New Entrant Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker route lets certain earlier-career applicants qualify as a New Entrant, which can allow a reduced salary where the Immigration Rules permit. But New Entrant status is not a separate visa, isn't available to everyone, has specific eligibility requirements, and is time-limited. You must still satisfy all the other Skilled Worker requirements. This page explains who qualifies and how it works — the salary maths lives on the salary page.
On this page
In brief
- The New Entrant provision lets certain earlier-career applicants qualify for a reduced salary where the Rules permit.
- It is not a separate visa, is not available to everyone, and is time-limited.
- You must still satisfy all other Skilled Worker requirements.
- The guide explains who qualifies (age and graduate pathways) — the salary maths is on the salary page.
What is a New Entrant?
The New Entrant provisions are designed for certain workers at an earlier stage of their career. Rather than treating every Skilled Worker the same, the Immigration Rules let some applicants qualify under a different salary option. On this site, the salary maths (the reduced figure and going-rate percentage) lives on the salary page as Option E — this page is about whether you fit one of the New Entrant pathways in the first place.
"New entrant" has a specific immigration meaning — it does not simply mean "this is my first job in the UK." You must fit one of the recognised pathways below.
Who can qualify?
The sponsor guidance identifies several possible pathways. A worker may qualify if, for example, they:
Professional training
Working towards a UK professional qualification or chartered status.
More →New Entrant eligibility checker
Answer three questions to see your likely position. This tool points you to the right pathway and guidance — it does not decide your eligibility.
Guidance only — not a decision on your application, and not a salary calculation. Confirm your position on GOV.UK or with an adviser.
Age pathway
One possible pathway is based on age — broadly, being under 26 on the date of application. Age alone is not necessarily enough on its own, and thresholds can change, so confirm the current rule before relying on it.
Graduate route pathway
Some applicants moving from the Graduate route may qualify as a New Entrant where the Immigration Rules are met.
Student route pathway
Certain applicants switching from Student permission may also qualify where the rules allow. Where New Entrant status is based on previous Student permission, the qualifying course must be a specified UK qualification (for example a UK bachelor's, master's, PhD, PGCE or Professional Graduate Diploma of Education), with rules about completing — or being close to completing — the course.
→ Switching from Student to Skilled Worker
Professional training
Some professional training pathways can qualify — for example, working towards a recognised UK professional qualification in a regulated profession, or towards full registration or chartered status with the relevant professional body.
Postdoctoral researchers
Certain postdoctoral positions may also satisfy the New Entrant provisions. If you're being sponsored for a research or postdoctoral role, this pathway is worth checking.
→ Ask us about the postdoctoral pathway
Salary
Where you qualify as a New Entrant, the applicable Skilled Worker salary rules determine how your salary is assessed — this is Option E on the salary page, which sets out the reduced figure and going-rate percentage. We don't repeat those figures here so there's a single source to keep up to date.
→ Skilled Worker salary requirements (Option E) (salary calculator in development)
Time limit — New Entrant is temporary
Four-year limit. The New Entrant provisions can be used for a maximum combined period of 4 years — this can include time on Skilled Worker, Tier 2 (General) and the Graduate route (even if not continuous). You can't use New Entrant for only part of the period requested: if the grant would take your combined time beyond four years, another salary option normally has to be satisfied. Plan ahead for when the standard salary rules will apply.
What happens afterwards?
When the New Entrant provisions no longer apply, your future applications should satisfy the applicable standard Skilled Worker salary requirements. Check that a future extension will still meet the salary rules before you rely on it.
Settlement
New Entrant status does not create a separate settlement route. Settlement remains subject to the Skilled Worker settlement requirements.
→ Skilled Worker ILR & settlement
Common mistakes
- Believing New Entrant is a separate visa — it's a salary option within the Skilled Worker route.
- Assuming everyone under a certain age qualifies — age alone is not necessarily sufficient.
- Assuming a lower salary always applies — salary depends on the applicable Skilled Worker rules.
- Thinking New Entrant status lasts forever — the provisions are time-limited (a combined maximum of four years).
- Forgetting future extensions — later applications may require a different salary assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is a New Entrant? +
A category within the Skilled Worker route that may allow a different salary assessment where the Immigration Rules permit, for certain earlier-career applicants.
Is New Entrant a separate visa? +
No. It is a salary option within the Skilled Worker route.
Can Graduates qualify as a New Entrant? +
Potentially, depending on the applicable Immigration Rules.
Can Students qualify? +
Potentially, where they meet the additional Student-route requirements and the qualifying-course rules.
How long can New Entrant status last? +
The provisions can be used for a combined maximum of four years across the relevant routes.
Does New Entrant lead to settlement? +
No. Settlement follows the normal Skilled Worker settlement rules.
Related guidance
Our fees
Fixed fees. Figures are "From" because your exact fee depends on your circumstances — confirmed in writing before we start. These are our professional fees only; Home Office fees and any Immigration Health Surcharge are separate.
Disclaimer. The information on this page provides general information about UK immigration law and does not constitute legal advice on any individual immigration application. The eligibility checker gives general guidance only, routing you to the likely pathway — it does not decide whether you qualify as a New Entrant, and it is not a salary calculation. New Entrant criteria, age thresholds and time limits are set by the Immigration Rules and may change. You should seek professional advice before making an application or relying on the information provided.
Source basis: the UK Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker and the related work-route Appendices, together with the Home Office caseworker guidance published on GOV.UK. Immigration Rules and guidance change; confirm the current version on GOV.UK before applying.
Eyyup Yaprak
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Founded to make regulated advice honest and accessible.
Before founding the practice, Eyyup spent 10 years teaching English in Turkey and Liverpool, so every stage of an application is explained clearly, in English or Turkish. A BA and MA in English Language Teaching and an Associate Degree in Computer Programming & Technology sit alongside AAT Level 4 in Accounting, giving a strong grasp of the financial evidence many visa categories require.
Casework spans family, work, settlement and Ankara Agreement (ECAA) applications, plus sponsor licence guidance for employers.
Think you might be a New Entrant?
Qualifying can significantly reduce the salary you need — but the pathways are specific and the clock is limited to four years. We can confirm whether you fit and what salary you'll need.