# UK Skilled Worker Points Calculator

> Free UK Skilled Worker points calculator: check the 70-point requirement from job offer, skill level, English and salary options, with 2026 thresholds.

Tick the mandatory criteria, pick a salary option and enter the offered salary to see whether you reach the 70 points the Skilled Worker visa requires.

*Interactive tool: enter your values at https://toollantern.win/uk-skilled-worker-points/ and results update instantly in your browser.*

## How the UK points system works

The Skilled Worker visa needs 70 points: 50 mandatory points that cannot be traded, plus 20 tradeable points from a salary option. The three mandatory criteria are a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor (20), a job at the required skill level (20), and English at the required level (10).

## The salary options (tradeable 20 points)

- **A: standard.** Salary of at least £41,700 per year and the full going rate for the occupation.

- **B: relevant PhD.** Salary of at least £37,500 and 90% of the going rate.

- **C: relevant STEM PhD.** Salary of at least £33,400 and 80% of the going rate.

- **D: Immigration Salary List.** Salary of at least £33,400 and the going rate for a listed occupation.

- **E: new entrant.** Salary of at least £33,400 and 70% of the going rate. Applies to applicants under 26, recent graduates switching from a Student visa, and some other cases, for up to four years.

Salary means guaranteed basic gross pay. Lower floors apply to some health and education jobs on national pay scales.

## What changed recently

- Since 22 July 2025, most new Skilled Worker roles must be at RQF Level 6 (graduate level), unless on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List.

- Since 8 January 2026, new applicants need English at CEFR B2 (previously B1).

- The standard salary threshold is £41,700 (or the going rate if higher).

## Worked example

A 27-year-old software developer offered £45,000 by a licensed sponsor, with the occupation going rate at £42,000 and B2 English, scores: sponsor 20, skill level 20, English 10, salary option A 20, total **70**. The visa requirement is met.

## Limitations

This calculator is an estimate for planning only and covers the standard options A to E. It does not cover health and education national pay-scale roles, transitional rates for workers sponsored before 4 April 2024, dependant rules, or the going rate for your specific SOC code, which you must look up. Only the Immigration Rules on gov.uk are authoritative.

## Frequently asked questions
### How many points do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

You need 70 points: 50 mandatory points (20 for a licensed sponsor job offer, 20 for the skill level, 10 for English) plus 20 tradeable points from one of the salary options.

### What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?

Generally £41,700 a year or the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. Discounted options start at £33,400 for new entrants, STEM PhD holders and jobs on the Immigration Salary List.

### What English level do I need?

CEFR B2 for new applicants (since 8 January 2026). People extending permission first granted before that date may only need B1.

### Who counts as a new entrant?

Among others: applicants under 26, those switching from a Student or Graduate visa, postdoctoral researchers in certain roles, and people working towards a recognised professional qualification. Time on new-entrant rates is limited to four years.

### Can tradeable points replace the mandatory 50?

No. The 50 mandatory points (sponsor, skill level, English) must all be met. Tradeable characteristics only change which salary option you can use to earn the final 20 points.

### What is the going rate?

Each eligible occupation has its own going rate salary set by the Home Office based on its SOC code. Your offered salary must meet both the general threshold and the going rate, with the higher figure taking priority.

---
Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/uk-skilled-worker-points/