Understanding the UK Points-Based System

Under the UK points-based system, a visa applicant must score a minimum number of points — usually 70 — to be eligible. Points are awarded for meeting specific criteria. These criteria fall into two categories:

• Mandatory points — Points that cannot be traded or substituted. For the Skilled Worker Visa, the mandatory elements are: a job offer from an approved sponsor (20 points), a job at the required skill level (20 points), and English language ability (10 points). These 50 points are non-negotiable.
• Tradeable points — The remaining 20 points can be scored in different ways, providing some flexibility. For the Skilled Worker Visa, tradeable points can be met by: meeting the general salary threshold (20 points), or a combination of a lower salary with a role in a shortage occupation or a PhD relevant to the role.

The tradeable element means that an applicant with a job offer below the standard salary threshold might still qualify if the role is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), or if they hold a PhD in a relevant subject. However, the salary must still meet an absolute minimum — the "going rate floor."

The following routes operate under the points-based system:

• Skilled Worker — The main route for employment. Requires a job at RQF3+ skill level (roughly A-level equivalent), an approved sponsor, and salary at or above the relevant threshold.
• Health and Care Worker — A sub-route of Skilled Worker for eligible health and social care roles with reduced fees.
• Student — For those studying a full-time degree or other qualifying course at a licensed student sponsor institution.
• Graduate — Available to international students after completing a UK degree, providing 2 years (3 for PhD) of work permission without a sponsor.
• Senior or Specialist Worker (previously ICT) — For multinational company employees transferring to the UK branch.
• International Sportsperson — For elite sportspeople and coaches.
• Minister of Religion — For leaders in a religious community.

Routes outside the PBS include: the Spouse/Partner Visa, Ancestry Visa, Global Talent Visa, Innovator Founder Visa, and the various humanitarian routes.

Salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route were significantly increased in April 2024. The general threshold is now £38,700 gross per year (up from £26,200). However, specific occupation going rates may be higher or lower than this figure — the applicable threshold is the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for the specific occupation.

New entrant rates (for those at the start of their career, recent graduates, or those switching from a student visa) allow a salary of 70% of the standard going rate, with a floor of £30,960. This recognises that new entrants typically earn less than experienced workers in the same role.

Tradeable points allow some further reductions — for roles on the Immigration Salary List, a 20% discount on the general threshold is permitted (but the going rate must still be met). For PhD-relevant roles, a 20% discount on the general threshold applies (again subject to the going rate floor). These discounts cannot be combined.