The timeline
**December 2020**: Skilled Worker launched at £25,600 general threshold, replacing Tier 2 (General). This was a reduction from the previous Tier 2 figure of £30,000 — reflecting post-Brexit government intent to make the UK more accessible.
**April 2024**: Rose to £38,700 general threshold. Part of the Home Office's net migration reduction package announced in December 2023.
**April 2025**: Rose to £41,700 general threshold. Part of ongoing upward pressure aligned with UK median salary.
**Expected 2026+**: Likely annual adjustment in line with median UK salary. Expect £43,000-£45,000 by 2027 based on current trajectory.
| Year | General threshold | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2020 | £25,600 | launch |
| April 2024 | £38,700 | +51% |
| April 2025 | £41,700 | +8% |
| April 2026 (projected) | £43,000-£44,000 | +3-5% |
Why it keeps rising
The salary threshold is linked to UK median full-time earnings (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings / ASHE). The political framing is "only the genuinely skilled can come," which in practice means the threshold tracks the 25th-75th percentile earnings band.
The Migration Advisory Committee recommends rates periodically; the Home Secretary confirms changes each spring. Large single jumps (like April 2024's +51%) tend to occur after general elections or when net migration becomes politically salient.
Practical implications
Check only current figures. Any guide not updated after April 2025 is out of date. Our Salary Checker tool always uses the live figure.
For applicants planning 2027+ moves: budget salary expectations upward. A £40,000 offer that qualified in 2024 will not qualify in 2026. Negotiate with employers aware of the new thresholds.