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.