Points based system
A visa applicant entering the UK must hold a job offer from the University of Liverpool before they can apply for a visa. To be eligible for a visa, these jobs must pay at least £38,700 or the Going Rate for the SOC code whichever is higher. The going rates are based on a 35-hour full time week. If the salary offered is below the required amount, some applicants may be able to make use of the “tradeable points”, which allows them to gain the necessary points in other ways. Applicants can only receive a Skilled Worker Visa if they earn 70 points in total, the individual must score 50 points in the mandatory section and 20 points in the tradeable section.
|
Mandatory Points: 50 |
||||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||
|
Have a Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor |
English language skills at level B1 or higher |
Ensure the job offer is at skill level RQF3, A-level equivalent or higher |
||||
|
20 POINTS |
10 POINTS |
20 POINTS |
||||
|
Tradeable Points: 20 |
||||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
Salary equals or exceeds the higher of: -£38,700 -Going rate for the SOC 2020 code
|
PhD in a subject relevant to the job, and salary equals or exceeds the higher of: -£34,830 -90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 code
|
PhD in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) subject relevant to the job, and salary equals or exceeds the higher of: -£30,960 -80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 code
|
Job included in the Immigration Salary List, and salary equals or exceeds the higher of: -£30,960 -Going rate for the SOC 2020 code |
Applicant is a New Entrant at the start of their career, and salary equals or exceeds the higher of: -£30,960 -70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 code |
||
|
20 POINTS |
10 POINTS |
20 POINTS |
20 POINTS |
20 POINTS |
||
New Entrant Criteria:
In order to be classed as a "new entrant", the applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:
a) they are switching into the Skilled Worker route from a Student or Graduate route;
b) they will be under the age of 26 when they are submitting their Skilled Worker visa application;
c) they are working towards recognised professional qualifications
d) they are moving directly into a postdoctoral position in SOC codes 2311 or 2162
You can only be paid at the new entrant rate if your total sponsorship will not be more than 4 years. This includes any time already spent on Tier 2, Skilled Worker or the Graduate Route.
New Skilled Worker Salary Requirements:
|
New salary requirements |
Workers who held a SWV on 3 April 2024 and who are extending, switching employer, or applying for indefinite leave to remain after 4 April 2024 |
Workers who are new to the Skilled Worker route from 4 April 2024 |
|
General threshold |
£29,000 |
£38,700 |
|
Going rate |
25th percentile of the average pay level for the particular SOC code. We must pay the higher of the 2 (general threshold or going rate) |
50th percentile of the average pay level for the particular SOC code. We must pay the higher of the 2 (general threshold or going rate) |
|
Minimum hourly rate |
£11.90 |
£15.88 |
Our most commonly used 2020 SOC Codes:
Tradeable points and most commonly used SOC codes for workers who held a SWV on 3 April 2024 and who are extending, switching employer or applying for indefinite leave to remain after 4 April 2024:
|
Tradeable Points |
Lecturers SOC CODE 2311 Going rate £35,560 |
Researchers SOC CODE 2162 Going rate £32,667 |
Technicians SOC CODE 3111 Relevant minimum salary £29,000 |
VETS SOC CODE 2240 Going rate £36,960
|
Teaching Assistants Relevant minimum salary £29,000 |
|
Applicant has a PhD relevant to their job (90% of the going rate) |
We can pay a minimum of £32,004
|
We can pay a minimum of £29,400
|
We can pay a minimum of £26,100 |
We can pay a minimum of £33,264 |
We can pay a minimum of £26,100 |
|
Applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to their job (80% of the going rate) |
We can pay a minimum of £28,448
|
We can pay a minimum of £26,133
|
We can pay a minimum of £23,200 |
We can pay a minimum of £29,568 |
We can pay a minimum of £23,200 |
|
Applicant’s role is on the Immigration salary list |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
3 years + experience £23,200 |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
|
Applicant meets the criteria as a New Entrant (70% of the going rat |
We can pay a minimum of £24,892
|
We can pay a minimum of £23,200 (absolute minimum threshold)
|
Not applicable, we would use IS |
We can pay a minimum of £25,872 |
We can pay a minimum of £23,200 (absolute minimum) |
(Figures based on a 35-hour working week)
Tradeable points and most commonly used SOC codes for workers who are new to the Skilled Worker route from 4 April 2024:
|
Tradeable Points |
Lecturer SOC CODE 2311 Going rate £44,520 |
Researchers SOC CODE 2162 relevant minimum salary £38,700 |
Technicians SOC CODE 3111 Relevant minimum salary £38,700 |
VETS SOC CODE 2240 Going rate £44,893
|
Teaching Assistants SOC 2319 Relevant minimum salary £38,700 |
