UK Work Visa Salary Rules Could Ease for Foreign Workers Under New MAC Proposals

Getting a UK work visa could become easier for many foreign professionals, including Indians, if the British government accepts a fresh set of recommendations from the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The independent advisory body has proposed lower salary requirements across several sponsored work routes, a move that could widen access to UK jobs at a time when employers continue to face recruitment gaps.

For foreign professionals, who remain one of the largest groups receiving UK Skilled Worker visas, the proposals could improve eligibility across a range of occupations.

1. Skilled Worker Visa: Lower Occupation Salary Thresholds Proposed

The MAC wants occupation-specific salary requirements under the Skilled Worker route to be based on the 25th percentile of earnings rather than the current median salary benchmark.

In practical terms, this could lower the minimum salary needed for many jobs sponsored by UK employers. The committee has also recommended keeping the general salary threshold at GBP 41,700, although it suggested GBP 48,400 as an alternative level for government consideration.

For Indian professionals working in sectors such as engineering, IT, healthcare, construction, and education, lower occupation-specific thresholds could open doors to more sponsored roles.

2. New Entrants Could Benefit From More Flexible Salary Rules

The MAC has proposed introducing a single salary threshold of GBP 33,400 for new entrants entering the Skilled Worker route.

It also wants the current four-year limit on new entrant concessions to be extended. That would give younger professionals and recent graduates more time to benefit from lower salary requirements while building their careers in the UK.

This reflects a broader trend across immigration systems, where governments are trying to attract younger talent without placing the full burden of experienced-worker salary levels on employers.

3. PhD Salary Discounts Could Be Scrapped

One of the more surprising recommendations is the removal of salary discounts linked to PhD qualifications.

The committee argues that salary thresholds should apply more consistently across applicants. If post-doctoral salary concessions remain, the MAC wants them replaced with a single threshold of GBP 41,700 for a maximum period of four years.

For highly qualified Indian researchers and academics, this could mean fewer special salary exemptions but a simpler system overall.

4. Global Business Mobility Routes May See Salary Adjustments

The review also covers Global Business Mobility routes used by multinational companies transferring staff to the UK.

For Senior or Specialist Workers and UK Expansion Workers, the MAC recommends setting both general and occupation-specific salary thresholds at median salary levels for eligible occupations.

Meanwhile, Graduate Trainees would face a single salary threshold of GBP 33,400, while occupation-specific salary requirements would be removed altogether.

This could make internal company transfers more predictable for Indian employees working for global firms with UK operations.

5. Temporary Shortage List Jobs Would Still Require Competitive Salaries

The committee has proposed a minimum salary threshold of GBP 30,900 for jobs placed on the Temporary Shortage List.

Occupation-specific salary requirements would continue to apply and would be based on median earnings for each role. Unlike other routes, no salary discounts would be available.

The message is clear: shortage occupations may receive immigration support, but employers will still be expected to offer market-rate salaries.

6. Scale-up Visa Salary Rules Could Match Skilled Worker Route

The MAC has also recommended aligning salary requirements for the Scale-up route with those used under the Skilled Worker visa.

This would create greater consistency between the two routes designed to attract skilled overseas talent. For Indian professionals exploring opportunities with fast-growing UK companies, a more uniform system could reduce confusion during the application process.

7. Future Salary Calculations Could Become More Stable

In May 2026, the MAC published a technical note outlining how future salary thresholds could be calculated. Under the proposal:

• Salary thresholds would continue to include both a general threshold and occupation-specific rates.
• Occupation salaries would be based on UK earnings data for each job category.
• Alternative methods would be used where salary data is incomplete.
• Salary levels would be averaged across three years to avoid sudden annual jumps.

The proposals do not change current immigration rules, but they offer a strong indication of where UK immigration policy could be heading next.

What Does This Mean for Indian Workers?

Nothing changes immediately. UK employers and visa applicants must still follow current Home Office rules until the government formally responds.

However, MAC recommendations often carry considerable weight in shaping future immigration policy. If adopted, the changes could lower salary barriers across several work visa routes and make sponsorship more accessible for skilled foreign workers.

Travelobiz Take

We see this as a positive signal for Indian professionals targeting the UK job market. If adopted, lower salary thresholds could expand opportunities while helping employers fill persistent skills shortages.