Skilled Worker Visa Changes From 4 April 2024
As announced by the Home Secretary on 4 December 2023, changes are being made to reduce net migration by encouraging businesses to invest in the resident workforce rather than over-relying on migration, while bringing salaries in line with the average full-time salary for eligible jobs.
Salary changes for skilled workers from 4 April 2024
Sponsoring employers must pay Skilled Workers at least a general salary threshold or the going rate for the individual occupation, whichever is higher. The general salary threshold is being raised from £26,200 (based on 25th percentile UK earnings in eligible occupations) to £38,700 (based on median UK earnings in eligible
occupations).
Salary changes for health care worker visa
Workers sponsored for Health and Care visas, or in occupations where going rates are set using national pay scales, are exempt from the new median salary requirements. Instead, a general threshold based on the 25th percentile continues to apply and is being updated from £26,200 to £29,000, based on the latest ONS pay data.
What about the higher £38,700 salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa – will that apply to people already here on that visa?
No. “Those already in the Skilled work route, and applications made before the rules change, will not be subject to the new £38,700 salary threshold when they change employment, extend, or settle”, according to the Minister for Legal Migration.
The Immigration Rules changes published today confirm that someone who had a Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024, and applies to extend it or for settlement before 4 April 2030, only needs to meet a salary threshold of £29,000 rather than £38,700. The £29,000 is the current level of £26,200 adjusted for inflation.
