2026 brought three significant changes to the UK Skilled Worker Visa: the minimum salary jumped from £38,700 to £41,700, the English language requirement increased from B1 to B2, and eligible roles are now limited to graduate-level positions (RQF 6+). Here is what changed, when it happened, and what it means for your application.
Change 1: Salary threshold raised to £41,700
From 22 July 2025, the general minimum salary for the Skilled Worker Visa rose from £38,700 to £41,700 per year. Applicants must meet both the general threshold and the going rate for their specific occupation code (SOC 2020) — whichever is higher.
- ✓General minimum: £41,700/year (up from £38,700)
- ✓New entrant rate (under 26, first job after study, or switching from Student/Graduate visa): £33,400
- ✓PhD relevant to the job: £37,500 minimum
- ✓PhD in STEM or on the Immigration Salary List: £33,400 minimum
- ✓Health & Care Worker Visa: separate threshold — see GOV.UK
Change 2: English language requirement raised to B2
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate B2-level English proficiency (upper-intermediate) instead of the previous B1 (intermediate). This also applies to the High Potential Individual (HPI) and Scale-up visa routes.
- ✓B2 IELTS equivalent: overall score of 5.5–6.5 across all four components
- ✓Must take the UKVI version of the test (not standard academic IELTS)
- ✓Accepted tests: IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert ESOL SELT, Trinity College London SELT
- ✓If you already hold a Skilled Worker visa granted under B1 rules, your renewal typically stays at B1
- ✓Nationals of majority-English-speaking countries (US, Australia, Canada, etc.) are exempt
- ✓UK degrees taught in English may qualify as evidence — check with your solicitor
Change 3: Only graduate-level roles qualify (RQF 6+)
From 22 July 2025, the skill level threshold for eligible Skilled Worker roles was raised to RQF 6 — equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree. This means roles that were previously eligible at RQF 3–5 (A-level equivalent, such as many care workers, chefs, and trades) are now excluded from the standard Skilled Worker route.
- ✓RQF 6 = UK bachelor's degree level or equivalent
- ✓Removed: most care work, hospitality, administrative, and trade roles at RQF 3–5
- ✓Retained: Health & Care Worker Visa has its own separate skill level rules
- ✓Check the eligible occupations list on GOV.UK to confirm your SOC code still qualifies
💡 Tip
The Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) still exists with lower salary thresholds for specific roles in shortage. Check whether your occupation is on the current list.
What has NOT changed
- ✓You still need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer
- ✓Your employer must be on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors
- ✓Processing time: 3 weeks (standard), same day (super priority at extra cost)
- ✓You can still bring dependants (partner and children)
- ✓Time on a Skilled Worker Visa counts toward ILR (now 10-year route for most)
Check whether your salary qualifies with the Relocly Salary Checker
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