Reduce salary threshold of 38,700 for visa sponsorship requirements

We call on the Government to review and reduce the £38,700 minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa sponsorship, as this figure is significantly above typical UK salaries and creates unnecessary barriers for both businesses and skilled migrants.

Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk

Signatures

428

signatures

Government response threshold (10,000) · 428/10,000

Debate threshold (100,000) · 428/100,000

Background

The current threshold:
- Far exceeds the UK median salary (approximately £30,000)
- Creates an artificial barrier for skilled workers in many legitimate professions
- Disproportionately affects small businesses and regions outside London
- May force current visa holders to leave the UK despite being valued employees
- Risks splitting families where the main visa holder cannot meet the new threshold.

This review is crucial for supporting business growth and family unity.