Did you know? As a new entrant to the UK job market, the new minimum salary threshold for skilled workers (£38,700 annually) doesn't apply to you.
The Home Office definition of a skilled worker visa applicant who is a ‘new entrant’ is a person who meets ONE or more of the following eligibility criteria:
- The skilled worker visa applicant is under the age of twenty-six on the day they submit their work visa application to the Home Office and is applying for a three year (or less) skilled worker visa.
- The skilled worker visa applicant is being sponsored by a sponsoring employer for a post-doctoral position in one of a specified number of jobs.
- The skilled worker visa applicant is working towards a recognised professional qualification in a UK-regulated profession.
- The skilled worker visa applicant is working towards chartered status or full registration with the relevant professional body for the role they are sponsored for.
- The skilled worker visa applicant is switching from a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa.
- The skilled worker visa applicant was in the UK on the student visa provided that one of a number of additional eligibility criteria are met.
Thus, recent graduates, talent under the age of 26 amongst others can be skilled workers in jobs where the annual salary doesn't meet the threshold of £38,700.
NB: Applicants can be new entrants for a maximum of 4 years. The 4 years includes time spent in any Tier 2 route, the Graduate route or as a Skilled Worker.
Click here to read more about the five changes made in March 2024 and for more information on new entrants, read the Skilled Worker caseworker guidance.
