By Kolawole Ojebisi
The UK government has announced an update to its immigration rules, notably increasing salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas.
According to a statement issued by the UK government on Friday, the change is targeted at ensuring that only highly skilled and well-compensated workers are able to access the UK job market.
This change came with some salary requirements rising by as much as 82%.
Effective from January 1, 2025, the minimum salary for most applicants will rise from £26,200 to £38,700.
The statement added that the adjustment is projected to impact a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and engineering, making it more challenging for workers to obtain a Skilled Worker visa without a higher-paying job offer.
For applicants with a relevant PhD, the salary threshold will also increase from £23,800 to £34,830, while those holding a relevant STEM PhD will need to meet a higher threshold of £30,960, up from £20,960.
Jobs on the shortage occupation list and new entrants to the workforce will also see their salary requirement increase to £30,960.
“This increase signifies the government’s plan to ensure that only the most qualified individuals can access the Skilled Worker visa programme,” said a government spokesperson.
According to the Statement the raised thresholds are based on median salary figures, which will further narrow the pool of eligible applicants to the highest earners in their fields.
According to DAAD Scholarship, these changes present both challenges and opportunities for job seekers aiming to work in the UK.
“Workers in fields such as software development, engineering, and healthcare will now need to secure job offers that meet the new salary thresholds,” the scholarship noted.
Furthermore, the 20% discount for shortage occupation roles will be removed under the new system.