|
Applicant has a PhD relevant to their job (90% of the going rate) |
We can pay a minimum of £40,068
|
We can pay a minimum of £34,830
|
We can pay a minimum of £34,830 |
We can pay a minimum of £40,404 |
We can pay a minimum of £34,830 |
|
Applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to their job (80% of the going rate) |
We can pay a minimum of £35,616
|
We can pay a minimum of £30,960
|
We can pay a minimum of £30,960 |
We can pay a minimum of £35,915 |
We can pay a minimum of £30,960 |
|
Applicant’s role is on the Immigration salary list |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
We can pay a min of £30,960 (3 years’ experience required) |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
Not applicable for this SOC code |
|
Applicant meets the criteria as a New Entrant (70% of the going rate) |
We can pay a minimum of
£31,164
|
We can pay a minimum of
£30,960 (absolute minimum)
|
Not applicable, we would use Immigration salary list |
We can pay a minimum of £31,425 |
We can pay a minimum of £30,960 (absolute minimum) |
(Figures based on a 35-hour working week)
SOC codes for ineligible roles:
Unfortunately, some University roles will not be eligible for sponsorship, this may be because they don’t meet the relevant minimum salary threshold, don’t meet the required skill level, or because the Government has decided that jobs with certain SOC codes cannot be sponsored.
Switching from a Graduate or Student Route visa into the Skilled Worker Route:
There are special provisions under the Skilled Worker category for applicants who are currently here on a Tier 4/student visa/Graduate visa, the applicant will be considered as a new entrant.
The applicant must have been sponsored to study one of the following courses:
- a UK bachelor’s degree
- a UK master’s degree
- a UK PhD or other doctoral qualification;
- a Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- a Professional Graduate Diploma of Education
Applicants can switch into the skilled worker route at any time, however must apply within three months of their current visa end date.
Certificate of Sponsorship:
If an applicant meets the Skilled Worker Criteria, they will be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an electronic document which lists the individual's personal details and information about the role. The CoS contains a unique reference number which must be included in the Skilled Worker visa application. Sponsorship is normally provided in line with the contract of employment period, up to an initial maximum period of 5 year sponsorship. There are different visa costs for an 'up to 3 year' visa, and an 'up to 5 year' visa which are detailed on the costs page.
Request for Skilled Worker Visa Application:
First Check if a job role is on the eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes for the skilled worker route
Download Request for Skilled Worker Form.
|
Visa Application Process |
Skilled Worker Visa holders will need to apply for a visa in order to live and work in the UK. The process for doing so will depend on whether they are applying outside the UK, or whether they are applying to extend their visa, change employer, or switch visas in the UK.
The applicant must submit a visa application within 3 months of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) being issued, otherwise the CoS automatically expires. You must apply on line, after you submit your application, you will be provided with an information sheet which confirms which documents you need to submit, click here for documents you'll need to apply
Please note, applicants should not travel to the UK without receiving their entry clearance/visa/vignette, as this will cause problems with immigration at the border.
- Click here to Apply from Outside the UK
- Click here to Extend your current visa in the UK
- Click here if switching from a different visa in the UK
How long will the application process take?
In country visa applications are currently taking approximately 8 weeks to process. Out of country visa applications are currently taking approximately 3 weeks to process. However, this will vary depending on the country in which you submit your visa application.
What is the application process for my dependants?
Your dependants can apply at the same time as you to enter the UK. Alternatively, they can wait until you have entered the UK and started work before they apply. Your dependants must apply via the government website.
What happens if my application is refused?
You must notify staffimmigration@liverpool.ac.uk immediately if your visa is refused.
If you are refused, there is no separate appeal process, but you may be able to lodge what is known as an ‘Administrative Review’. Please see any correspondence from the Home Office that accompanies your refusal letter.
Frequently asked questions
Please click here for a list of FAQ’s for skilled worker visa applicants.
Guidance
- Government Skilled Worker Visa
- 2020 SOC CODES
- Visa Fees - Further information on claiming the cost of your visa can be found here.
Back to: Working at Liverpool