Let’s cut through the confusion right at the start. If you’re searching for a “UK Express Entry Points Calculator,” you’re almost certainly thinking of Canada. The United Kingdom does not have an immigration system called “Express Entry.” That’s Canada’s famous points-based program.
But don’t close this tab just yet. Your search tells us something crucial: you’re looking for a clear, points-based way to understand your UK immigration chances. You want a roadmap, a score, a yes-or-no answer to the burning question: “Can I move to the UK?”
The good news is, while it’s not named “Express Entry,” the UK does have a primary points-based system. It’s called the Skilled Worker visa. And while there isn’t one official government “calculator” that gives you a shiny final score, you can absolutely calculate your own eligibility. Think of this as your guide to being your own calculator—to adding up your points and seeing if you cross the crucial threshold.
Understanding the “Points” in the UK System
The UK’s Skilled Worker visa is built on a simple principle: you need to score 70 points. These points come from non-negotiable “mandatory” criteria and from “tradeable” criteria where you can mix and match options.
Let’s break down how you’d calculate your score. Grab a notepad or open a spreadsheet.
The Non-Negotiables (50 Points)
These are the points everyone must have. If you miss these, you don’t qualify.
- A Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor (20 Points): This is the cornerstone. You must have a job offer from a UK employer that is on the official government list of approved sponsors. No offer, no visa. This is the biggest hurdle and the first thing to check.
- A Job at an Appropriate Skill Level (20 Points): The job you’re offered must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels). Most professional roles qualify. Your sponsor will know this.
- English Language Ability (10 Points): You must prove you can speak, read, write, and understand English to at least level B1 (intermediate). This is usually done through an approved English test or by having a degree taught in English.
If you have these three things, you have 50 points. You’re already more than halfway there. The remaining 20 points come from the following areas.
The Tradeable Points (You Need 20 More)
This is where you calculate your specific points based on your situation. You only need 20 from this section.
- Salary Points (The Most Common Way):
- £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher (20 Points): This is the new general salary threshold (as of April 2024). Your salary must meet this to earn these 20 points.
- £30,960 per year or the “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher (20 Points): This applies if you are under 26, a student, recent graduate, or in professional training. It also applies to jobs on the Immigration Salary List (replacing the Shortage Occupation List), which have a lower threshold.
- £23,200 per year (20 Points): This applies only if you have a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to your job. For those with a relevant PhD in a non-STEM subject, the threshold is £27,900.
- Other Points (Less Common):
- Education Points (10 Points): You can claim 10 points if you have a PhD in a subject relevant to your job. This can be combined with a lower salary to make up the 20 points. For example, a PhD holder in a relevant STEM field earning £23,200 would get 10 points for the PhD + 10 points for meeting that salary threshold = the needed 20 points.
- Shortage Occupation Points (20 Points): If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, you only need to meet the lower salary threshold of £30,960 (or the going rate) to get your 20 points. This list includes specific roles in healthcare, tech, and engineering.
Your Step-by-Step Calculation
Now, let’s play it out. How do you see if you qualify?
- Do I have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor? (If NO, you have 0 points. Stop here. Focus on job hunting).
- Is the job skilled to RQF Level 3 or above? (Your employer confirms this).
- Do I meet the English requirement? (Check if you need a test).
- CONGRATULATIONS. You have 50 points.
Now, for the final 20:
- What is the salary being offered?
- Is it £38,700 or more? If YES, add 20 points. You have 70. You qualify.
- Is it between £30,960 and £38,699? Check: Are you under 26/a student? Is the job on the Immigration Salary List? If YES to either, add 20 points. You have 70. You qualify.
- Is it between £23,200 and £30,959? Do you have a relevant PhD in a STEM subject? If YES, add 20 points. You have 70. You qualify.
If your salary is below these thresholds and you don’t fit the PhD or shortage categories, you do not yet have the required 70 points.
What About Health and Care Worker Visas?
This is a critical exception. If you are a qualified doctor, nurse, or allied health professional with a job offer from the NHS or an approved provider, you use the Health and Care Worker visa. It has a lower salary requirement (based on NHS pay scales) and exempts you from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The points principle is similar, but the salary thresholds are different.
The Reality Check: It’s Not Just Points
Passing the 70-point threshold is the technical requirement. The real-world hurdles are often:
- Finding a Licensed Sponsor: Companies must pay to be sponsors. Not all are.
- Winning the Job: You are competing with UK and global talent.
- The Cost: The visa process costs thousands of pounds in application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and possibly legal fees.
