Important Updates
Important Updates
October 8, 2025 | United StatesSports Lawyer Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz
October 8, 2025 | BrazilBrazil: Visitor Status Expanded to Include Certain Technical Activities
October 8, 2025 | United KingdomManaging Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"
October 8, 2025 | PolandPoland: New Requirements Forthcoming for Identification Number Applicants and for Health Benefits for Children of Foreign Nationals
October 8, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Nationals of Lesotho and Zimbabwean Now Eligible for Automatically Extended Exemption Permits
October 8, 2025 | United StatesSports Lawyer Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz
October 8, 2025 | BrazilBrazil: Visitor Status Expanded to Include Certain Technical Activities
October 8, 2025 | United KingdomManaging Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"
October 8, 2025 | PolandPoland: New Requirements Forthcoming for Identification Number Applicants and for Health Benefits for Children of Foreign Nationals
October 8, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Nationals of Lesotho and Zimbabwean Now Eligible for Automatically Extended Exemption Permits
October 8, 2025 | United StatesSports Lawyer Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Going Rate Changes: The Elephant in the Room

March 6, 2024

London

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

The UK Home Office published a Factsheet on net migration measures on 21 December 2023 which gave further detail to the broad measures announced by the Home Secretary in Parliament earlier that month on 4 December aimed at reducing net migration. The detailed Statement of Changes is now expected to be laid on 14 March.

The 44% increase in the general salary threshold for Skilled Workers from £26,200 to £38,700 attracted headlines. However, those involved in the business of work sponsorship should note that, in the case of higher-skilled work, the increase to the ‘going rate’ will more often be significant.

The factsheet set out further detail in several respects, including (with emphasis):

“Increasing the minimum earnings threshold for Skilled Worker visas from £26,200 to £38,700 and raise the individual occupation ‘going rate’ thresholds in line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs in 2023.”

For a role to be eligible for a work permit, it must pay the higher of:

  1. the general salary threshold;
  2. the going rate; and
  3. the national minimum wage.

Understanding Going Rates

It is important to understand that the current going rates are based on the 25th percentile for wages for that occupation (see Guidance on the 2020 PBS launch, paragraph 3), based on data collected in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The underlined statement above confirms that the going rate will increase to the median full-time wage (the 50th percentile).

This provides a better indication of the likely increases in minimum salaries for sponsored workers coming down the line next week. The following table shows what the changes would look like for a sprinkling of highly skilled (RQF6+) roles. (Taken from the ASHE 2023 provisional dataset Table 14.7a. Some occupations have been re-coded since the change of rules, so SOC codes do not always map.)

Occupation

Current going rate

Median wage

Chief executives and senior officials

£59,300

£80,256

Financial managers and directors

£42,800

£63,637

IT project and programme managers

£39,100

£51,815

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

£37,600

£50,737

Programmers and software development professionals

£34,000

£48,229

Human resource managers and directors

£36,500

£47,724

Production and process engineers

£32,000

£43,466

Web design and development professionals

£26,800

£40,783

The SOC codes have a hierarchical structure with xy a subheading of x and so on. The ONS ASHE dataset helpfully gives averages across all headings. Therefore, we can more generally look at the average, taken as far as codes 1-3.

Description

Code

Number of jobs (thousands)

Median wage

All employees

 

22,480

£29,669

Managers, directors and senior officials

1

2,583

£45,348

Corporate managers and directors

11

2,053

£50,160

Other managers and proprietors

12

530

£34,395

Professional occupations

2

6,593

£40,448

Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

21

1,624

£45,348

Health professionals

22

1,561

£35,572

Teaching and other educational professionals

23

1,499

£38,580

Business, media and public service professionals

24

1,908

£42,002

Associate professional occupations

3

3,435

£32,245

Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

31

716

£31,268

Health and social care associate professionals

32

492

£23,076

Protective service occupations

33

310

£42,746

Culture, media and sports occupations

34

167

£25,341

Business and public service associate professionals

35

1,751

£35,060

Analysis

In the case of many private sector roles, the 50th percentile for wages is more than the new general salary threshold. What conclusions can be drawn from this?

First, to the extent that discussion of the changes has focused on the general salary threshold increase, this will underestimate the impact on key occupation codes.

Second, this makes more significant the confirmation that those already in the route before the rule changes will be exempted from the increases (subject to continuing to meet the 25th percentile threshold):

“Those already in the Skilled Worker route before the Immigration Rules changes should be exempt from the new median salary levels when they change sponsor, extend, or settle.”

The impact of remaining available discounts, for example, New Entrant, will also increase.

Finally, the going rate for eligible health and education occupation codes, i.e., NHS workers, care workers and education professionals are based on national pay scales. An increase in the going rate to the 50th percentile for pay will have no effect. This creates a discrepancy in the ease of work permit sponsorship for the public compared to the private sector.

Need to know more?

For more information on salary threshold changes please contact Senior Manager Alexander Finch at [email protected].

This blog was published on 6 March 2024, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Awards

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Sports Lawyer Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz

Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Learn more

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Awards

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Sports Lawyer Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz

Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Learn more

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.