UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility Checker

Check the main Skilled Worker visa requirements: sponsor, eligible job, minimum salary for your case and English at B2.

What this checker does

GOV.UK describes the Skilled Worker visa as a set of requirements rather than a single points total, so this tool checks the four main ones: an approved sponsor with a certificate of sponsorship, an eligible occupation, the minimum salary for your case, and English at CEFR level B2 (or an exemption). It works out the salary you need from the going rate you enter.

Salary rules in plain English

• Standard: the higher of £41,700 a year and the going rate for your occupation code.
• Under 26, student, recent graduate or in professional training: 70% of the going rate, with a minimum of £33,400 (stay limited to 4 years).
• Relevant PhD: 80% of the going rate for a STEM PhD (minimum £33,400) or 90% for a non-STEM PhD (minimum £37,500).
• Postdoctoral roles in listed science and higher education codes: 70% of the going rate.
• Immigration salary list jobs: at least £33,400 and still at least the going rate.

Things the tool cannot know

Your going rate depends on your exact occupation code, which your employer gives you. Healthcare and education jobs follow national pay scales, extensions and job changes have lower thresholds, and the salary you need depends on the date of your certificate of sponsorship. Medium skilled jobs are only eligible on the two shortage lists. English can be proved with a UK school qualification, a degree taught in English, or a Secure English Language Test at B2. Nationals of listed countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, are exempt.

VSH take: the going rate is the number most people get wrong. A £42,000 offer can still fail if the going rate for the code is £45,000, so look up the code before you accept an offer.

Sources and last update

Last updated 26 October 2026. Figures checked on GOV.UK on that date.

• GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa
• GOV.UK: Your job (eligible jobs and salary)
• GOV.UK: When you can be paid less
• GOV.UK: Knowledge of English

Examples

• Higher skilled job, going rate £40,000, salary £45,000: Minimum £41,700, so the salary check is met.
• Going rate £45,000, salary £42,000: Minimum £45,000, so the salary check fails.
• Under 26, going rate £40,000: Minimum £33,400 (70% is £28,000, so the floor applies).
• STEM PhD, going rate £50,000: Minimum £40,000 (80% of the going rate).
• Non-STEM PhD, going rate £35,000: Minimum £37,500 (the floor applies).