Does my bonus count toward the Skilled Worker salary threshold?

Generally, no. The salary threshold check uses guaranteed basic annual gross salary only. Performance bonuses, tips, overtime pay, commission, and non-guaranteed allowances cannot be counted toward the threshold. Some guaranteed contractual allowances (such as a guaranteed shift premium that appears on every payslip and is contractually guaranteed) may be counted in specific circumstances, but the safest approach is to assume only basic salary counts. Verify with your employer and the job offer letter.

What is a going rate for Skilled Worker purposes?

The going rate is the Home Office's published minimum salary for a specific occupation code (SOC code). It is based on the median salary for that occupation from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For each SOC code, the going rate is set at the 25th percentile of UK earnings for that role. Your salary must meet both the general threshold (£38,700) and the going rate for your specific role, whichever is higher.

Can I switch from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker without leaving the UK?

Yes. You can apply to switch from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker from inside the UK without leaving. This is called an in-country switch. You apply online through the gov.uk portal, your employer provides a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), and you pay the visa fee and IHS. You do not need to leave the UK or attend a visa application centre in Nigeria for an in-country switch.

How quickly can I switch from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker?

You can apply to switch to Skilled Worker as soon as you have a qualifying job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer. The standard processing time for an in-country switch is approximately 3 to 8 weeks from the biometric appointment. Priority processing is available for an additional £500 to £800 and typically takes 5 to 10 working days. You can start the new job from the date the Skilled Worker visa is granted.

What happens if my salary is below the Skilled Worker threshold?

If your offered salary does not meet either the general threshold (£38,700 or £30,960 for New Entrants) or the going rate for your occupation, the Skilled Worker application will be refused. You would need to negotiate a higher salary with the employer, find a different role with a lower going rate that you meet, wait until you receive a higher offer, or explore whether New Entrant status applies and reduces the threshold enough to qualify. You cannot substitute bonuses or benefits to make up a shortfall in basic salary.

Does the Skilled Worker salary threshold change?

Yes. The general threshold was significantly increased from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024, a 48% increase. Going rates for individual SOC codes are also reviewed and updated periodically. If you are planning a switch, always verify the current thresholds at gov.uk at the time of application rather than relying on figures from guides published before April 2024, as many older online guides still reference the pre-April 2024 thresholds.

Is there a list of shortage occupations with a lower salary threshold?

The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) discount was abolished from April 2024. Before April 2024, roles on the Shortage Occupation List could be sponsored at 80% of the going rate. That discount no longer exists. All roles now require the full going rate and general threshold. Some Nigerian workers applying for Skilled Worker jobs on the advice of guides written before April 2024 have been surprised to find the shortage occupation discount no longer applies.

Can part-time work qualify for Skilled Worker?

Yes, but the salary threshold applies to the annualised full-time equivalent of your salary, not the actual part-time salary. For example, if you work 30 hours a week instead of 37.5, UKVI calculates what you would earn at full-time hours and compares that to the threshold. This means part-time roles often require a higher hourly rate to clear the threshold on a full-time equivalent basis.

UK Skilled Worker Minimum Salary Checker for Graduate Route Switchers 2024

DeyWithMe Salary guide ↓

UK Skilled Worker Minimum Salary Calculator

On Graduate Route and got a job offer? Check if the salary qualifies you to switch to Skilled Worker. Enter your role and salary to see the threshold, any gap, and the new entrant discount.

Based on April 2024 Home Office going rates. General threshold: £38,700. New Entrant floor: £30,960. Verify at gov.uk before applying. Not immigration advice.

Job role or occupation

Type your job title to find the going rate for your SOC code. e.g. “software developer”, “nurse”, “accountant”.

Offered annual salary (gross basic)

Basic salary only. Do not include bonuses, overtime, or commission. These cannot count toward the threshold.

Do you qualify as a New Entrant?

New Entrant = switching within 3 years of completing your UK degree, OR under 26 at time of Skilled Worker application. Gets 20% discount on going rate (floor: £30,960).

Salary Mistakes That Get Skilled Worker Applications Refused

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Including bonus in the basic salary figure

Performance bonuses, overtime, commission, and tips cannot be counted toward the salary threshold. Only guaranteed gross basic salary counts. Many Nigerian applicants include a £5,000 bonus in their £33,000 basic salary, see £38,000 total, and assume they qualify. They do not. The basic salary must clear the floor on its own.

Do Not Miss This Step: UK Skilled Worker Dependants Cost

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Using pre-April 2024 threshold figures (£26,200)

The general threshold was raised from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024. Many Nigerian graduates find guides online, YouTube videos, or WhatsApp groups still quoting the old figure. If the source does not specify “2024” or “from April 2024”, the threshold figure is likely outdated. Always verify at gov.uk.

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Not checking the going rate for their specific role

The general threshold of £38,700 is a floor. Many roles have a going rate above that. A pharmacist, for example, has a going rate above £38,700. Meeting the general threshold is not enough if the going rate is higher. Always check the going rate table for your specific SOC code, not just the headline figure.

