Statement of Changes HC 1691 (5 March 2026) and Paragraph SW 14.3B

I would be grateful for your advice on the following specific question regarding Skilled Worker visa situation.

I hold a 5-year Skilled Worker visa granted in January 2023

I do not need to extend my visa before ILR my visa runs until approximately 2028

I was originally sponsored under SOC 2010 code 2136 (Programmers and Software Development Professionals), now mapped to SOC 2020 code 2134

I was first sponsored before 4 April 2024, so I qualify for Transitional Provisions under Points Option F

My contracted hours are 37.5 per week

My current basic salary is £31,800 per year

The Table 2 lower going rate for SOC 2134 under my transitional provisions is £40,000 per year

My Specific Question:

The Statement of Changes HC 1691 (5 March 2026) inserted Paragraph SW 14.3B into Appendix Skilled Worker, effective 8 April 2026. This introduces a new pay-period salary compliance framework.

I would like to know:

1. Does SW 14.3B create an immediate ongoing obligation for my employer to pay me £40,000 per year right now, during my current visa period even though I do not need to make any new visa application until ILR in 2028?

2. Or does the £40,000 going rate requirement only need to be met at the point of my ILR application in 2028, with no obligation to increase salary during the current visa period?

3. If these rules do not apply to me during my current visa, how long before my ILR application must I meet the £40,000 threshold?

Additional Context:

The following official GOV.UK sources have been used to prepare this document and are available for independent verification:

- Appendix Skilled Occupations — Table 2 (Transitional Rates)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... ccupations

- Appendix Skilled Worker — Paragraph SW 14.3B (Pay Period Framework) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... led-worker

- Skilled Worker Caseworker Guidance (April 2026 Update) https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... r-guidance

- Sponsor Guidance Part 2 — Sponsor a Worker (v04/26) https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... r-a-worker

I would appreciate a clear, specific answer to each of the three questions above, ideally with reference to the relevant rules or guidance.

Thank you for your time.