J. who was on Graduate Visa having completed his Postgrad had secured a job offer from a UK-based employer under the Skilled Worker route. The employer, confident in the offer meeting all the necessary requirements, issued the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and J. submitted his application. However, what seemed like a straightforward process quickly turned into an unexpected setback.
The Challenge
Despite having all the required documents and meeting the eligibility criteria, J.’s skilled worker application was rejected. The reason? A salary miscalculation of just £0.78 per hour.
Here’s what went wrong:
- J.’s employer had offered him an annual salary of £45,000 for a 37.5-hour workweek, which equated to an hourly rate of £23.07.
- However, according to UKVI’s Skilled Occupation Appendix, the required hourly rate for J.’s specific job code was £23.85.
- Since the salary did not meet the threshold, J. lost 20 crucial tradeable points, leading to automatic rejection.
J. and his employer initially considered filing an Administrative Review (AR), believing that the decision was unfair. However, UKVI had not made a mistake - the rejection was technically correct. Filing an AR would have only wasted valuable time, especially since J.’s Graduate Visa had already expired, leaving him with limited options.
Our Approach
Understanding the urgency of the situation, we acted fast:
- Employer Guidance: We explained to the employer that the only solution was to issue a new CoS with the correct salary figure.
- Salary Adjustment: We reviewed all aspects of the employment contract, ensuring the salary was compliant with UKVI’s Skilled Occupation Codes to prevent any future rejections.
- Re-Submission with No Room for Error: A new CoS was assigned with a revised salary of £47,000, aligning with the correct hourly rate.
Outcome
This time, J.’s application was approved, securing his Skilled Worker status and allowing him to continue his career in the UK without disruption.
Key Takeaways for Skilled Worker Applicants
- Hourly rate matters – Meeting the annual salary isn’t enough; it must align with the SOC hourly rate for the job code.
- Small miscalculations lead to automatic rejection – Even a difference of a few pence can result in a refusal.
- UKVI verifies salary details – J.’s employer received multiple verification calls before the final rejection.
- Rejections waste time and money – J. was lucky that his employer was willing to issue a new CoS. Many applicants lose months correcting mistakes.
Planning Your Skilled Worker Application? Don’t Take Risks.
The process may seem simple, but small errors can cost you big time. If you're applying for a Skilled Worker application, it's crucial to get it right the first time.
