The Complete Guide to UK Visa Salary Options

The Skilled Worker route requires applicants to score twenty tradeable points specifically for their salary. This requirement ensures that sponsored employees earn fair wages compared to domestic workers. You must identify which specific option from A to K applies to your situation. Most applicants fall under Option A unless they qualify for specific tradeable points discounts.

Identifying your specific category helps prevent costly application refusals from occurring later. Many professionals wrongly assume they must meet the highest general salary threshold. However, holding a relevant PhD or being a new entrant can significantly lower your salary requirements. Negotiating a favourable Extend employment UK visa from current employment can also impact your transition timeline quite significantly.

The general salary threshold for standard applications currently stands at £41,700 per year. If your salary falls below this amount, you might still qualify through other specific salary options. Tradeable points allow flexibility for candidates with STEM qualifications or those working in specific shortage occupations. You must verify your exact occupation code before calculating the required going rate.

Option A represents the standard pathway where applicants must meet the full general threshold of £41,700 annually. This route offers no salary discounts and requires you to earn the full going rate. Most experienced professionals in corporate sectors will naturally fall into this primary assessment category. If you hold a relevant doctoral qualification, Option B allows for a ten percent salary reduction. This specific concession reduces the general threshold requirement to £37,500 for eligible academic candidates.

Option C provides further reductions for researchers in STEM fields. The threshold drops to £33,400 for these highly skilled individuals. You must provide academic evidence to verify your qualification meets UK standards. Candidates working in roles listed on the Immigration Salary List qualify under Option D rules. This pathway also sets the general threshold at £33,400 for eligible shortage occupations.

New entrants benefit significantly under Option E regulations for their initial applications. This category supports recent graduates and younger professionals entering the UK workforce. The salary requirement sits at £33,400 annually for eligible applicants. You can claim this status for a maximum of four years.

Health and Care visa applicants utilize different salary options labeled F through J. These categories recognize the critical nature of medical roles and offer significantly lower general salary thresholds. The standard Health and Care threshold starts at £31,300, which is significantly lower than corporate routes. Healthcare professionals must still meet the specific going rates defined for their clinical roles. If your role fails, you might need to explore UK work visa alternatives for legal work.

Option K specifically covers health and education roles that adhere to national pay scale standards. These positions have a general threshold of £25,000 or the national scale rate. Teachers and nurses typically fall under this specific regulatory provision. You must check if your job appears in Table 3 of the appendix. National pay scales ensure that public sector workers are not disadvantaged by standard visa thresholds.

The Home Office strictly enforces these salary requirements and will refuse applications that fall short by even small amounts. Your Certificate of Sponsorship must explicitly state a salary that meets both the general threshold and the going rate. Employers cannot include allowances or non-guaranteed bonuses when calculating your eligible salary for sponsorship purposes. We recommend verifying your gross annual salary against the latest 2026 tables before submitting any documentation.

Many job seekers use our platform to find verified sponsors. Accessing a comprehensive database of sponsor companies helps you identify employers who understand these complex salary rules. You can filter potential employers by sector to find those familiar with your specific option. This targeted approach saves time during your job search process.

Calculating your points score requires precision to ensure a successful visa outcome. You need a total of seventy points to qualify for the Skilled Worker route under current rules. The salary component contributes twenty mandatory points towards this overall requirement for valid sponsorship applications. Understanding the UK visa points system is crucial for assessing your chances accurately.

Your employer must pay the Immigration Skills Charge unless a specific exemption applies. The salary figures listed in the immigration rules are gross amounts before tax. You should confirm that your gross pay matches the figure stated on your certificate. Discrepancies between paid salary and stated salary can lead to licence revocation.

Navigating Options A through K requires careful attention to detail and regulatory knowledge. The difference between Option A and Option E can mean a salary gap of over £8,000. You must select the correct option on your application. Correct classification ensures you meet the twenty-point salary requirement without issues. Failing to identify a valid tradeable points option will result in an immediate refusal.

We advise all applicants to double-check their occupation code and corresponding going rate against the 2026 tables. The rules for tradeable points provide valuable flexibility for new entrants and highly skilled STEM researchers. Securing the right sponsorship depends on aligning your salary offer with these official thresholds. Take time to verify your eligibility before proceeding.