Business Immigration update for sponsor licence holders
Does your organisation have a sponsor licence?
If so, be mindful that minimum and going rate salaries for sponsored roles are increasing for any certificates of sponsorship (CoS) issued on or after 12 April 2023, following recent updates to the Immigration Rules.
The following increases will apply:
| Minimum salary for a skilled worker (unless a higher “going rate” applies) |
Current Rate £25,600/ £10.10 per hour |
Increased rate for CoS issued after 12 April 2023 £26,200 (£10.75 per hour) |
| Discounted gross minimum annual salary for those roles on a shortage occupation list (unless a higher discounted “going rate” applies) |
Current Rate £20,480 |
Increased rate for CoS issued after 12 April 2023 £20,960 |
| Minimum salary for the global mobility route (GBM): senior or specialist worker |
Current Rate £42,400 |
Increased rate for CoS issued after 12 April 2023 £45,800 |
| mobility route (GBM): graduate trainee |
Current Rate £23,100 |
Increased rate for CoS issued after 12 April 2023 £24,220 |
Additionally, the table of going rate salaries for eligible occupations (skilled worker and GBM route) are due to increase for Cos’s issued on or after from 12 April 2023.
Calculation of hours
For CoS’s issued after 12 April 2023, annual salaries should be calculated on the basis of a 37.5 rather than a 39-hour working week.
Changes to salary calculations for those with irregular working hours
The Immigration Rules will also change to enable employers to calculate salaries where an employee works an irregular pattern and receives uneven pay each week. Time worked over 48 hours per week can count towards salary thresholds if the average weekly hours worked (calculated over no more than a 17-week reference period) is 48 hours or less. Any unpaid weeks will also count towards the average salary.
Can we help?
Our business immigration experts at Muckle LLP are always at hand to support organisations wishing to recruit migrant workers.
If you have a query about the employment of migrant workers, or need advice about business immigration, get in touch with Amy directly at [email protected] or 0191 211 7995.