Working in United Kingdom,
permit by permit.

Salary floor

GBP 41,700 a year (2026 figure)You need whichever is higher of the £41,700 standard rate or your occupation's own 'going rate'. Several conditions move that floor: on the Immigration Salary List, the minimum drops to £33,400 a year, but you must still meet your occupation's going rate. If you are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you may be paid 70% of the going rate. With a STEM PhD relevant to the job, 80% of the going rate. With a relevant PhD in another subject, at least £37,500 (90% of the going rate). Healthcare and education roles are not measured against £41,700 at all — the floor there is £25,000 a year or the applicable national pay scale rate, whichever is higher. A separate legacy rate — whichever is higher of £31,300 or the lower going rate — applies only if your first certificate of sponsorship (Tier 2 or Skilled Worker) was issued before 4 April 2024 and you have held Skilled Worker status continuously since, and only for applications made before 4 April 2030. Confirm which of these applies to your specific case before relying on any single figure.

Qualification

A confirmed job offer, on the eligible occupations list, from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, at or above the required skill level for that occupation code.

Decision, applying from outside the UK

Usually within 3 weeks of proving identity and providing documents

Legacy salary rate for pre-4-April-2024 sponsorship

Available for applications made before 4 April 2030

Application fee, up to 3 years, from outside the UK

£819

Application fee, more than 3 years, from outside the UK

£1,618

Application fee, up to 3 years, from inside the UK

£943

4 steps · 3 possible outcomes · 11 official sources

Qualification

Evidence that you are already a leader, or have demonstrable potential to become a leader, in your field, judged against the endorsing body's own published criteria for that field. There is no fixed degree, occupation or salary requirement on this route.

Endorsement decision (digital technology field)

Usually 5 to 8 weeks

Visa decision, applying from outside the UK

Usually around 3 weeks

Endorsement application (endorsement route only)

£561

Visa application

£205

Immigration health surcharge

£1,035 per year

4 steps · 3 possible outcomes · 4 official sources

Qualification

A bachelor's, postgraduate, or doctoral-level qualification, awarded in the last 5 years by a university on the Home Office's published eligible-university list.

Decision, applying from outside the UK

Usually within 3 weeks

Decision, applying from inside the UK

Usually within 8 weeks

Application fee

£880

Ecctis qualification-validity check

£252, including VAT

Immigration health surcharge, 2-year visa

£2,070 total (£1,035 per year)

4 steps · 3 possible outcomes · 4 official sources