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Established Pathways and Salary Requirements

Immigration Salary List Occupations

Certain occupations are included in the Immigration
Salary List (Options D and I in Appendix Skilled Worker).
An example of a role on this list is a Biological Scientist (SOC
2112). This profession involves studying the structure, function,
and behaviour of living organisms, conducting research on life
processes, and providing expert advice on matters like disease
prevention. The minimum salary requirement for this role is to be
equal to or exceeding £33,400 per annum and the role-specific
going rate. If an individual was granted Skilled Worker status
under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, the minimum salary
requirement is lower: equal to or exceeding £25,000 per annum
and the role-specific going rate.

Standard Skilled Worker Occupations

Many key medical research roles fall under the Standard
Skilled Worker Occupations (Options A and F in Appendix Skilled
Worker). These include Biochemists and Biomedical
Scientists (SOC 2113), who study chemical processes to understand
diseases and are instrumental in developing new pharmaceutical
products, and Research and Development Managers (SOC 2161), who
establish product design objectives and develop research
methodologies. Other examples are Health Services and Public Health
Managers and Directors (SOC 1171), who oversee healthcare units and
manage staff, and Chemical Scientists (SOC 2111), who develop
experimental procedures and conduct analysis to identify chemical
compositions. The minimum salary for these standard routes is
higher, requiring the salary to be equal to or exceeding
£41,700 per annum and the role-specific going rate. For those
granted Skilled Worker status before 4 April 2024, minimum salary
is set at equal to or exceeding £31,300 per annum and the
role-specific going rate.

Health and Care ASHE Occupations

The Skilled Worker route also includes pathways for
Health and Care ASHE occupations (Appendix F to J of
Appendix Skilled Worker). These occupations include
Laboratory Technician (SOC 3111), a role focused on setting up
apparatus, preparing materials for analysis, and recording data,
and Pharmaceutical Technician (SOC 3212), who prepares and
dispenses prescribed drugs under a pharmacist’s
supervision.

Pathways for PhD Holders

Those with PhD in a subject relevant to the job they
will be sponsored (Options B, C, G, and H of Appendix Skilled
Worker) can also claim points and meet a different minimum
salary requirement. The minimum salary requirement depends on the
subject of the qualification. For a PhD in a STEM subject, the
salary must be equal to or exceeding £33,400 per annum and
the role-specific going rate. The transitional salary for this
group, for those granted the visa before 4 April 2024, is equal to
or exceeding £25,000 per annum. If the PhD is in any other
subject, the minimum salary must be equal to or exceeding
£37,500 per annum and the role-specific going rate, with a
transitional salary of equal to or exceeding £28,200 per
annum. Sponsors must provide a credible explanation as to how the
PhD qualifies as a STEM subject.

Employers can sponsor PhD students who have completed their
course, provided the student completed at least 24 months of study
before the start date of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Considerations for Long-Term Planning

As the UK raises visa skill thresholds, both professionals and
sponsors must adapt. For migrants, focusing on demonstrating
high-skill work and pursuing advanced qualifications to strengthen
your case against future threshold is vital. For sponsors,
future-proofing your hiring is the way to go. Design roles that
emphasise specialised knowledge and judgment, not just procedural
work. Audit which positions might become ineligible and consider
restructuring or upskilling strategies. Companies should also
consider securing essential talent while relevant occupation codes
have not been removed from the Immigration rules.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.