2026 UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligible Occupations & SOC Codes List
Explore the complete list of eligible occupations, SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) codes, standard going rates, and lower going rates for the UK Skilled Worker visa. Check if your job title qualifies for UK visa sponsorship and meets the Home Office salary thresholds.
Found your SOC code? Check if you have enough points with our Visa Points Calculator, or search active employers in your industry in our Sponsor List.
| Code | Job Type | Related Job Titles | Eligible | Standard Going Rate | Lower Going Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5413 | Tailors and dressmakers | Costume makers Dressmakers Fitters and alterations assistants Kilt makers Milliners (excludes wholesale, retail trade) Tailors Tailors and dressmakers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5419 | Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified | Embroiderers and sewers Knitters Sail makers Weavers (excludes basket, wig and wire goods mfr) Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5421 | Pre-press technicians | Pre-press technicians | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5422 | Printers | Digital printers Flexographic printers Lithographic printers Screen printers Printers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
| 5423 | Print finishing and binding workers | Print finishing and binding workers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5431 | Butchers | Butchers Slaughterers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5432 | Bakers and flour confectioners | Bakers (excludes food process bakery workers and textile manufacturing) Cake decorators and designers Bakers and flour confectioners not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5433 | Fishmongers and poultry dressers | Fishmongers Poultry dressers Fishmongers and poultry dressers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5434 | Chefs | Chefs | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5436 | Catering and bar managers | Catering and bar managers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5441 | Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers | Ceramic makers, decorators and finishers Ceramic potters Glass blowers Glass makers, decorators and finishers Optical glass makers Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 5442 | Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers | Cabinet makers (excludes metal) Furniture makers and fitters Furniture restorers Furniture sprayers and finishers Picture framers Shed makers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5443 | Florists | Florists | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5449 | Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified | Basket makers (excludes wire goods mfr) Candle makers Goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers and precious stone workers Hairpiece and wig makers Metal engravers Craft model makers Musical instrument repairers, makers and tuners Sign makers and writers Toy makers and repairers Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 6111 | Early education and childcare assistants | Early education and childcare assistants | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6114 | Childminders | Childminders | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6116 | Nannies and au pairs | Au pairs Nannies | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6117 | Playworkers | Playworkers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | Animal boarding assistants Animal breeders Animal groomers Animal trainers (excludes performing animals) Animal walkers Animal welfare workers Stable workers Veterinary assistants Zookeepers Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6134 | Houseparents and residential wardens | Foster carers Residential childcare practitioners School matrons and houseparents Residential housing wardens Houseparents and residential wardens not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers | Community support workers Home care workers Residential care workers Care workers and home carers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers | Senior community support workers Senior home care workers Senior residential care workers Senior care workers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6213 | Air travel assistants | Flight attendants Passenger services assistants Air travel assistants not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6214 | Rail travel assistants | Railway station assistants Revenue protection officers Train conductors and guards Rail travel assistants not elsewhere classified | Yes | £41,300 (£21.18 per hour) | £35,400 (£18.15 per hour) |
| 6232 | Caretakers | Playworkers | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
What Is the Going Rate for a Skilled Worker Visa?
Every eligible occupation has a going rate: the minimum salary the Home Office accepts for that job. Your salary must be at least the going rate for your SOC code or the general threshold of £41,700 a year, whichever is higher.
- Programmers and software development professionals (2134): going rate £54,700, so the minimum salary is £54,700 (the going rate is higher).
- Data analysts (3544): going rate £34,900, so the minimum salary is £41,700 (the general threshold is higher).
The lower going rate column applies to applicants who qualify for a reduced rate, such as new entrants (for example, people under 26 or switching from a Student or Graduate visa). The rules on who qualifies are detailed, so check the Home Office salary rules on GOV.UK before relying on it.
To see whether a job offer meets the salary rule and the other requirements, use the Skilled Worker visa points calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SOC code?
A SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is a 4-digit number used by the UK government to classify jobs and professions. It's essential for skilled worker visa applications and for determining salary thresholds and eligibility.
What is the SOC code for the Skilled Worker visa?
Each eligible occupation for the Skilled Worker visa is assigned a specific SOC code by the UK Home Office. Use the table above to find your SOC code and then check our tier 2 sponsor list to find licensed employers.
How do I find my SOC code in the UK?
To find your SOC code, search your job title in the table above or refer to the UK Home Office's official occupation list. Once you've found your code, use our visa points calculator to check your eligibility.
What is an occupation code or job code?
An occupation code or job code is another name for a SOC code. They all refer to the same system used by the UK government to categorize job roles for employment and immigration purposes. After identifying your code, you can also estimate your visa costs.