New Entrant Rate
The New Entrant rate is a lower salary threshold available for certain Skilled Worker visa applicants who are early in their careers. Instead of meeting the full going rate for their role, qualifying workers only need to earn 70% of it, subject to an absolute minimum of £30,960 per year. It is designed to make sponsorship accessible for graduates, young professionals, and students transitioning into work visas.
In This Article
- What is the New Entrant rate?
- Who qualifies for the New Entrant rate?
- New Entrant vs standard going rate
- How long does the New Entrant rate apply?
- What happens when you stop qualifying?
- How sponsors handle the New Entrant rate
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is the New Entrant Rate?
When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, most applicants must be paid at least the going rate for their specific job. The going rate is set per SOC code and reflects median wages in that occupation, as measured by the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For many roles, that going rate is well above £41,700 per year.
The New Entrant rate is a permitted exception. Workers who meet certain criteria can be sponsored at 70% of the going rate for their SOC code, provided they earn at least £30,960 per year. This is particularly relevant for graduate-level roles where the occupation's going rate significantly exceeds the general Skilled Worker minimum.
The New Entrant rate must be declared by the sponsor on the Certificate of Sponsorship. If it is not explicitly applied, the full going rate applies.
Who Qualifies for the New Entrant Rate?
New Entrant Rate Checker
Tick any criteria that apply to you. One is enough to qualify for the reduced rate.
✓ You qualify for the New Entrant Rate: your salary only needs to reach 70% of the going rate (minimum £30,960/year).
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Search by job title or SOC code to calculate your exact New Entrant threshold.
70% of the going rate falls below the £30,960 floor, so the minimum applies.
The New Entrant Rate applies for a maximum of 4 years total across all Skilled Worker visas. Confirm your going rate and eligibility with your sponsor before applying.
You can use the New Entrant rate if you meet at least one of the following conditions at the time of your visa application:
Age: You are under 26 years old on the date you apply.
Recent graduate: You have been awarded a UK or overseas bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD within the two years before your application date.
Current PhD student: You are currently studying for a PhD (or equivalent doctorate) at a UK or overseas institution, and the subject is relevant to the job being sponsored.
Visa switcher: You are switching from a Student visa or a Graduate Route visa to a Skilled Worker visa within the UK.
You only need to meet one of these criteria, not all of them. Your sponsor confirms which criterion applies on the CoS.
New Entrant vs Standard Going Rate
The table below illustrates how the New Entrant rate works in practice for a sample of SOC codes. Figures are based on 2024/2025 going rates.
| Role example | Standard going rate | New Entrant rate (70%) | Absolute minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer (SOC 2136) | £49,400/year | £34,580/year | £30,960/year |
| Marketing manager (SOC 1132) | £52,000/year | £36,400/year | £30,960/year |
| Civil engineer (SOC 2121) | £44,200/year | £30,940/year | £30,960/year |
| Registered nurse (SOC 2231) | £38,700/year | £27,090/year | £30,960/year |
Note: if 70% of the going rate falls below £30,960, the absolute minimum of £30,960 applies instead. Always check current going rates in Appendix Skilled Occupations before sponsoring. The registered nurse example is worth noting: 70% of the going rate falls below the absolute minimum, so the minimum kicks in instead. This catches out sponsors who calculate the discount without checking the floor.
How Long Does the New Entrant Rate Apply?
The New Entrant rate can apply for a maximum of four years from the start of your first Skilled Worker visa (or any preceding leave in a sponsored work route where the New Entrant rate was used).
After four years, you must be paid at least the full standard going rate for your SOC code, regardless of whether you still meet any of the personal qualifying criteria. If your employer cannot meet the full going rate at renewal, they will need to reassess the sponsorship arrangement.
The four-year clock runs from the start of your qualifying leave, not from each individual visa grant. So if you have a three-year visa and then renew for a further two years, you only have one further year at the New Entrant rate before you must move to the full going rate.
What Happens When You Stop Qualifying?
When the New Entrant rate period ends (either because you no longer meet the personal criteria, or because four years have passed), your employer must increase your salary to at least the full going rate before your next visa application.
This does not automatically trigger a change to your visa conditions mid-grant. However, at renewal, the going rate check applies in full. If your salary is below the standard going rate at the point of renewal and you no longer qualify for the New Entrant rate, your application will be refused.
It is good practice to review your salary position 6 to 12 months before your visa expires to avoid last-minute issues.
How Sponsors Handle the New Entrant Rate
Sponsors must select the New Entrant rate option in the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) when assigning a CoS. They must confirm:
- Which qualifying criterion the worker meets
- That the salary offered meets at least 70% of the going rate for the SOC code
- That the salary is at least £30,960 per year
- That the worker has not yet exceeded four years of New Entrant rate usage
Sponsors should keep evidence of the qualifying criterion (for example, a copy of the degree certificate or confirmation of Student visa history) in case of a sponsor compliance visit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the New Entrant rate always applies to graduates. It only applies if the degree was awarded within the last two years. A degree awarded three years ago does not qualify unless you also meet another criterion.
- Forgetting the four-year cap. Workers who have already used New Entrant rate sponsorship on a previous visa may have limited time remaining. Check the history before applying.
- Confusing the £30,960 minimum with the 70% rate. The minimum is £30,960, but if 70% of the going rate is higher, you must pay the higher amount.
- Failing to keep evidence of the qualifying criterion. If the Home Office asks why the New Entrant rate was used and the sponsor cannot produce a degree certificate or Student visa history, that is a compliance failure waiting to happen.
- Renewing on New Entrant rate without checking eligibility. At renewal, the qualifying criteria must still be met, or four years must not have elapsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Entrant salary threshold in 2025?
The New Entrant rate is 70% of the standard going rate for your SOC code, subject to a minimum of £30,960 per year. You must be paid whichever is higher: 70% of the going rate, or £30,960.
Who qualifies for the New Entrant rate?
You qualify if you are under 26 at the time of application, have been awarded your degree within the last two years, are currently studying for a UK or overseas PhD in a subject relevant to the job, or are switching from a Student visa or Graduate Route visa to a Skilled Worker visa.
How long can I be paid at the New Entrant rate?
The New Entrant rate can apply for up to four years in total. After that, your employer must pay you at least the full standard going rate for your SOC code.
Can my employer pay me the New Entrant rate when I renew my visa?
Only if you still meet at least one of the qualifying criteria at the point of the new application and have not yet used up four years at the discounted rate. If you have already had four years at the New Entrant rate, you must move to the full going rate on renewal.
Does the New Entrant rate apply to all Skilled Worker roles?
It applies to most Skilled Worker roles. However, certain occupations with their own fixed salary rules (such as some healthcare roles) may have different arrangements. Always check the specific going rate for your SOC code.
Related Terms
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