A UK Graduate visa does not need a sponsor, but it does end. To stay longer, most graduates move to the Skilled Worker visa, and its salary rules decide whether a job qualifies. The Home Office changed those rules in 2025 and again in 2026. The pay figures below come from guides that quote GOV.UK, because we could not open the GOV.UK pages directly, so check them on the day you plan to apply.
- Guides that quote GOV.UK say the general Skilled Worker salary floor rose to 41,700 pounds a year on 22 July 2025, and the new entrant floor is 33,400 pounds
- Since July 2025 most new applications need a job at degree level, known as RQF level 6
- Sources disagree on some details such as how long the new entrant rate lasts, so confirm everything on GOV.UK.
What Is the Skilled Worker Visa Salary Threshold in 2026?
Guides quoting the Home Office say the general minimum is 41,700 pounds a year, raised on 22 July 2025 from 38,700 pounds. The job must also meet the going rate for its occupation, and you must be paid whichever amount is higher. Check GOV.UK for the going rate of your job.
| UK Skilled Worker salary rules 2026 | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum salary | 41,700 pounds a year | From 22 July 2025 |
| New entrant minimum | 33,400 pounds a year | 70 percent of going rate, subject to this floor |
| Going rate | Varies by occupation | You must be paid the higher of the two |
The going rate is set for each job code, so an engineer and a marketing assistant can have very different minimums. Ask any employer for the job code and the pay on the certificate of sponsorship before you plan around an offer.
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New entrants can be paid 70 percent of the going rate for their occupation, subject to a minimum of 33,400 pounds a year, according to guides quoting GOV.UK. It helps people who are early in their careers. Sources disagree on how many years the rate can be used, so check the current rule.
The lower floor matters for graduates, because a first job often pays less than the general threshold. An employer who sponsors you still has to meet the going rate calculation, and the saving applies only to people who qualify as new entrants.
Which Graduates Qualify as New Entrants?
Guides say you can qualify if you are under 26 on the date you apply, or if you are on or were recently on a Student visa at bachelor level or above or a Graduate visa. Other categories exist. Check GOV.UK to confirm which one fits you before you rely on the lower rate.
Many Indian master's graduates fall under the Student or Graduate visa category. Because the wording can change, ask your employer's immigration adviser to confirm in writing that you qualify before you accept a lower salary.
Which Jobs Qualify After July 2025?
Since 22 July 2025, most new Skilled Worker applications need a job at degree level, known as RQF level 6. Jobs at lower skill levels are mostly closed to new applicants. Check the occupation code in the Home Office list, because job titles can mislead. Ask your employer which code your role uses.
This is why the job title matters less than the duties. Two roles with similar names can sit at different skill levels. If you are searching for a role, ask recruiters early whether the employer holds a sponsor licence and whether the role is at the required level.
How to Get a Job in the UK After GraduationRead →Can You Switch From the Graduate Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes. Graduate visa holders can apply for a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK if they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship that meets the salary and skill rules. Do this before your Graduate visa ends, and check the current fee and processing time on GOV.UK.
The Graduate visa lets you work in almost any job without a sponsor, so use it to find an employer who will sponsor you. Start the conversation early, because sponsoring takes time and some employers do not sponsor at all.
How Do You Check Whether an Employer Can Sponsor You?
The Home Office publishes a register of licensed sponsors for workers on GOV.UK. Search for the employer's exact name and check it is listed for the Skilled Worker route. A listing means the employer can sponsor, not that it will sponsor you, so ask directly whether the role is eligible and whether it sponsors graduates.
Large employers in sectors such as health, engineering and technology are more likely to be on the register, but check each one. When you apply, mention your visa status honestly and early. Many recruiters would rather know at the start whether sponsorship is needed than find out at the offer stage.
If a role is not eligible for sponsorship, you may still be able to work in it on the Graduate visa while it lasts. Use that time to move to a sponsored role, and keep your evidence of work, such as payslips and contracts, in one folder.
What Changed in April 2026 on Pay Rules?
One guide says that from 8 April 2026 sponsors must show the salary threshold is met in each pay period, not just averaged across the year. That matters for bonus-based pay. It comes from a third-party source, so confirm it on GOV.UK or with your employer's immigration adviser before you rely on it.
Another guide says the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List are set to expire on 31 December 2026 unless renewed. We could not confirm either point on an official page, so treat them as items to check, not facts to plan around.
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Start applying during your course, target employers that hold a sponsor licence, and ask about the job code and salary early. Compare the offer with the general minimum and, if you qualify, the new entrant minimum. Do not accept a role only because the title sounds right. Get the sponsorship terms in writing.
Keep a record of your Graduate visa end date and count back the time you need for a sponsored application. If your plan depends on one employer, have a second option ready. Rules change, and GOV.UK shows the current version.