UK Skilled Worker Points Calculator
Check if you score the 70 points needed. Based on Home Office rules, April 2024.
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Points Breakdown
Common Mistakes on UK Points Applications
Using the wrong SOC code
The SOC code on your CoS determines the going rate for your role. Wrong code means wrong salary threshold, and that alone can get the visa refused.
Confusing gross and net salary
The points system uses gross annual salary, not take-home pay. If your offer letter shows a net amount, convert it before entering here.
Assuming a Nigerian degree counts as B1 English automatically
A degree from a Nigerian university taught in English can satisfy the English requirement, but only if the Home Office recognises the institution. ECCTIS verification may be needed.
Thinking you need 70 points from salary alone
Salary is a tradeable criterion, not the only source of points. You can combine a PhD, Immigration Salary List status, and salary to reach 70 even if salary is below the general threshold.
How the UK Skilled Worker Points Calculator Works
The UK Skilled Worker visa uses a points-based system introduced in January 2021. You need a minimum of 70 points. The system splits criteria into two groups: mandatory and tradeable.
Mandatory criteria give you 50 points if you meet all three. These are non-negotiable. You must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor (20 points), the job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (20 points), and you must demonstrate English at B1 level or higher (10 points).
The remaining 20 points come from tradeable criteria. These are flexible. You can score them from your salary, from being in a shortage occupation, from holding a PhD relevant to the job, or from a combination of these. This flexibility is what makes the system tradeable.
The Five Salary Threshold Brackets
Salary is the most common way to score the 20 tradeable points you need. The Home Office places your salary into one of five brackets, each giving a different points score.
| Salary bracket | Points earned | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At or above going rate AND at or above £38,700 | 20 pts | Full tradeable salary points |
| At or above going rate but between £30,960 and £38,699 | 20 pts | Meets going rate even if below general threshold |
| 10% below going rate, at or above £30,960 | 10 pts | Partial credit; must combine with PhD or ISL points |
| Below £30,960 (general minimum) | 0 pts | Does not qualify for salary points |
| New entrant rate (70% of going rate) | 20 pts | Only if formally qualifying as a new entrant |
Table of Truth: Common Profile Scenarios
| Profile | Mandatory | Tradeable | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse, NHS offer £32,000, ISL role | 50 | 20 (ISL) | 70 | Pass |
| Software engineer, £45,000, no PhD | 50 | 20 (salary) | 70 | Pass |
| Accountant, £28,000, no ISL, no PhD | 50 | 0 | 50 | Fail |
| Researcher, £33,000, STEM PhD, relevant role | 50 | 20 (PhD) | 70 | Pass |
| Marketing manager, £38,700, no PhD, no ISL | 50 | 20 (salary) | 70 | Pass |
| Teacher, £32,000, ISL role, non-STEM PhD | 50 | 20 (ISL) + 10 (PhD) = 30 | 80 | Pass (excess) |
| IT analyst, £26,000, no PhD, no ISL | 50 | 0 | 50 | Fail |
Why the UK Attracts Nigerian Professionals
The UK has a well-documented Nigerian community of around 250,000 to 300,000 settled residents, with a larger diaspora including students and temporary workers. English as the language of business and government removes a significant barrier that other European destinations carry.
Sectors with the highest demand for Nigerian-trained professionals include healthcare (nursing and medicine), technology and software engineering, finance and accounting, and education. Several of these sectors have appeared on the Immigration Salary List, which means qualifying at a lower salary is sometimes possible.
The points system, introduced in 2021, created a clearer and more transparent pathway than the previous Tier 2 system. The criteria are published, the thresholds are fixed (though they change periodically), and the outcome is more predictable than discretionary immigration systems.
Mandatory vs Tradeable: What the Difference Means in Practice
Mandatory criteria (50 points, all required)
You cannot substitute or trade these. If you lack a job offer from a licensed sponsor, you cannot compensate with a higher salary or a PhD. All three mandatory criteria must be met before tradeable points are considered.
Tradeable criteria (20 more points needed)
These are flexible and can be combined. A person with a STEM PhD and a salary of £35,000 in an Immigration Salary List role could potentially score 70 by combining the PhD points (20) with the ISL points (20), even though salary alone would not reach the general threshold.
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single applicant, software engineer
Tunde has a confirmed job offer as a software developer (SOC 2136) at £44,000 from a company with a valid sponsor licence. He holds a BSc from a Nigerian university taught in English. His score: job offer (20) plus skill level RQF 3+ (20) plus English (10) plus salary above £38,700 (20). Total: 70 points. He qualifies on the general threshold with no special criteria needed.
Scenario 2: Applicant with spouse, healthcare professional
Chisom is a registered nurse applying via the Health and Care Worker route at £31,000. Nursing is on the Immigration Salary List. Her score: job offer (20) plus skill level (20) plus English via her Nigerian nursing degree taught in English (10, subject to ECCTIS verification) plus ISL status (20). Total: 70. Her husband joins as a dependant. He does not need to score points himself; he applies on the basis of her visa. Note: from March 2024, new Health and Care Worker applicants from overseas cannot bring dependants. Chisom should verify this restriction applies to her circumstances.
Scenario 3: Applicant with spouse and child, researcher with PhD
Dr. Emeka has a confirmed research position at a UK university at £34,000. He holds a STEM PhD relevant to the role. His salary is below £38,700 but above £30,960. His score: job offer (20) plus skill level (20) plus English via his UK masters degree taught in English (10) plus STEM PhD (20). Total: 70. His wife and one child apply as dependants, each paying their own visa fees and IHS. His salary being below the general threshold is not a barrier because the PhD tradeable points cover the gap.
What Happens If You Score Below 70
A score below 70 means the visa application will be refused unless additional criteria are met before submission. The most practical options are: negotiating a higher salary with the employer; confirming whether the SOC code qualifies for Immigration Salary List status; establishing new entrant eligibility; or pursuing a PhD that is relevant to the role.
It is not possible to compensate for missing mandatory criteria with higher scores on tradeable criteria. A score of 0 on the job offer criterion, for example, cannot be overcome regardless of salary or qualifications.
Edge Cases and Common Questions
What if my salary changes between application and start date?
If your salary decreases before you begin work, your sponsor must reassign your Certificate of Sponsorship and you may need to reapply. If your salary increases, no action is required. Always ensure the salary on your CoS exactly matches what is in your offer letter.
Does experience as a doctor or nurse in Nigeria count for points?
No. Work experience is not a scoring criterion in the UK points system. However, experience affects whether your qualification is recognised by the relevant UK professional body (GMC for doctors, NMC for nurses), which determines whether you can work in the role at all. Registration with the professional body is a separate step from the visa points calculation.
Can I trade salary points against English points?
No. English is a mandatory criterion and cannot be traded or substituted. You must meet the English language requirement independently, regardless of salary or qualifications.
What is the going rate and where do I find it?
The going rate is published by the Home Office in the Skilled Worker visa guidance appendix. It is indexed to specific SOC codes and changes when the Home Office reviews occupational pay data. Your employer’s HR team or immigration adviser should identify the correct SOC code and going rate for your specific role.
