UK Tier 2 Visa Eligibility Calculator
Instantly estimate your eligibility for the UK Skilled Worker route (formerly Tier 2 General) using current points and salary logic.
Expert Guide: How to Use a UK Tier 2 Visa Eligibility Calculator Properly
The UK Tier 2 visa category has evolved into what is now called the Skilled Worker visa. Many employers, applicants, recruiters, and relocation advisers still refer to it as “Tier 2,” so calculators with that phrase remain useful for search and planning. A high quality UK Tier 2 visa eligibility calculator helps you answer one practical question: do I have a realistic route to 70 points under current rules? This page is built to do exactly that in a transparent way.
The main reason people fail applications is not usually one giant mistake. It is often a set of smaller issues: salary below threshold for the chosen route, missing sponsor licence details, unclear evidence of English language ability, or incomplete maintenance and compliance evidence. A strong calculator gives you a structured pre-check before you spend on application fees, immigration health surcharge, legal support, and relocation costs.
Why this calculator focuses on points plus compliance checks
The Skilled Worker route is points based, but points alone are not enough. You can technically “score” well on paper and still fail if you do not satisfy mandatory documentary requirements. That is why this calculator combines two layers:
- Points layer: Mandatory points and tradable points under salary and route options.
- Compliance layer: Maintenance funds, criminality disclosures, and TB certificate status where applicable.
In practical visa strategy, this two-layer model is closer to how caseworkers and legal teams evaluate risk. If the points are strong but compliance is weak, your final approval probability remains low.
The core scoring model in plain English
Most applicants need 70 points. The usual structure is 50 mandatory points plus 20 tradable points. Mandatory points come from having a genuine job offer from an approved sponsor, correct skill level, and proof of English language ability. Tradable points usually come from salary level and specific route discounts, such as new entrant rules or PhD-related salary flexibility.
- Confirm the role itself is eligible and genuinely sponsored.
- Confirm the role skill level meets the required occupational level.
- Confirm English requirement can be proven.
- Check salary against the appropriate threshold and occupation going rate.
- Apply discount logic only where rules allow it, then test compliance evidence.
If any mandatory condition fails, the application is typically non-viable regardless of salary. If mandatory conditions pass but tradable points do not, you generally need either a different salary package, a different eligibility route, or a different role code.
Current threshold context and what it means for applicants
One major policy change applicants must understand is the increase in the general salary threshold. For many cases, the baseline threshold rose from £26,200 to £38,700. That is a substantial shift and changes who qualifies under the standard route versus discounted routes.
| Threshold Type | Previous Figure | Current Figure | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| General salary threshold (typical Skilled Worker baseline) | £26,200 | £38,700 | +£12,500 (+47.7%) |
| New entrant minimum floor | Route-dependent historic values | £30,960 | Varies by role and going rate |
| Discount check for relevant PhD route | Percentage model in place | 90% of going rate test (plus salary floor) | Still requires careful occupation code matching |
| Discount check for relevant STEM PhD route | Percentage model in place | 80% of going rate test (plus salary floor) | Only valid where role relevance is evidenced |
The key strategic takeaway is this: salary planning is now central. If your offer is close to the line, the exact occupation code and going rate method become critical. Employers and applicants should review role coding early, not after issuing documentation.
How wider migration and labor data should influence your planning
Visa planning does not happen in isolation. UK migration and labor market data can influence policy enforcement, processing pressure, and employer sponsorship behavior. The table below summarizes official trend figures frequently referenced in policy discussions.
| Official UK Net Migration Estimate (Year Ending) | Estimated Net Migration | Practical Planning Impact |
|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 184,000 | Post-pandemic recovery period with transition effects. |
| June 2022 | 764,000 | Large increase in overall migration pressures and policy attention. |
| June 2023 | 906,000 | Peak period that contributed to tighter rule discussions. |
| June 2024 (provisional) | 728,000 | Downward movement, but still high relative to historical levels. |
These figures come from UK official statistical releases. Why does this matter for you? Because when migration numbers are politically sensitive, scrutiny of compliance evidence tends to increase. That means your documentation quality can matter as much as your core points score.
Common calculator mistakes that create false confidence
- Using gross salary without checking guaranteed pay rules: not all allowances count equally.
- Ignoring occupation going rate: passing the headline threshold alone may not be enough.
- Selecting “new entrant” without real eligibility: this route has strict criteria and time limits.
- Assuming all PhDs are equal: relevance to the sponsored role matters.
- Skipping sponsor licence validation: a non-compliant sponsor can derail a strong candidate.
- Forgetting supporting checks: maintenance, TB evidence, and disclosure obligations still apply.
How employers should use this tool in recruitment workflow
For HR teams and global mobility leads, this calculator works best as an early-stage screening checkpoint before issuing final offer letters. A practical workflow looks like this:
- Capture candidate profile and proposed occupation code.
- Run initial points and salary route test.
- Confirm sponsor licence status and CoS readiness.
- Validate English evidence pathway and timing.
- Run compliance checklist review before formal visa submission.
This process reduces late-stage surprises, cuts rework, and improves candidate experience. It also supports better audit readiness if your organization is reviewed by UK authorities.
How individual applicants should interpret a “Not Eligible” result
A “Not Eligible” calculator result does not automatically mean “no UK route exists.” It usually means “this exact data set does not satisfy this route today.” In practice, many applicants improve outcomes by adjusting one of these factors:
- Securing a revised salary package that aligns with the role code going rate.
- Switching to a role where their skills and pay align more naturally.
- Using a valid new entrant pathway where all conditions are met.
- Strengthening English evidence before submission.
- Fixing compliance evidence gaps that are procedural, not structural.
In other words, the calculator should be used as a strategic decision aid, not just a yes-or-no gate.
Document preparation checklist before you apply
- Certificate of Sponsorship details exactly matching role and salary.
- Passport and identity evidence with valid travel history data.
- English language proof through accepted test, degree route, or nationality exemption.
- Financial maintenance evidence where sponsor does not certify maintenance.
- TB certificate where required by your country and visa type conditions.
- Accurate declarations on criminal history and prior immigration issues.
Strong applications are internally consistent. Salary, job code, duties, and qualification evidence should all tell the same story. If one element appears inconsistent, caseworkers may request further evidence or refuse the case.
Important sources you should always verify before submission
Immigration rules change. Always cross-check with official sources before paying for an application. Start with the route guidance and policy updates, then verify current statistics and operational notes.
- UK Government: Skilled Worker visa guidance
- UK Government: Immigration system statistics
- ONS: International migration statistics
Final advice
Treat this UK Tier 2 visa eligibility calculator as a practical planning engine. It helps you quickly test whether your profile appears viable under current logic, identify weak points, and prioritize evidence gathering. For straightforward profiles, this can save time and costs. For borderline profiles, it gives you a concrete list of factors to improve before submission.
If your case involves unusual salary structures, complicated occupation coding, prior refusals, or switching complexities, professional legal review is strongly recommended. A small correction early in the process can prevent expensive delays later. Use this tool first, then make decisions based on verified, up-to-date official guidance.