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Why Choose TMS The Migration School UK Immigration Points Calculator?

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Use our free calculator above to check your score instantly. You need exactly 70 points to qualify – 50 from mandatory criteria and 20 from tradeable characteristics.

UK Eligibility Points Calculator – How the System Works

The Skilled Worker route is the primary pathway for employers in the UK to recruit international talent. It is governed by the Home Office and operates on a points‑based framework introduced in January 2021.

Points are awarded across two types of criteria:

Mandatory

Mandatory Characteristics (50 points)

These must all be met together. They include a confirmed job offer from an approved sponsor, a role at the appropriate skill level (RQF 3+), and English language proficiency at the required level.

Tradeable

Tradeable Characteristics (20 points)

These allow flexibility – you can combine salary level, shortage occupation status, and PhD qualifications in different ways to reach the remaining 20 points. There is no single 'route' to 70.

A candidate with a lower salary can still qualify if they hold a PhD relevant to the role, or if their occupation appears on the Shortage Occupation List.

Characteristics	Mandatory / Tradeable	Points
Offer of job by approved sponsor	Mandatory	20
Job at appropriate skill level (RQF 3 or above)	Mandatory	20
English language at required level	Mandatory	10
Salary of £25,600 or above, or at least the going rate (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	20
Salary of £23,040 – £25,599, or at least 90% of the going rate	Tradeable	10
Salary of £20,480 – £23,039, or at least 80% of the going rate	Tradeable	0
Job in a Shortage Occupation (as designated by the MAC)	Tradeable	20
PhD in a subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	10
PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	20
Total Points Required		70

⚡ You need exactly 70 points to qualify. Mandatory criteria (50 points) must all be met. The remaining 20 points can be achieved through any valid combination of tradeable characteristics.

What Are the Categories Considered for Points?

Each of the following categories is scored individually within the points system.

Category 1: Approved Sponsor Job Offer

To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Home Office sponsor licence. Your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – a unique reference number you include in your visa application.

Option	Points
Yes – I have a confirmed job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor with a valid CoS	20 (Mandatory)
No	0 – Does not qualify

Category 2: Job Skill Level

The job you have been offered must meet a minimum skill threshold of RQF Level 3 (equivalent to A‑Levels or Scottish Highers) or above. Every eligible job has a corresponding Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code which determines whether it meets this requirement.

Option	Points
Yes – the job offer is at RQF Level 3 or above (as confirmed by its SOC code)	20 (Mandatory)
No – the job is below RQF Level 3	0 – Does not qualify

Category 3: English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate that you speak English to the required standard. There are several accepted ways to prove this, depending on your nationality and educational background.

Option	Points
Nationality: citizen of a majority English‑speaking country (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland)	10 (Mandatory)
Education: degree‑level qualification taught in English in a recognised majority English‑speaking country (verified by ECCTIS)	10 (Mandatory)
Approved English language test: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Trinity SELT at B1 level or above	10 (Mandatory)
None of the above	0 – Does not qualify

Category 4: Salary Level (Tradeable)

Salary is the primary tradeable factor. The applicable threshold is the higher of the general salary threshold (£25,600 per year) OR the 'going rate' for the specific SOC code of the job you've been offered. If your offered salary falls below the general threshold, you can still qualify by trading salary against other tradeable characteristics (PhD or Shortage Occupation status).

Salary Level	Points
£25,600 or above (or at least the going rate, whichever is higher)	20
£23,040 – £25,599 (or at least 90% of the going rate, whichever is higher)	10
£20,480 – £23,039 (or at least 80% of the going rate, whichever is higher)	0 (still eligible if trading with other tradeable points)
Below £20,480	Not eligible

Category 5: Shortage Occupation (Tradeable)

Certain occupations in the UK face a critical shortage of domestic candidates. If your job falls within a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), your employer benefits from reduced salary requirements and you earn additional tradeable points.

Option	Points
Yes – the job is on the Shortage Occupation List as designated by the MAC	20
No	0

Category 6: PhD Qualification (Tradeable)

Holding a PhD (doctoral‑level qualification) relevant to your job offer earns additional tradeable points. A STEM PhD earns more points, recognising the higher value of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics expertise in the UK labour market.

Option	Points
PhD in a STEM subject directly relevant to the job offer	20
PhD in any subject directly relevant to the job offer (non‑STEM)	10
No PhD, or PhD not relevant to the job	0

UK Shortage Occupation List – Key Sectors

If your job falls within one of the following shortage categories, you earn 20 tradeable points in the calculator and may benefit from reduced salary requirements. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) designates shortage occupations based on evidence of national skill gaps.

Note: The Shortage Occupation List is subject to periodic review. Always verify your occupation's current status before submitting an application.

