UK Skilled Worker Points Calculator

How the UK Skilled Worker points system works

The UK Skilled Worker visa uses a points-based immigration system. You must usually score at least 70 points across a mix of mandatory and tradeable criteria. This calculator helps you estimate your score based on common factors such as having a licensed sponsor, your job skill level, English language ability, salary, shortage occupation status, and any relevant PhD qualifications.

Your total here is an estimate only. It does not replace the official rules or personalised advice from a qualified immigration adviser.

Core (mandatory) points

The following elements are typically mandatory for the Skilled Worker route and together normally make up 50 points:

• Job offer from a licensed sponsor – your UK employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible role.
• Job at the required skill level – the role must usually be at RQF Level 3 or above (roughly equivalent to A-level or above).
• English language at CEFR B1 or above – you must show English ability in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the required level through an approved test, qualifications, or nationality.

If you do not meet these core conditions, you will not qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, even if your overall points from other factors look high.

Tradeable points

Once the core conditions are satisfied, you add tradeable points from salary, shortage occupation status, and certain PhD-level qualifications to reach or exceed the typical 70‑point threshold. These points are called “tradeable” because different combinations can be used to make up your total. For example, a lower salary might be balanced by working in a shortage occupation or holding a relevant PhD.

Key formulas for your total points

This calculator uses a simple additive model. For each factor, you select the option that applies to you; the calculator assigns points and sums them.

In mathematical terms, the total points (T) are:

T = Pjob + Pskill + Penglish + Psalary + Pshortage + PPhD

Where each component is the points from that category.

The same relationship in MathML is:

The calculator then compares your total to the typical threshold of 70 points:

• T ≥ 70 – you may meet the general points requirement, subject to all other eligibility conditions.
• T < 70 – you are likely below the standard points requirement, based on the simplified assumptions used here.

Points by category

Job offer from a licensed sponsor

Points used in this tool:

• Yes – 20 points
• No – 0 points

The employer must be approved by the Home Office and appear on the list of licensed sponsors. Without this, a Skilled Worker application is usually not possible under the standard rules.

Job at the required skill level

Points used in this tool:

• Yes (RQF 3 or higher) – 20 points
• No – 0 points

The job must be in an eligible occupation code at the correct skill level. The official list of eligible occupations is published by the Home Office.

English language proficiency

Points used in this tool:

• CEFR B1 or above – 10 points
• Below B1 / cannot prove English – 0 points

Most applicants need to pass an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), hold an approved English-taught degree, or be a national of a majority English-speaking country to claim these points.

Annual salary bands

This calculator simplifies the salary rules into three broad bands:

• £25,600 or more – 20 points
• £23,040 to £25,599 – 10 points
• Below £23,040 – 0 points

In reality, the Skilled Worker rules are more detailed and compare your salary to a “going rate” for your specific occupation as well as general salary thresholds. This tool does not model every special case.

Shortage occupation status

Points used in this tool:

• Role is on the Shortage Occupation List – 20 points
• Not on the list – 0 points

The Shortage Occupation List includes roles for which there are not enough resident workers in the UK. Working in a shortage occupation can make it easier to qualify, but you must still meet other requirements such as salary and skill level.

Relevant PhD

Points used in this tool:

• STEM PhD relevant to the job – 20 points
• Other relevant PhD – 10 points
• No relevant PhD – 0 points

The PhD must be relevant to the job you are being sponsored for, and in the case of a STEM PhD, the subject must fall within science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, as defined by the guidance.

Comparison table: criteria and points

How to interpret your result

When you use the calculator, you will see a total points figure based on your selections. You can think of the output in these broad bands:

• 70 points or more – You may meet the standard points requirement for the Skilled Worker route, assuming the information you entered matches the formal criteria (for example, your salary genuinely meets the Home Office thresholds for your occupation). You will still need to satisfy all other immigration requirements.
• 50 to 69 points – You are close but may fall short of the general points requirement under the simplified model. You might need to adjust one or more elements, such as increasing salary, confirming shortage occupation status, or demonstrating a relevant PhD, if available.
• Below 50 points – It is unlikely you will meet the Skilled Worker points requirement on the basis of the factors included here. You may need to consider alternative visa routes or different job offers that better meet the criteria.

Always remember that the Skilled Worker rules are detailed and sometimes change. The calculator cannot cover every exception, discount, or occupational rule.

Worked example

Imagine an applicant with the following situation:

• They have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence.
• The role is at RQF Level 3 or higher.
• They meet the English language requirement at CEFR B1.
• Their salary is £26,000 per year.
• The job is not on the Shortage Occupation List.
• They do not hold a PhD.

Using the calculator logic:

• Job offer from licensed sponsor: 20 points
• Job at required skill level: 20 points
• English language B1 or above: 10 points
• Salary £25,600 or more: 20 points
• Shortage occupation: 0 points
• Relevant PhD: 0 points

Total points:

T = 20 + 20 + 10 + 20 + 0 + 0 = 70 points

On this simplified model, the applicant reaches 70 points and appears to meet the general points threshold for the Skilled Worker route. However, they would still need to make sure that:

• The occupation code is eligible and correctly matched to the job.
• The salary meets or exceeds the “going rate” for that specific occupation, not just the general threshold.
• All documents and evidence meet Home Office requirements.

Limitations and assumptions of this calculator

This tool is designed as a quick guide, not a full legal or policy analysis. It relies on several important assumptions and simplifications:

• Simplified salary rules – The official Skilled Worker rules include multiple salary thresholds, going rates linked to occupation codes, and specific discounts (for example, for new entrants). This calculator uses broad salary bands instead of modelling every case.
• Standard route focus – The logic is based on the typical Skilled Worker route. It does not fully account for all specialist arrangements, transitional rules, or sector-specific concessions.
• Shortage occupation list changes – Whether a role is on the Shortage Occupation List can change over time. The calculator simply uses your answer and does not verify that your occupation code is actually on the latest list.
• PhD relevance – The tool assumes that if you select a PhD option, it is genuinely relevant to the role as defined by Home Office guidance. In real applications, this relevance can be assessed in more detail.
• No verification of evidence – The calculator does not check whether you can provide the necessary documents (for example, English language certificates, degree certificates, employment contracts, or sponsorship documents). Home Office decisions rely heavily on evidence.
• Rules can change – Immigration rules, salary thresholds, and lists such as the Shortage Occupation List may be updated. The information and point bands used here may become outdated if the rules change.

Because of these limitations, your result should be treated as indicative only. A total of 70 points in this calculator does not guarantee that your visa application will be approved, and a lower score does not necessarily mean you have no options at all.

Important disclaimer

This calculator is for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute immigration advice or legal advice. Your actual eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa depends on your full circumstances, the exact terms of your job offer, and the current UK immigration rules at the time you apply.

If your situation is complex, you are close to the threshold, or you are unsure how the rules apply to you, consider speaking to a qualified immigration adviser or solicitor who can review your case in detail.