Minimum Points Required for UK Work Visa

Last updated: January 2026

The UK Skilled Worker visa requires exactly 70 points—no more, no less. Here's how to meet this requirement.

The Magic Number: 70 Points

Unlike Canada (where higher is better), the UK system is pass/fail:

70 points: Application accepted for processing
69 or below: Application rejected

Breaking Down the 70 Points

Non-Negotiable: 50 Points

You must have these three:

| Requirement | Points | How to Meet | |-------------|--------|-------------| | Job offer from licensed sponsor | 20 | Employer must have sponsor license | | Job at RQF 3+ skill level | 20 | Graduate-level roles or skilled trades | | English proficiency (B1) | 10 | IELTS UKVI 4.0+ each band |

Without all three, you cannot apply regardless of other factors.

Remaining 20 Points: Your Choice

| Option | Points | Requirement | |--------|--------|-------------| | Full salary (£38,700+) | 20 | Most common route | | Shortage occupation | 20 | Job on SOL list | | PhD in relevant field | 10 | PhD required | | STEM PhD in relevant field | 20 | PhD in science/tech/eng/math | | New entrant (£30,960+) | 20 | Under 26 or recent graduate |

👉 Calculate Your Points

Use our UK Points Calculator to confirm you meet the 70-point threshold.

Common Combinations for Indians

Combination 1: Standard Route

Job offer: 20 points
Skill level: 20 points
English: 10 points
Salary £38,700+: 20 points
Total: 70 ✓

Combination 2: Shortage Occupation

Job offer: 20 points
Skill level: 20 points
English: 10 points
Shortage job: 20 points
Total: 70 ✓
Salary can be lower (£30,960)

Combination 3: New Entrant

Job offer: 20 points
Skill level: 20 points
English: 10 points
New entrant: 20 points
Total: 70 ✓
Salary can be lower (£30,960)

Combination 4: PhD Holder

Job offer: 20 points
Skill level: 20 points
English: 10 points
Relevant PhD: 10 points
Salary £34,830+: 10 points
Total: 70 ✓

Salary Thresholds Explained

2026 Requirements

| Category | Minimum | Points | |----------|---------|--------| | General | £38,700 | 20 | | Shortage Occupation | £30,960 | 20 (via SOL) | | New Entrant | £30,960 | 20 | | PhD role | £34,830 | 10 (need 10 more) | | Health & Education | Role-specific | Varies |

Important

Salary is the higher of:

Going rate for occupation (varies)
General threshold (£38,700)

Some roles have lower going rates, allowing lower salaries.

English Language: The 10 Points

| Accepted Tests | Minimum Score | |---------------|---------------| | IELTS for UKVI | 4.0 each band (B1) | | IELTS Life Skills | A1 or B1 level | | OET | Grade C+ (healthcare) | | PTE Academic UKVI | 43 each | | Trinity ISE | ISE I |

Exemptions

You don't need to prove English if:

You're a national of majority English-speaking country
You have a UK degree
You have a degree taught in English (with NARIC equivalence)

Sponsor License: The Hidden Requirement

The biggest challenge for Indians isn't points—it's finding a sponsor.

What is a Sponsor?

UK employer with Home Office license
Can issue Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Listed on public sponsor register

Finding Sponsors

Check the official sponsor list (GOV.UK)
Large companies usually have licenses
Many SMEs don't—ask before applying
Indian IT companies with UK offices (TCS, Infosys, etc.)

Processing Time and Costs

Timeline

| Stage | Duration | |-------|----------| | CoS issuance | 1-7 days | | Visa application | 2-8 weeks | | Priority service | 5 working days | | Super priority | Next working day |

Costs

| Fee | Amount | |-----|--------| | Visa (3 years) | £719-£1,420 | | Visa (5 years) | £1,420-£1,500 | | IHS (per year) | £1,035 | | Priority | £500 | | Super priority | £1,000 |

What If I Don't Have 70 Points?

Options

Find shortage occupation job: Get 20 tradeable points
Negotiate higher salary: Reach £38,700
Complete PhD: If close to completion
Graduate route first: Study in UK, then switch
Intra-company transfer: If working for UK company in India

Pathway to Settlement

| Milestone | Timeline | |-----------|----------| | Skilled Worker visa | Year 0 | | Qualify for ILR | Year 5 | | Apply for citizenship | Year 6+ |

Requirements for ILR:

5 years on qualifying visa
Meet salary threshold at time of ILR
Pass Life in the UK test
English B1 level
No excessive absences

Action Checklist

✅ Calculate points: UK Points Calculator
✅ Identify target occupation
✅ Check if on Shortage Occupation List
✅ Book IELTS UKVI test
✅ Search sponsor register for employers
✅ Apply to sponsor companies

Expert Support

UK visa applications require precision. Our consultants help you identify the right sponsor and prepare a strong application.

Free Assessment | WhatsApp

Based on UK Home Office Immigration Rules, January 2026.

Minimum Points Required for UK Work Visa: 2026 Requirements