Need advice - Skilled worker visa issue
Hi everyone,
I would really appreciate some honest opinions regarding my Skilled Worker visa situation in the UK, especially from people who have navigated similar career vs immigration decisions.
I currently work as a Procurement Manager in the UK public sector on a Skilled Worker visa under the new entrant route. My visa with my current employer is valid until November 2027.
My current salary is around £50k, and I also earn around £10k annually through additional teaching/lecturing work. I genuinely enjoy my current role — I have a very good reputation internally, strong relationships with senior leadership, and I am respected and valued by the organisation. The work environment is stable and supportive.
However, the issue is future immigration/salary thresholds. Procurement roles in the public sector often do not pay above £55k unless you are at senior leadership level. Once my new entrant route expires, I am concerned that I may struggle to find another sponsored procurement role meeting the required salary threshold.
I now have a likely offer from another public infrastructure organisation:
- Salary approx. £55.5k
- Better aligned with future visa thresholds
- Stable organisation
But moving would involve:
- Visa transfer costs + IHS fees
- Relocating to a more expensive area
- Higher rent/cost of living
- Leaving a workplace where I am genuinely valued
- Major life disruption because my wife is pregnant and we are expecting our baby in August
If I stay in my current role:
Pros:
- Stability
- Lower cost of living
- Existing support network
- Good work-life balance
- Additional lecturer income
- Strong internal support and career advocacy
- No immediate disruption during childbirth period
Cons:
- Salary may not meet future Skilled Worker thresholds after new entrant route ends
- Risk of becoming too comfortable and later struggling to move
- Public sector procurement salaries seem capped compared to infrastructure/private sector
If I move:
Pros:
- Immediate salary above likely future thresholds
- Stronger long-term visa/security position
- Better aligned with future immigration requirements
- Potentially stronger long-term market positioning
Cons:
- Major relocation during an important family period
- Financial cost of moving and visa transfer
- Leaving a very positive work environment
- Uncertainty of new organisation/culture
If you were in my situation:
Would you prioritise long-term visa/security certainty now and move?
Or would you stay with the current employer until 2027 and continue building experience/network while hoping better opportunities emerge later?
I would really appreciate realistic and critical opinions, especially from others on Skilled Worker visas or in public sector careers.