Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules contains a number of errors
In April 2024, we witnessed unprecedented changes to the Skilled Worker route where the general minimum salary threshold soared from £26,200 to a whopping £38,700, and in many cases the minimum salary threshold (also known as the “going rate”) for occupation codes increased by more than a staggering 50%.
30.08.2024
On 28 August 2024, the Home Office announced that the changes to the occupation codes contain some key errors, where the going rates listed are currently far too high. The Home Office has therefore published updated guidance to outline the correct going rates. We provide some examples below:
| Occupation Code | Incorrect going rate (Option A) | Correct going rate (Option A) |
| 3512: Ship and hovercraft officers | £66,300 (£34.00 per hour) | £50,200 (£25.74 per hour) |
| 2112: Biological scientists | £41,900 (£21.49 per hour) | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) |
| 1257: Hire services managers and proprietors | £38,400 (£19.69 per hour) | £34,700 (£17.79 per hour) |
The Home Office has confirmed that the relevant corrections will be made to the Immigration Rules in the Autumn. In the meantime, it may be useful to check the updated guidance to correctly ascertain eligibility and salary requirements as the Home Office will be assessing applications against the correct going rates.
If you require assistance with any issues related to the above, please reach out our Immigration team.
Key Contacts
Related Articles
Expert CommentThe overlooked deal risk: immigration compliance in corporate transactionsIn the race to complete corporate transactions, immigration compliance is too often overlooked or treated as a secondary consideration.
Expert CommentNew payment requirements for Skilled Workers (with a focus on the care sector)The Home Office recently announced changes to the criteria used for assessing whether employers are paying sponsored workers the correct salary. These changes are effective from 8 April 2026.
Expert CommentSponsor licence revocations at an all-time highThe Home Office recently published the sponsor licence revocation statistics for Q4 of 2025 and the results are staggering. Between October to December 2025, 1,516 sponsor licences were revoked.