The new entrant salary discount is one of the most underused tools in the UK Skilled Worker visa system. It reduces the general salary threshold from £38,700 to £30,960 — a significant drop that makes sponsorship viable for roles and budgets that would otherwise fall short. But many UK employers do not know it exists, or do not realise their candidate qualifies. This guide explains who qualifies as a new entrant, how the discount works, and how employers use it strategically.
What Is the New Entrant Rate?
The new entrant rate allows certain workers to be sponsored at a lower salary threshold — the higher of £30,960 or the going rate for their SOC code — instead of the standard £38,700. This represents a reduction of up to £7,740 per year.
Who Qualifies as a New Entrant?
Qualifying Criteria (Any One of These)
• Under 26 years old at the date of application
• Switching from a Student visa or Graduate visa to Skilled Worker
• Working towards a recognised professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, chartered accountancy, some medical training posts)
• In a postdoctoral position at a higher education provider or research institution
• Working towards full professional registration in certain regulated professions
The Salary Maths
For roles where the going rate is below £30,960, the new entrant rate means the minimum salary is £30,960. For roles where the going rate is above £30,960 (e.g., software developer at £45,400), the going rate is the binding constraint and the new entrant discount does not help.
The biggest impact is on mid-skill roles where the going rate sits between £25,000–£35,000. For these roles, the new entrant rate drops the threshold by up to £7,740.
Duration of New Entrant Status
New entrant rates apply for the first visa only — typically the first grant of up to 4 years. When the worker extends their visa, they must meet the full salary threshold at that point. Plan salary progression accordingly.
Strategic Use of the New Entrant Rate
How Smart Employers Use It
• Hire international graduates from UK universities — they are switching from Student/Graduate visa, so they automatically qualify. This is the single most common use case.
• Target candidates under 26 — age alone qualifies them, regardless of visa history.
• Structure training roles — if the worker is working towards a professional qualification, document the training pathway clearly on the CoS.
• Plan salary progression — hire at £30,960 on new entrant rates, with a documented plan to reach the full threshold before visa extension.
How Recruitroo Identifies New Entrant Opportunities
Recruitroo's platform automatically checks whether a candidate qualifies for new entrant rates based on their age, current visa status and qualification pathway. When eligible, we model the cost saving and flag it in the hiring workflow. Many employers discover they can sponsor roles they assumed were too expensive.
Wondering if your candidate qualifies for the new entrant discount?
Send us the candidate's age, current visa status and the role. We'll confirm eligibility and model the salary and cost implications.
Get a QuoteSee Client StoriesThis guide reflects UK new entrant salary rules as of May 2026. Thresholds and qualifying criteria are subject to change.