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The UK Skilled Worker visa salary rule is simple to state: your job must normally pay at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for your occupation code if that is higher. A lower minimum of £33,400 a year applies in some listed cases, such as applicants under 26, recent graduates, people with a relevant PhD, and jobs on the Immigration Salary List. These figures come from the UK government’s Skilled Worker pages, and the rules can change, so check the official page before you accept a job offer.
This guide covers the salary rule, the reduced-pay cases, the other conditions that sit beside salary, the main costs, and the steps for applicants from Nigeria and other African countries.
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What is the UK Skilled Worker visa?
The Skilled Worker visa lets you live and work in the UK in an eligible job with an approved employer. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) work visa. You can stay up to 5 years before you need to extend, and settlement is possible after 5 years. You can apply up to 3 months before your job starts. The official overview is on the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.
The salary rule at a glance
| Situation | Minimum yearly salary | Share of the going rate you can be paid |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Skilled Worker job | £41,700, or the going rate if higher | 100% |
| Under 26, student or recent graduate, or in professional training | £33,400 | 70% |
| Relevant PhD in a STEM subject | £33,400 | 80% |
| Relevant PhD in a non-STEM subject | £37,500 | 90% |
| Postdoctoral role in science or higher education (listed occupation codes) | £33,400 | 70% |
| Job on the Immigration Salary List | At least £33,400 | 100% (standard going rate) |
In the under 26, graduate, training and postdoctoral cases, the stay on the reduced-pay basis is capped at 4 years. Whether you fit a reduced-pay case depends on details such as your age on the date you apply and your earlier Student or Graduate visa history, so read the official page on when you can be paid less before relying on it.
What the going rate means
Every occupation code has its own annual going rate. Your salary must meet both tests: the general minimum and the going rate for your code. A job can pay more than £41,700 and still fail if the going rate for that occupation is higher. Your employer’s certificate of sponsorship states the job code and the salary, so compare both against the official going rate table before you pay any fee.
Salary is only one of the conditions
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Approved sponsor | The employer must hold a sponsor licence and give you a certificate of sponsorship. |
| Eligible job | Higher-skilled jobs qualify. Medium-skilled jobs qualify only if the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or the temporary shortage list. |
| English language | Level B2 on the CEFR scale. You can show it with a UK degree, a degree taught in English that is assessed as comparable, or an approved English test. Some nationalities are exempt. |
| Savings | The official costs page lists savings of at least £1,270 held for 28 days. Ask your sponsor whether they certify your maintenance. |
| Care roles | Care workers in England must work for a care provider registered with the Care Quality Commission. Doctors, nurses and health or adult social care staff should check the separate Health and Care Worker visa. |
What the Skilled Worker visa costs
| Item | Up to 3 years | More than 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Application from outside the UK | £819 | £1,618 |
| Immigration Salary List jobs | £628 | £1,235 |
| Extending or switching inside the UK | £943 | £1,865 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Usually £1,035 for each year of your stay | |
Fees are set by the Home Office and are reviewed each year, usually in April, so confirm the current amount on the official costs page before you pay. A decision usually takes about 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and about 8 weeks from inside the UK. The Health and Care Worker visa is cheaper and does not carry the annual health surcharge.
Steps for applicants from Nigeria and other African countries
- Find a job with a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. Confirm the job code and salary before you accept.
- Ask the employer for your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
- Prepare your English evidence and your savings evidence if they apply to you.
- Apply online, pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Book your biometrics appointment. Our guide to giving biometrics for a UK visa in Nigeria explains the centres and booking.
- Wait for the decision, then travel within the dates on your visa.
Document checklist
- Valid passport
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Proof of English language level
- Proof of savings, if your sponsor does not certify maintenance
- Any extra documents the official checklist asks for in your case
Keep names, dates and job details identical across every document. Our guide to visa documents and accuracy shows the checks that prevent avoidable refusals.
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Mistakes that cost applicants
- Using an old salary figure from an article or video instead of the current official page.
- Checking the general minimum but not the going rate for the job code.
- Assuming you qualify for a reduced-pay case without checking the age, degree and visa history conditions.
- Paying a person who offers a sponsored job or a certificate of sponsorship for a fee. Real employers do not sell sponsorship, and the sponsor details should match the employer’s own records.
- Relying on promises of a special fast track or a discounted fee. Only the fees and services on the official page apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Normally £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. Reduced minimums of £33,400 or £37,500 apply only in the listed cases in the table above.
Can I be paid less than the going rate?
Yes, in set cases: under 26, student or recent graduate, professional training, a relevant PhD, or a postdoctoral role. You must still reach the reduced minimum salary for that case.
What English level do I need?
Level B2 on the CEFR scale for most new applicants. People who held this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending it need level B1. Some nationalities are exempt, so check the official English language page.
How long does a Skilled Worker visa decision take?
The official page says about 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK and about 8 weeks from inside the UK. A faster decision may be available for a fee.
Where to go next
- Applying for a UK visa from overseas: step-by-step guide
- UK visa processing times and service standards
- Visa financial requirements: how much money you need
- UK visa refused in Nigeria: your options
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