The UK points-based immigration system has been running for five years. Introduced in 2021, it replaced EU free movement and created one framework for most work and study routes. By 2026 the system is no longer experimental. Three major tightening cycles have reshaped it:
- 2024 raised salary floors and skill levels
- 2025 White Paper reforms introduced the Temporary Shortage List and began phasing out the Immigration Salary List
- 2026 moved English to B2 level from January and stretched the standard settlement period to ten years from April
Transitional protections still exist for certain pre-2025 visa holders, but new applicants face a more demanding landscape. Readers today want to know what still works, what has become harder, which concessions survive, and what realistic long-term pathways remain.
This guide focuses on the four central elements that define the system in 2026:
- the 70-point threshold for most work routes
- the sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship as the absolute gatekeeper
- salary and going rates as the primary tradeable lever
- the settlement (indefinite leave to remain) timeline, now extended for many categories
The explanation covers the main routes that use points, highlights the biggest practical changes since 2025, and addresses the questions people ask most often in 2026.
The 70-Point Threshold Explained
Seventy points is the standard requirement for the Skilled Worker route and its sub-routes (Health and Care, Scale-up). Global Talent and High Potential Individual use different tests, while Graduate visas are unsponsored but feed into the points system when switching.
Points split into two buckets:
Mandatory points total 50. These are non-negotiable. Fail any one and the application ends.
Tradeable points provide the remaining 20. Salary usually delivers them, but concessions allow lower pay when specific conditions are met.
The Home Office assesses points against the Immigration Rules active on the decision date. Evidence must be clear, complete and consistent. Any gap triggers refusal.
Mandatory Points – The Non-Negotiable 50
Job offer from a licensed sponsor – 20 points The employer must hold an A-rated sponsor licence and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. The role must be genuine. The Home Office refuses when it suspects the position exists primarily to support a visa.
Skill level of the job – 20 points The occupation code must appear in Appendix Skilled Occupations at RQF Level 6 or above for most routes. Transitional medium-skilled codes (RQF 3–5) remain open only for extensions or very limited in-country switches under pre-2025 rules.
English language ability – 10 points B2 level (upper intermediate) is required across reading, writing, speaking and listening for new applications from 8 January 2026. UKVI IELTS needs at least 5.5 in each skill band. Exemptions cover certain nationalities and prior grants. Extensions for pre-2026 visas often keep the B1 standard.
Tradeable Points – Salary as the Main Lever
Salary normally secures the 20 tradeable points. The standard requirement is the higher of £41,700 per year or the occupation’s going rate (median earnings data). Lower salaries become possible through narrow concessions:
- Relevant STEM PhD – £33,400 and 80 % of going rate
- Relevant non-STEM PhD – £37,500 and 90 % of going rate
- Job on the Immigration Salary List – £33,400 and full going rate (phasing out completely by December 2026)
- New entrant status (under 26, recent graduate, Student/Graduate visa switch) – £33,400 and 70 % of going rate, maximum four years total
Health and Care Worker roles use separate tables with lower floors (£25,000 or £31,300 common) and no universal hourly minimum in many cases. Care worker overseas recruitment closed in 2025; transitional extensions continue until 2030.
The table below shows the main tradeable salary options in 2026.
| Concession | Minimum Salary | Going Rate Requirement | Key Restrictions / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £41,700 | 100 % | Applies to most Skilled Worker roles |
| STEM PhD | £33,400 | 80 % | PhD must be relevant to the job |
| Non-STEM PhD | £37,500 | 90 % | PhD must be relevant to the job |
| Immigration Salary List | £33,400 | 100 % | List ends December 2026 |
| New entrant | £33,400 | 70 % | Under 26 or recent graduate; 4-year cap |
Sponsor and CoS – The Gatekeeper
No points are awarded without a licensed sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. The sponsor licence is the entry ticket; the CoS is the specific permission for one worker in one role.