So, while there’s no single “UK Express Entry Calculator,” you now have the formula. Add up your points: Job Offer + Skilled Job + English (50 points) + Salary/PhD/Shortage Status (20 points).
If your total is 70, you have a pathway. Your next step isn’t an application form—it’s a targeted job search for sponsored roles in the UK. That’s where your real journey begins.
Conclusion
The process isn’t about finding a magic website, but about holding the formula yourself. You now know the equation: a solid job offer from a licensed sponsor, a skilled position, proven English skills, and a salary that meets one of the specific thresholds. Add those up, and if you hit seventy, you’ve passed the most important test on paper.
But remember, the calculator only tells you if you can play the game. It doesn’t win it for you. The real effort—the grueling, rewarding work—is in the job hunt. It’s in tailoring your CV for the UK market, networking across time zones, and convincing a sponsor that you’re worth their investment. The points are your ticket to the starting line, not the finish.
This clarity is your power. Instead of wondering if you qualify, you can now channel your energy into making sure you do. You can strategize: should you pursue a higher salary, a role on the Immigration Salary List, or further your education? You’re no longer guessing; you’re planning.
Frequent Ask Questions: UK Points Calculator & Skilled Worker Visa
Is there an official UK government points calculator?
No, there is no single, official “points calculator” tool like Canada’s Express Entry portal. The UK’s system is more binary: you either meet the specific, legislated requirements for the visa you want (like the Skilled Worker visa) or you don’t. This guide provides the “formula” you can use to self-assess your eligibility based on those published rules.
What are the 70 points made of for the Skilled Worker visa?
The 70 points are a mix of mandatory and tradeable criteria:
- 50 Mandatory Points: A job offer from a licensed sponsor (20pts), a job at the required skill level (20pts), and English language ability (10pts).
- 20 Tradeable Points: These come from meeting specific salary thresholds. You must earn at least £38,700, or £30,960 if your job is on the Immigration Salary List or you’re a new entrant, or a lower amount (£23,200-£27,900) if you have a relevant PhD.
Do I need a job offer before I can calculate my points?
Yes, absolutely. A job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor is the foundation of the Skilled Worker visa and worth 20 mandatory points. Without it, you cannot qualify. Your points calculation truly begins once you have a formal offer with a stated salary.
How do I know if my job is on the ‘Immigration Salary List’?
You must check the official UK government website for the Immigration Salary List (ISL). This list has replaced the Shortage Occupation List for most visas and details specific occupations and codes that benefit from a lower salary threshold (£30,960). Your employer will know the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for your role, which you can cross-reference.
What if my salary is below £38,700?
You may still qualify if you can claim points from a different salary bracket:
- If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, you need £30,960.
- If you are a new entrant (under 26, a student/recent graduate, in professional training), you need £30,960.
- If you have a relevant PhD, you need between £23,200 (STEM) and £27,900 (non-STEM).
If your salary doesn’t meet any of these thresholds, you will not accrue the required 20 tradeable points.
I have a PhD. How many points is it worth?
A PhD relevant to your job is worth 10 points. It allows you to meet the 20 tradeable points through a combination: the 10 points for the PhD plus 10 points for meeting the lower PhD salary threshold (£23,200 for STEM, £27,900 for others). You cannot use the PhD points alone; they must be combined with the correct salary.
What is the ‘going rate’ for my job?
Each eligible occupation has a standard annual salary based on UK market rates. Your offered salary must meet both the general threshold (£38,700, £30,960, etc.) and 100% of the ‘going rate’ for your specific job code, whichever is higher. Your sponsoring employer is responsible for ensuring the role meets the going rate.
Do I need to take an English test?
You must prove English proficiency at level B1. You can do this by:
- Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
- Having an academic degree that was taught in English (you may need to apply for confirmation via UK NARIC).
- Being a national of a majority-English speaking country (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand).
Is the Health and Care Worker Visa points-based?
Yes, but it operates under different salary rules. It is for qualified doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals with a job offer in the NHS or adult social care. It uses nationally agreed pay scales (like NHS Agenda for Change) to determine the salary requirement, which is often lower than the £38,700 general threshold, and exempts you from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
What’s the biggest misconception about the points?
The biggest misconception is that points are “earned” for various attributes like age, work experience, or having a master’s degree. This is incorrect for the UK Skilled Worker visa. Points are awarded only for the specific, legislated criteria listed above: the job offer, skill level, English, salary, and in some cases, a PhD. Your years of experience or age (unless you’re a new entrant) do not directly give you extra points.