Sector	Key Roles	Notes
Healthcare & Nursing	Nurses, doctors, paramedics, radiographers, occupational therapists, care workers	Consistently on the list due to NHS demand
Engineering	Civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers; CAD technicians	Roles across construction and infrastructure
Information Technology	Cyber security specialists, software engineers, data scientists, IT project managers	Growing shortage across public and private sectors
Education	Secondary school teachers (especially STEM subjects), special educational needs teachers	Teacher shortage particularly acute in sciences and maths
Social Work	Qualified social workers, children's services, adult social care	Local authority roles frequently on the list
Science & Research	Laboratory scientists, research fellows, veterinarians, geoscientists	Often STEM PhD‑holders benefit doubly here

How to Improve Your UK Skilled Worker Visa Score

If you're struggling to reach 70 points, here are the most effective strategies to bridge the gap:

💰 1. Negotiate a Higher Salary

Moving from the £23,040–£25,599 band to £25,600+ earns you an extra 10 tradeable points. Even a small increase can make the difference between qualifying and not.

📜 2. Check the Shortage Occupation List

If your role is on the MAC shortage list, you instantly earn 20 tradeable points – the maximum available. Review the list above and confirm your SOC code with your employer.

🎓 3. Leverage a Relevant PhD

A STEM PhD relevant to your job gives you 20 points outright. A non‑STEM PhD gives you 10. If you hold a doctoral degree, make sure it's clearly linked to your job offer.

🗣️ 4. Secure Your English Language Proof

Mandatory 10 points are non‑negotiable. If you don't have a passport from a majority English‑speaking country, book an approved test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Trinity SELT) at B1 level or above immediately.

🏢 5. Ensure Your Sponsor Is Approved

Your employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. Double‑check their status before you apply – without it, you score 0.

📂 6. Verify Your Job Skill Level

Your role must be RQF Level 3 or above. Ask your employer for the SOC code and confirm it meets the threshold. If it doesn't, the role cannot be sponsored under this route.

Which English Language Tests Are Accepted?

The Home Office accepts a range of Secure English Language Tests (SELT) and other approved qualifications to prove your B1 (or higher) proficiency.

Test	Minimum Level Required	Notes
IELTS for UKVI (Academic / General Training)	B1 (4.0 in all skills)	Most widely accepted; ensure you book the UKVI version
TOEFL iBT	B1 (equivalent)	Accepted when taken at an authorised test centre
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI	B1 (43 in all skills)	Fast results and widely available
Trinity College London SELT	B1 (Graded Examinations in Spoken English)	Integrated skills test accepted by UKVI
Degree taught in English (majority English‑speaking country)	N/A	Must be verified by ECCTIS – earns 10 mandatory points
Nationality from majority English‑speaking country	N/A	Automatic 10 mandatory points (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes and no. You only need exactly 70 points to qualify. Having more than 70 does not give you any additional advantage – the requirement is a fixed threshold. However, earning extra points through tradeable characteristics can compensate for a lower salary, making it easier to reach the 70‑point target.

You need a total of 70 points. The Skilled Worker visa is a points‑based system. You automatically get 50 points by meeting the mandatory criteria (approved sponsor, RQF 3+ job, and English language). The remaining 20 points come from tradeable factors such as salary, shortage occupation status, or a relevant PhD.

To reach 70 points, you must first secure all 50 mandatory points: a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor, a role at RQF Level 3 or above, and proven English proficiency at B1 or higher. Then, you need 20 tradeable points – these can come from a salary of £25,600+ (20 points), a role on the Shortage Occupation List (20 points), a STEM PhD (20 points), a relevant non‑STEM PhD (10 points) combined with a mid‑range salary (10 points), or other valid combinations.

Points are calculated by adding your mandatory scores (sponsor = 20, skill level = 20, English = 10) to your tradeable scores (salary, shortage occupation, and PhD). The Home Office uses the highest applicable salary band and adds any tradeable bonuses you qualify for. The total must reach exactly 70. Our calculator automates this process – just select your options and see your score instantly.

The Tier 2 (General) visa was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa on 1 December 2020. Under the new system, you still need 70 points, but the rules are now more flexible – especially regarding salary thresholds and the ability to trade points through PhDs and shortage occupations. The minimum salary requirement is now £20,480 (or lower in some cases) if you compensate with other tradeable points.

How Can TMS The Migration School Help You?

TMS The Migration School is your trusted partner for UK immigration. Our thorough process and end‑to‑end support ensure you take the right action at every step. We help you with:

Free eligibility check through our UK Skilled Worker Points Calculator
Expert guidance for UK Skilled Worker Visa & Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) process
Occupation code (SOC) verification and shortage occupation list review
IELTS & English proficiency coaching for B1 and above
Document preparation & visa application assistance
Salary negotiation and job offer strategy
Free career counselling – book your slot today
Complete guidance for UK work visa, sponsor licences, and settlement pathways
Resume marketing services to find eligible roles in the UK

* Disclaimer:

Quick eligibility check of TMS The Migration School is only to help the applicants to understand their scores. The points displayed are based on your answers only. Please note the points on each section are evaluated based on various parameters set in the immigration guidelines and a technical evaluation is a must to know your accurate scores and eligibility to find out which immigration program you can apply for. The Quick eligibility check does not guarantee you the below points; you may score high or low points once you are technically evaluated by our expert team. There are many assessing bodies that process skills assessment which will depend on your nominated occupation, and these assessing bodies will have their own criteria for considering an applicant as skilled. State/territory authorities will also have their own criteria to allow sponsorships which an applicant should satisfy. So, it is very important for an applicant to go apply for a technical evaluation.