Sponsors must:
- hold an A-rated licence
- select an accurate SOC 2020 code
- confirm salary meets the threshold or concession
- pay the Immigration Skills Charge (where applicable)
- meet ongoing duties (record-keeping, reporting changes, genuine vacancy checks)
Defined CoS apply to overseas applicants; undefined CoS cover in-UK extensions and switches. Both expire after three months. Errors in the CoS (wrong code, mismatched salary, incorrect personal details) block the visa even when points otherwise reach 70.
In 2026 sponsors face increased scrutiny on genuineness. The Home Office refuses when it believes the role was created mainly to secure immigration permission.
Settlement Timeline – Now Stretched for Many
Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) no longer follows a simple five-year rule for most routes.
From April 2026 the standard qualifying period became ten years continuous residence for new entrants on Skilled Worker and similar routes. Global Talent retains three or five years depending on endorsement category. Certain Health and Care roles keep five years under transitional provisions.
To qualify for ILR applicants must:
- complete the required continuous residence
- pass the Life in the UK test
- meet English requirements (B2 for post-2026 grants)
- show ongoing compliance with visa conditions
- avoid excessive absences (180 days in any 12-month period)
Dependants on Skilled Worker visas can apply for ILR alongside the main applicant after the same residence period. Graduate visa time does not count toward settlement unless switched into a qualifying route.
Main Routes That Use the Points System
Skilled Worker visa The core sponsored route. Requires CoS, RQF 6+ role, £41,700 salary floor (with tradeable concessions). Leads to settlement after five or ten years depending on grant date.
Health and Care Worker visa Skilled Worker sub-route for NHS and adult social care. Lower fees, no health surcharge, reduced salary floors. Overseas care worker recruitment closed in 2025.
Scale-up Worker visa For fast-growing firms. Initial sponsorship required, then job-switching flexibility after six months. Settlement after five years.
Global Talent visa Endorsement-based for leaders in science, engineering, humanities, arts or digital technology. No CoS or salary requirement. Settlement after three or five years.
High Potential Individual visa For recent graduates from top global universities. No job offer needed. Two or three years stay, no extension, switch to Skilled Worker possible.
Graduate visa Post-study route. Two years (three for PhDs). Unsponsored, but points apply when switching into work routes.
Major Changes in 2025–2026
July 2025 Skill level rose to RQF 6 for most new Skilled Worker roles. General salary floor increased to £41,700. Immigration Salary List began phase-out.
January 2026 B2 English became mandatory for new Skilled Worker, Health and Care and Scale-up applicants.
April 2026 Standard settlement period extended to ten years for many routes. Global Talent and some health roles retain five years.
Transitional protections Pre-July 2025 visa holders keep lower salary floors until 2030 in certain cases. Care worker extensions continue under old rules until 2030.
FAQs
What is 70 points on the UK points-based system to be eligible? Seventy points is the standard requirement for Skilled Worker and related routes. It includes 50 mandatory points (sponsorship, skill level, English) and 20 tradeable points (mainly salary concessions).
Is ILR increasing to 10 years? Yes. From April 2026 the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain became ten years continuous residence for most new entrants. Global Talent and certain health roles keep five years.
How many points for PR in the UK? There is no separate points requirement for permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain). ILR depends on five or ten years continuous residence on a qualifying route, plus Life in the UK test, English ability and suitability checks.
Is the UK immigration system points-based? Yes. The points-based system governs most work and study routes since 2021. It replaced EU free movement (except for Irish citizens) and uses points to assess eligibility.
Which country has a points-based immigration system? Canada, Australia and New Zealand operate similar points-based models. The UK system shares core features but applies stricter salary floors and English rules in 2026.
Conclusion
The points-based system in 2026 rewards genuine skilled roles backed by licensed sponsors, competitive salaries and solid English ability. Transitional rules offer limited relief for pre-2025 visa holders, but new applicants face higher thresholds and longer waits for settlement.
Verify every detail against current Home Office guidance before applying. Rules evolve quickly and decisions rest on evidence submitted on the application date.
