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A guide to the UK Skilled Worker Visa for Environmental Scientists.
A nation that destroys it’s soils, destroys itself. – F D Roosevelt.
This article is intended for Environmental Scientists who may be considering relocating to the United Kingdom. As of the 20th June 2025, the employment websites https://www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs had 225 vacancies in the UK, whilst https://www.emploi-environnement.com/offres/?localisations=f_898 had 53 in Normandy.
The UK based Society for the Environment states: -
“ A shortage of applicants for key posts, especially at senior levels, is leading to mounting pressure impacting the health and wellbeing of staff as well is jeopardising the delivery of a Green Recovery. Nature recovery initiatives and development activity ranging from small-scale projects through to large-scale and critical infrastructure is at serious risk of delays due to a severe shortage of skilled and experienced ecologists”
This article seeks to describe the mechanics of the skilled worker visa application for this sector in the UK . Those who are biochemists should refer to the previous article : -
https://www.immigration-help.co.uk/blog/posts/calling-atlanta-and-biological-scientists-generally
Overview of the Scheme.
The British Government permits UK based employers to sponsor skilled workers to come to work in the United Kingdom. These employers must be on the approved register of sponsors, and the job must meet the criteria set out under the Immigration Rules.
From the applicant’s point of view, the first step contains two prerequisites:
• You should identify your skills against the approved list of job titles warranting sponsorship as set out in Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations . https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-occupations These include for example: -
2483 Environmental health professionals
2152 Environment professionals
• You should ascertain if the prospective employer has a Sponsor’s Licence, or is intending to so obtain. The register is found here: -
The employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, ( a reference number ) which you would then add to the visa application.
Details.
Once the general eligibility has been established and before any certificate of sponsorship is issued, the applicant must ensure that both the post and they themselves, meet the detailed requirements to the Rules. A visa application will only be granted if all the criteria are met.
There are two distinct salary thresholds that the prospective post must meet.
• The job meets the “ going rate” as defined by the relevant SOC Code. (Standard Occupational Classification as produced by the Office for National Statistics
The post must be paid at least the prescribed salary ( set out in tabular form in Appendix Skilled Occupations ). Each job may have a series of separate minimum payrates contingent on the applicant’s circumstances, or variations of policy within the United Kingdom.
• Minimum salary threshold across all posts.
There are separately a series of salary thresholds that are to ensure a minimum income irrespective of the going rate, and such levels are currently set at between £25,000 and £38700 per year depending on the applicant’s establishment. The Rules themselves change frequently.
Identifying which salary threshold applies to the applicant, and which going rate applies to the application is to be found in the table of options at SW4 of Appendix Skilled Worker.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-worker
This should be cross referred to the salary levels set out in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-occupations
When assessing the appropriate salary level for the post of Environmental Professional the applicant is confronted with four separate going rates depending on whether they benefit from the derogations set out in options A to F of Appendix Skilled Worker;-
£36,100 - (£18.51 per hour)
£32,490 - (£16.66 per hour)
£30,960 - (£15.88 per hour)
£30,960 - (£15.88 per hour)
The headline going rate for an Environmental professional ( SOC Code ( is £36,100 per annum. This falls below the standard de minimis requirement of £38,700, and so the job offer must exceed the latter threshold.
However there are nine derogations from the £38700 threshold permitting variations of lower basic salary and reduced going rates. They are found at options A to F of Appendix Skilled Worker.
For example where an individual has a Phd in the relevant sector , then the threshold salary is reduced to £34830. Also there is an incremental reduction so that the job offer need only be 90% of the going rate, being £32490 for an Environmental Professional SOC Code 2152. So an Environmental Profession with a Phd in the relevant filed would need to be sponsored for a job earning in excess of £34830. ( Option B ).
If the relevant Phd is in a STEM subject then the threshold salary is £25000 per year and the job offer need be 80% of the going rate , namely £30960. So the post must offer a de minimis salary of £30960. ( Option H )
You should seek legal advice where you are uncertain if the post meets the thresholds set out in the Immigration Rules.
About
Dominic Magne has worked in the field of Immigration Asylum and Nationality Law since 1992. He qualified as a barrister in 1997 and as a solicitor in 2001.
We believe that good, and thorough advice on your Immigration matters is the key to an appropriate and ultimately successful application to the UKVI. There is a flat rate charge of £180 for a consultation. Following the consultation a detailed advice letter is given, setting out the next steps.
To arrange a consultation, call +44(0)20 8399 3939 or email post@magne.co.uk
Law is as stated on the 23rd June 2025