April 2023 Increases to the Minimum Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visa Applicants
The government has announced increases to the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa applicants. The changes will come in on 12 April 2023 but they are not retrospective.
In this blog, our immigration solicitors look at the headline salary changes.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors and Sponsorship Licence Lawyers
For advice on work visas and sponsor licences call the immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Home Office increases minimum salaries for skilled workers
At a time when UK employers are watching overheads, the UK government has announced an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa applicants. The rise was prompted by an increase in the national living wage for all UK employees.
The rise does not apply retrospectively so employers do not need to increase the wages of current employees on skilled worker visas until the worker applies to extend their skilled worker visa.
Pending recruitment of skilled worker visa applicants
If your business is in the process of recruiting a skilled worker visa applicant then you can continue to offer the sponsored job at the previous minimum salary threshold provided that the certificate of sponsorship is issued before 12 April 2023. For certificates issued on or after 12 April your sponsored recruit will need to be paid the revised minimum salary threshold to be eligible for their skilled worker visa.
The 2023 new salary figure for skilled worker visa applicants
The minimum gross annual salary threshold for most skilled worker visa applications will rise as follows:
- The annual salary by £600 from £25,600 to £26,200 gross per year
- The minimum hourly rate from £10.10 per hour to £10.75 per hour
- The minimum gross annual salary for an eligible PhD-qualified job increases from £23,040 to £23,580 gross per year
- The minimum gross annual salary for shortage occupation list roles, some STEM and health care roles, and for those recruits who are classified as new entrants, increases from £20,480 to £20,960 gross per year
Going rate changes
When calculating the minimum salary threshold employers need to look at going rates as well as the set minimum salary figures.
The government has announced new going rate figures for jobs with standard occupational classification codes. These rates are based on a 37.5-hour working week rather than a 39-hour week.
If your worker is going to be employed for more than a 37.5-hour week then the salary will need to be calculated pro rata.
New immigration rules on salary calculation
If you are employing skilled worker visa applicants for roles with irregular working patterns with varying pay to reflect the uneven work routine then you need to be aware of the new immigration rules on salary calculation for the purposes of sponsoring a skilled worker visa applicant.
The new rules say:
- Work over 48 hours in some weeks can be considered towards the salary thresholds, providing the average over a regular cycle (which can be less than, but not more than, 17 weeks) is not more than 48 hours a week and
- Any unpaid rest weeks count towards the average salary when considering whether the salary thresholds are met and
- Any unpaid rest weeks will not count as absences from employment for the purpose of the rules
How our Sponsorship Licence lawyers can help your business
Our Sponsorship Licence lawyers can help your business with:
- Advice on the minimum salary threshold for specific job roles
- Allocation of certificates of sponsorship
- Sponsor licence management services
- Sponsor licence problem management- for example, if you need help with a reporting issue or need to change your key personnel
- Sponsor licence audits either prior to a first sponsor licence application or before a renewal application
- Sponsor licence Home Office audits and inspections
- Sponsor licence suspensions and revocations
- Sponsor licence renewals
- Skilled worker visa applications and extensions
- Dependant visa applications for family members
Our Sponsorship Licence lawyers keep up to date with all the latest sponsor licence immigration rule changes and can ensure your business has the systems in place to help you easily manage your sponsor licence and your sponsored workforce.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors and Sponsorship Licence Lawyers
For advice on work visas and sponsor licences call the immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
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