New Skilled Worker Pay Period Rule Takes Effect 8 April 2026
05 Mar 2026
If you are on a Skilled Worker visa, a new salary compliance rule takes effect on 8 April 2026 that could affect you — especially if your pay varies from month to month.
Currently, UKVI assesses whether your salary meets the required threshold based on your annual salary. Under the new rule introduced in HC 1691, UKVI can now examine your salary in each individual pay period. This means every payslip needs to show that you were paid at or above the required rate for every hour worked in that period.
Who is affected. This matters most if you have variable pay, fluctuating hours, irregular bonuses, or if your employer distributes salary unevenly across the year. If you receive a consistent monthly salary that meets the threshold, this change should not cause any issues.
What to do. Check with your employer or HR department that your pay structure will meet the required salary level in every pay period from April onwards. If your contract includes variable elements, ask whether each monthly payment will consistently meet the immigration salary threshold. The general salary threshold for Skilled Workers is currently £38,700 per year, or the going rate for your occupation — whichever is higher.
Transitional protection. If your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned before 8 April 2026, your application will be assessed under the old rules.
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