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Points-Based Immigration System
Skilled Worker Route
The points-based system will provide simple, effective, and flexible arrangements for skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK.
To be eligible for the skilled worker route, you will need to demonstrate you meet the following mandatory criteria (in addition to passing the relevant UK criminality checks):
- You have a job offer from an approved Home Office licensed employer.
- The job offer is at the required skill level – RQF3 or equivalent (A level or equivalent qualification).
- You can speak English at the intermediate level at B1.
- You will be paid the relevant minimum salary threshold by your sponsor – normally £25,600 or the going rate for your particular job, whichever is higher.
If you will earn less than £25,600, but no less than £20,480, you may still be eligible if you can demonstrate:
- You have a job offer in a shortage occupation.
- You have a PhD in a subject relevant to the job.
- You have a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job.
- You are a new entrant.
A total of 70 points is required to be eligible to apply; some characteristics are tradeable. If a characteristic is tradeable it means you do not have to fulfil this specific requirement but can instead fulfil a different one to meet the required points.
For example, you must fulfil the requirements that are not tradable, like being offered a job by an approved sponsor. You do not have to fulfil all the characteristics that are tradeable, so long as you reach a total of 70 points. For instance you may fulfil the characteristic of being a new entrant but not fulfil the characteristic of having a PhD qualification.
This table provides an overview of the necessary characteristics to be eligible for a visa under the new points-based system. A total of 70 points is required to be eligible to apply; some characteristics are tradeable.
Characteristics | Tradeable | Points |
Offer of job approved sponsor | No | 20 |
Job at appropriate skill level | No | 20 |
Speaks English at required level | No | 10 |
Salary of £20,480 (minimum) – £23,039 | Yes | 0 |
Salary of £23,040 – £25,599 | Yes | 10 |
Salary of £25,600 | Yes | 20 |
Job in a shortage occupation (as designated by the MAC) | Yes | 20 |
Education qualification: PhD in subject relevant to the job | Yes | 10 |
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | Yes | 20 |
New entrant | Yes | 20 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government License v3.0.
Source: https://bit.ly/39ZQeJP
Published on 21 December 2020