UK Skilled Worker ILR Salary Guide 2026

1. The usual Skilled Worker ILR salary rule

For most Skilled Worker ILR applicants under the standard rules, you will usually need to be paid at least whichever is higher: £41,700 per year OR the standard going rate for your occupation.

Your salary: £42,000 Standard going rate for your occupation: £45,000 Because £45,000 is higher than £41,700, the relevant requirement in this example is £45,000. £42,000 < £45,000 = usual salary requirement not met.

2. Did you get your first Skilled Worker CoS before 4 April 2024?

Different salary rules can apply if you received the Certificate of Sponsorship for your first Skilled Worker (or equivalent) visa before 4 April 2024 and you have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since then.

If you meet the transitional conditions, you must generally be paid whichever is higher: £31,300 per year OR the lower going rate for your occupation. If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, or was on the list when relevant to your application, a £25,000 general salary figure can apply instead — but you must still satisfy the applicable lower going rate.

Having worked in the UK since before April 2024 does not by itself mean £31,300 is your required salary. Your first Skilled Worker/equivalent CoS date, continuous Skilled Worker history and occupation going rate all need to be checked.cc

3. Check your occupation code and going rate

Every eligible occupation code has its own going rate. Your job title alone is not enough to determine your ILR salary requirement. Find the occupation code that matches your sponsored job and then check the official GOV.UK going-rates table.

1. Find the occupation code for your sponsored job.
2. Find that code in the official GOV.UK going-rates table.
3. Check whether the standard or lower going rate applies to you.
4. Check your contracted weekly working hours.
5. Compare the applicable going rate with the relevant general salary threshold.

The published occupation going rates are based on specified weekly working hours. If your working pattern is different, the applicable going-rate calculation may need to be adjusted under the Skilled Worker rules. Do not simply compare your annual salary with a figure from the table without checking the working-hours rules.

4. Healthcare and education jobs

Some eligible healthcare and education jobs have different salary rules because their going rates are based on national pay scales. For these eligible jobs, you generally need whichever is higher: £25,000 per year OR the relevant national pay-scale going rate for your job. If you are unsure of your role or pay band, check with your employer.

5. Certain Health and Care Worker jobs

Some Health and Care Worker occupations have a different salary calculation. Depending on the occupation and circumstances, the applicable figures can include: £31,300 per year £25,000 if the relevant Immigration Salary List rule applies and the lower going rate for the occupation. The applicable higher requirement must be met.

6. Immigration Salary List

If you are on a Skilled Worker visa, do not work in healthcare or education under the separate rules, and your job is on the Immigration Salary List — or was on the list when relevant to your application — different salary rules may apply. The current GOV.UK settlement guidance gives: £33,400 per year OR the standard going rate for your occupation.

7. Special historic Tier 2 occupations

There are separate salary rules for some applicants who were sponsored under Tier 2 (General) in certain scientific, research and higher-education occupations.

• 2111 — Chemical scientists
• 2112 — Biological scientists and biochemists
• 2113 — Physical scientists
• 2114 — Social and humanities scientists
• 2119 — Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2150 — Research and development managers
• 2311 — Higher education teaching professionals

For qualifying applicants in these categories, GOV.UK currently states that the salary must be whichever is higher: £25,000 per year or the applicable different going rate.

8. Other visa categories

• International Sportsperson / T2 Sportsperson / Tier 2 (Sportsperson): currently £35,800 or more per year, subject to the specific salary calculation rules.
• T2 / Tier 2 Minister of Religion: must generally be paid at least the same as UK workers in the same role and meet National Minimum Wage requirements.

9. Documents and information to check

• Passport and current immigration status
• First Skilled Worker / equivalent CoS date
• Current Certificate of Sponsorship / sponsorship details
• Current occupation code
• Current employment contract
• Current annual salary
• Contracted weekly working hours
• Recent payslips
• Corresponding bank statements where required
• Employer / sponsor ILR letter
• Salary increase or promotion letter, if applicable
• Official GOV.UK going rate for your occupation

Your ILR salary assessment is not simply: “Did I earn £41,700 during the last 12 months?” You need to check the salary that counts under the applicable Skilled Worker settlement rules, your occupation going rate, working hours, visa history and your sponsor's confirmation of continuing employment and pay.

10. Your 60-second ILR salary check

• Was my first Skilled Worker/equivalent CoS before 4 April 2024?
• If yes, have I continuously held Skilled Worker permission since then?
• What is my current occupation code?
• What is the applicable going rate?
• Does a healthcare, education or Immigration Salary List rule apply?
• What weekly hours does my employer state?
• What salary am I currently being paid?
• Does that salary meet the correct requirement for my circumstances?

11. Quick summary

• Usual Skilled Worker case → £41,700 OR standard going rate
• Qualifying pre-4 April 2024 case → £31,300 OR lower going rate
• Eligible healthcare/education → £25,000 OR relevant national pay-scale going rate
• Eligible Immigration Salary List case → different rules can apply
• Your occupation code matters
• Your working hours can matter
• Special and transitional rules can change the calculation
• Always check the current rules before submitting your ILR application

This guide provides general immigration information only and is not individual immigration or legal advice. Immigration Rules, salary thresholds, occupation lists and going rates can change. Your individual immigration history and circumstances may affect the requirement that applies to you. Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance before applying and obtain regulated immigration advice where appropriate.

Official GOV.UK sources

• Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker ILR — Salary requirements
• Skilled Worker — Going rates for eligible occupations