The UK government’s Skilled Worker visa includes specific salary requirements, but some flexibility is provided for new entrants and those with particular qualifications like PhDs.
This New Entrant Salary Requirements in the UK allows applicants to meet a lower salary threshold under certain conditions.
In this blog post, I’ll explore when you can earn less than the standard salary requirement and still qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.
I’ll also discuss the implications for employers and employees.
Key Exceptions to the Standard Salary Requirement
Typically, Skilled Worker visa holders must earn £38,700 per year or meet their job’s standard “going rate.”
However, under certain circumstances, applicants can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate if their salary is at least £30,960 per year.
Below are the key scenarios in which this applies.
1. If You’re Under 26, Studying, a Recent Graduate, or in Professional Training
You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate, provided your salary is at least £30,960 per year, if:
- You’re under 26 on the date you apply for the visa.
- You’re in the UK on a Student visa (studying at a bachelor’s degree level or above) or have been in the last 2 years.
- You’re currently on a Graduate visa or have held one in the last 2 years.
- You’ll be working towards a recognized qualification in a UK-regulated profession.
- You’re working towards full registration or chartered status in the job you’re being sponsored for.
This lower salary threshold will benefit young professionals and graduates who know how to get a graduate job in the UK.
But your total stay under these conditions cannot exceed 4 years, including any time already spent on a Graduate visa.
2. If You Have a PhD Relevant to Your Job
Holders of a PhD relevant to their job can also qualify for reduced salary thresholds:
- With a STEM PhD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), you can be paid 80% of your job’s standard going rate, provided you earn at least £30,960 per year.
- With a non-STEM PhD, you can be paid 90% of the going rate, with a minimum salary of £34,830 per year.
You must:
- Have a UK PhD or an equivalent doctorate-level qualification from overseas (validated by Ecctis).
- Demonstrate that your qualification is relevant to your job, with confirmation from your employer.
For people presently employed in another country, it helps to learn how to know if a company can sponsor you for a UK visa to simplify the process.
3. If You Hold a Postdoctoral Position in Science or Higher Education
For those working in postdoctoral positions in specific science or higher education roles, you may be eligible to earn 70% of the standard going rate, with a salary of at least £30,960 per year.
This applies to certain job codes, such as:
- Chemical scientists (2111)
- Biological scientists (2112)
- Higher education teaching professionals (2311)
- Biochemists and biomedical scientists (2113)
- Physical scientists (2114)
- Social and humanities scientists (2115)
As with other categories, your total stay at the lower salary threshold cannot exceed 4 years, including time already spent in the UK on a Graduate visa.
4. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List
If your job appears on the Immigration Salary List, you can earn at least £30,960 per year, even if this is lower than the standard salary for your role.
This list contains jobs considered in high demand, allowing for a reduced salary requirement.
Applying for jobs included in the salary list can be made easier by using specific job sites for graduates in the UK.
However, you’ll have to meet the going rate for your specific job, and regional differences may apply depending on whether you work in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Duration of the New Entrant Status
New entrants can benefit from these lower salary thresholds for up to 4 years.
After this period, they must transition to the higher salary threshold applicable to experienced workers if they want to extend their visa or apply for indefinite leave to remain.
This time frame allows workers to build up their experience, increase their earnings, and advance their careers while living in the UK.
Implications for Employers and Employees
For employers, the new entrant category is an opportunity to hire younger talent at a reduced salary.
It also meets the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa.
This is particularly advantageous in industries like tech, healthcare, engineering, and education, which rely heavily on recent graduates or apprenticeships.
Understanding the requirements of a Health and Care Visa vs a Skilled Worker Visa will help healthcare workers decide which is more beneficial.
Employers must ensure:
- The job is on the Skilled Worker visa-eligible occupations list.
- The salary offered aligns with the specific requirements for the job and the applicant’s new entrant status.
- The employee is progressing in their role to justify any salary increases required for visa renewals or future applications for permanent residency.
For employees, the new entrant pathway provides an accessible route to enter the UK job market at lower initial salary expectations.
However, you should be aware that after 4 years, you must seek a higher-paying position.
This will help to avoid difficulty in extending your visa.
Knowing all this will help an immigrant to be better prepared and cover some important steps to settle in England.
Conclusion
The new entrant salary requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa are designed to support young professionals and recent graduates entering the UK job market.
With tailored salary thresholds, the system helps individuals transition into higher-paying roles over time.
It also allows employers to tap into fresh talent at a reduced cost.
Understanding these rules is essential for workers and employers to make the most of the Skilled Worker visa system.
Employers gain access to emerging talent, while new entrants acquire valuable international experience.
This paves the way for future career growth in one of the world’s leading economies.
