Skilled Worker Visa Points Calculator 2025 — UK Points-Based System

The UK Skilled Worker Visa — How the Points System Works

The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 following Brexit. It forms part of the UK's points-based immigration system, which treats EU and non-EU applicants equally for the first time. To be granted a Skilled Worker visa, you must score at least 70 points — split between mandatory characteristics (which you must have) and tradeable characteristics (which give you flexibility).

Mandatory Points — 50 Points You Cannot Trade Away

Three characteristics are non-negotiable — without them, no combination of tradeable points will qualify you:

Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor — 20 Points

You must have a confirmed job offer from an employer who holds a Home Office Sponsor Licence. The employer must have assigned you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a unique reference number that forms part of your visa application. You can search the register of licensed sponsors at gov.uk to check whether a prospective employer is licensed. If they are not, they must apply for a sponsor licence before they can employ you, which can take 8 weeks or more.

Job at RQF Level 3 or Above — 20 Points

The role must be at or above Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3 — roughly equivalent to A-levels or a skilled apprenticeship. Most professional, managerial, and skilled technical roles qualify. The Home Office publishes a list of eligible Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes — your sponsor must assign you to an eligible SOC code on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

English Language at B1 Level — 10 Points

You must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR B1 (intermediate) level. Accepted routes include: an approved secure English language test (SELT) such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL; a degree taught in English at a UK or English-speaking university; citizenship of a majority English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Ireland, and others).

Tradeable Points — 20 Points You Must Find

Once you have the 50 mandatory points, you need 20 more from the tradeable characteristics. The most common route is through salary:

Salary — Up to 20 Points

From April 2024, the general salary threshold is £38,700 per year (or the "going rate" for the specific SOC code, whichever is higher). If your salary meets or exceeds this threshold, you automatically score 20 tradeable points. Reaching 70 points through mandatory characteristics (50) plus salary (20) is the straightforward route for most applicants.

For shortage occupations on the Immigration Salary List, the salary threshold is 80% of the usual general threshold — currently £30,960. However, being on a shortage occupation no longer gives separate bonus points (this changed in April 2024 when shortage occupations no longer attract their own 20-point bonus).

PhD — 10 or 20 Points

Holding a PhD relevant to your job scores 10 tradeable points. A PhD in a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) scores 20 tradeable points. This allows applicants with relevant PhDs to qualify at a lower salary threshold, since the PhD points bridge the gap.

Health and Care Worker Route — Lower Thresholds

Doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals working for the NHS, NHS-funded organisations, or registered adult social care providers can use the Health and Care Worker route. This sub-route has a lower salary threshold (£23,200 or the relevant going rate) and crucially exempts holders from the Immigration Health Surcharge — a saving of £1,035 per year. Eligible roles are defined by specific SOC codes published by the Home Office.

The Immigration Health Surcharge

All Skilled Worker visa applicants (except Health and Care workers) must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their application. From January 2024, the rate is £1,035 per year of the visa. For a 5-year visa, this is £5,175 paid upfront. The surcharge gives you access to NHS treatment on the same basis as a permanent resident — you do not pay for GP or hospital treatment beyond normal NHS charges.