The headline rules (Skilled Worker visa)
- Most new applicants need a job at degree level (RQF 6) or one on the Temporary Shortage List.
- The general salary threshold is £41,700, or £33,400 for new entrants, such as people switching from a Student or Graduate visa. You must also be paid at least the going rate for your occupation.
- First-time applicants need English at level B2 (since 8 January 2026).
- Health and care roles on national pay scales, such as NHS jobs, are assessed against those pay scales.
Check the details for your job on GOV.UK.
What today's sponsored jobs pay
Of the 2,969 live jobs on this site, 2,566 advertise a salary. Of those, 58% start at or above the general threshold of £41,700, and 77% start at or above the new-entrant rate of £33,400. Many NHS jobs pay less than the general threshold and still qualify, because health and care roles are assessed against national pay scales.
By field
| Field | Jobs with salary | Middle range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors and medical | 609 | £127,600 to £132,100 | £132,100 |
| Allied health and pharmacy | 578 | £44,000 to £61,100 | £52,400 |
| Nursing and midwifery | 476 | £35,600 to £53,000 | £44,000 |
| Operations and management | 399 | £26,600 to £61,100 | £49,500 |
| Other roles | 329 | £35,600 to £53,000 | £44,000 |
| Care and support work | 49 | £26,600 to £29,800 | £26,600 |
| Engineering | 44 | £35,600 to £53,000 | £35,700 |
| Finance and accounting | 36 | £42,700 to £72,000 | £61,100 |
| Legal and compliance | 17 | £35,600 to £61,100 | £52,400 |
| Social work | 11 | £44,000 to £55,200 | £44,000 |
| Research and academia | 6 | £67,300 to £72,000 | £69,600 |
"Middle range" covers the middle half of advertised salaries (the 25th to 75th percentile of each job's salary midpoint). Hourly, daily and monthly rates are converted to a yearly figure.
NHS jobs by band
| NHS band (from job title) | Jobs today | Typical advertised range |
|---|---|---|
| Band 3 | 6 | £25,800 to £27,500 |
| Band 4 | 18 | £30,800 to £36,000 |
| Band 5 | 28 | £32,100 to £39,000 |
| Band 6 | 60 | £40,000 to £48,100 |
| Band 7 | 55 | £49,400 to £62,700 |
| Band 8a | 16 | £57,500 to £64,800 |
| Band 8b | 6 | £66,600 to £77,400 |
Figures on this page are calculated from the 2,969 live jobs on TheVisaJobs and were last refreshed on 26 October 2026. They describe advertised salaries, not offers or visa decisions.
How the salary rules work
For a standard Skilled Worker visa, you must be paid the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for your occupation code. New entrants, including people under 26 and those switching from a Student or Graduate visa, can be paid a discounted rate for a limited period. Some occupations on the immigration salary lists have their own rules. Your employer chooses the occupation code when it assigns your certificate of sponsorship, so ask which code and salary it will use.
The Health and Care Worker visa works differently for roles on national pay scales: NHS employers must pay at least the relevant pay-scale rate, which is why many band 5 and band 6 jobs qualify.
What we flag
When a job's advertised pay is below the new-entrant rate and it is not a health role on national pay scales, or it is a care-sector role, we add a Check eligibility label. The advert still welcomes people who need sponsorship, but the pay suggests the role may only suit someone who already has permission to work in the UK.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
For most new applicants the general threshold is £41,700 a year, or £33,400 for new entrants, and you must also be paid the going rate for your occupation. Health and care jobs on national pay scales follow those scales.
Does the salary include overtime or allowances?
Generally only guaranteed basic pay counts. Overtime and most allowances do not. Check the GOV.UK guidance for your situation.
Why do some jobs below £41,700 still offer sponsorship?
Health and care roles on national pay scales, new-entrant rates and shortage-list occupations can qualify with lower salaries.
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always check GOV.UK before you act.