employers should:
- Audit current salary levels for all Skilled Worker visa holders.
- Adjust recruitment budgets to factor in the new salary requirements.
- Review employment contracts to ensure compliance with future visa renewals.
The government has indicated that further details will be set out in the upcoming Immigration White Paper – which may well include additional changes to the Skilled Worker visa system.
Need assistance?
For specialist guidance on this new change, including the potential to beat the threshold with expedited applications, or for advice on adapting to the new salary framework, contact us.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
