For a role to be sponsorable under the Skilled Worker visa routes it must:
- Fall under a job code which is sponsorable (There are nearly 300 sponsorable job codes with around 40 used within the University, SIT determines the relevant job code based on the job description/ further particulars)
- Meet whichever is higher of the 'going rate' threshold for that job code and the 'general' salary threshold
The general threshold was £26,000 but on 4 April 2024 increased to:
- £29,000 for existing Skilled Worker visa holders* from before 4 April 2024
- £38,700 for new Skilled Worker visa applicants after 4 April 2024
* An existing Skilled Worker visa holder who has left the UK or switched to a different visa route will be a new applicant (with higher salary thresholds) if they apply for a new Skilled Worker visa.
Part-time work can be difficult to sponsor as the actual salary must meet the relevant general salary threshold.
The going rate thresholds are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) UK salary data and were set at the 25th percentile level. From 4 April 2024 going rates are:
- based on updated 25th percentile salary figures for existing Skilled Worker visa holders* from before 4 April 2024.
- based on 50th percentile salary figures for new Skilled Worker applicants after 4 April 2024
The new 50th percentile going rates are obviously higher but some are much higher for certain roles where there is a bigger spread of salaries for that type of role in the UK.
Existing Skilled Worker visa holders are not subject to the new 50th percentile thresholds when they are applying to extend their visa, change role, and/or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Lower versions of the general and going rate thresholds apply if an applicant can rely on 'tradeable points' as a New Entrant, if they have been awarded a PhD (or PhD in a STEM subject) relevant to the role, or are taking up a role which is on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) - previously called the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
There is a four year 'New Entrant' limit on time spent under Graduate and/or Tier 2/ Skilled Worker visas plus the length of the role the applicant is taking up.
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has very few roles, compared to the previous Shortage Occupation List (SOL). IT and engineering roles are no longer considered to be shortage roles. The one main role type relevant to the University which is on the ISL is research/ laboratory technicians, but the role must require and they must have three years experience to be eligible for shortage tradeable points.
As tradeable points will be required more often it is very important that full details (and ideally copies) of any previous UK visas an applicant has held, and copies of PhD certificates with details of the subject (if this is not clear from the certificate), are provided with the Skilled Worker CoS application when this is submitted to SIT.
The new salary thresholds are more complex and are not something applicants, PIs/academics, hiring managers, or HR teams, can (or are expected to) research or figure out themselves. The Staff Immigration Team (SIT) will advise on these requirements. SIT are holding two immigration briefings for HR staff in May on these and other rules changes in 2024, and have updated their training for HR staff to reflect these changes.