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Assuming the Shortage Occupation List discount still applies

The 20% Shortage Occupation List discount was abolished from April 2024. There is no SOL discount anymore. The only discount available is the New Entrant 20% discount on the going rate, for graduates within 3 years of their degree or under 26. Do not apply for a role assuming an SOL discount that no longer exists.

How the Graduate Route to Skilled Worker Salary Checker Works

The checker takes your occupation and offered salary, then applies the two-threshold rule that UKVI uses for every Skilled Worker application. The effective minimum salary is whichever is higher: the general threshold or the going rate for your specific SOC code.

General Threshold  = £38,700 (from April 2024)

NE General Floor   = £30,960 (if New Entrant)

Going Rate         = Published rate for your SOC code
                     (from Home Office Appendix Skilled Occ.)

NE Going Rate      = Going Rate × 0.80 (if New Entrant)
                     (floor: £30,960)

Effective Floor    = MAX(General Threshold, Going Rate)

NE Effective Floor = MAX(NE General Floor, NE Going Rate)

Result: PASS if Salary >= Effective Floor
        FAIL if Salary < Effective Floor
Gap    = Effective Floor - Salary (if failing)
    

The Shortage Occupation List discount no longer exists. From April 2024, the SOL discount was abolished entirely. The only going rate discount available is the New Entrant discount (20% off the going rate, floor £30,960), which applies to graduates switching within 3 years of their UK degree or applicants under 26. No other occupational discount remains.

Salary Check Table: Common Nigerian Graduate Route Roles

Role	SOC	Going Rate	NE Floor (80%)	Effective Floor	£38K salary: pass?
Software Developer	2135	£40,200	£32,160	£40,200	Fail (£2,200 short)
IT Business Analyst	2142	£40,200	£32,160	£40,200	Fail (£2,200 short)
Accountant	2421	£34,000	£30,960*	£38,700	Pass (general thresh.)
Registered Nurse	2231	£33,400	£30,960*	£38,700	Pass (general thresh.)
Project Manager	1184	£45,100	£36,080	£45,100	Fail (£7,100 short)
Data Analyst	2425	£37,800	£30,960*	£38,700	Pass (general thresh.)
Civil / Struct. Engineer	2121	£38,700	£30,960	£38,700	Pass (at threshold)
Pharmacist	2213	£43,000	£34,400	£43,000	Fail (£5,000 short)

Do Not Miss This Step: UK Graduate Route Eligibility Checker

* NE floor capped at £30,960 (cannot go below). Going rates are approximate based on April 2024 Home Office Appendix. Verify individual SOC codes at gov.uk.

For Nigerian tech graduates: many software roles require negotiating above £38,700. Software developers, IT business analysts, and product managers typically have going rates above £38,700. A graduate offered £36,000 for a developer role cannot switch to Skilled Worker on that salary even though £36,000 is close to the general threshold. The going rate (approximately £40,200 for 2135) is the binding constraint. This is a very common situation for Nigerian tech graduates on Graduate Route.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary to switch from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker?

At least £38,700 (from April 2024) or the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. New Entrants may qualify at a lower rate: 80% of the going rate (floor £30,960) or the New Entrant general threshold of £30,960, again whichever is higher for your role. The tool above computes this exactly for your occupation.

Can I include my bonus to meet the salary threshold?

No. Only guaranteed gross basic salary counts. Bonuses, overtime, tips, and commission cannot be used to make up a shortfall in basic salary. Your basic salary alone must clear the effective floor for your occupation.

What is New Entrant status for Skilled Worker?

You qualify as a New Entrant if you are switching to Skilled Worker within 3 years of completing your qualifying UK degree, or if you are under 26 at the time of the Skilled Worker application. New Entrants get 20% off the going rate (not the general threshold), with a floor of £30,960. New Entrant status is time-limited: after 3 years from your degree, or when you turn 26, you lose it and must meet the full going rate.

Does the Shortage Occupation List discount still apply in 2024?

No. The Shortage Occupation List discount was abolished from April 2024. There is no longer any SOL discount. Any guide, video, or article still mentioning the SOL 20% discount is using outdated rules. The only remaining discount is the New Entrant discount.

What if my salary is just below the threshold?

Options: negotiate the basic salary with the employer to close the gap; ask if any guaranteed contractual allowances can be included; consider whether New Entrant status applies and reduces your threshold; or look for a different role in an occupation with a lower going rate that your salary already clears. There is no partial credit for being close; the salary must fully clear the effective floor.

Disclaimer: Going rates used in this tool are based on April 2024 Home Office Appendix Skilled Occupations. The general threshold of £38,700 applies from April 2024. Individual going rates are reviewed periodically and may change. This tool uses representative going rates; the exact figure for your specific role and SOC code must be verified at gov.uk before making any application decision. This is not immigration advice. DeyWithMe is not affiliated with the UK Home Office.

Do Not Miss This Step: UK New Entrant Salary Checker

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