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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6250 | Bed and breakfast and guest house owners and proprietors | 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 | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6311 | Police community support officers | 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) | £31,600 (£16.21 per hour) |
| 7115 | Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers | Vehicle parts advisers Vehicle sales executives | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7124 | Market and street traders and assistants | Market and street traders and assistants | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7125 | Visual merchandisers and related occupations | Fashion stylists Visual merchandisers and window dressers Visual merchandisers and related occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7129 | Sales related occupations not elsewhere classified | Demonstrators and product promoters Hire desk controllers Sales energy consultants Sales related occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7131 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale | Antique dealers Art dealers Car traders Newsagents Retail jewellers Wholesalers Wine merchants Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,700 (£17.28 per hour) | £27,200 (£13.95 per hour) |
| 7132 | Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale | Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7214 | Market research interviewers | Field and telephone interviewers Mystery shoppers Political canvassers Traffic enumerators | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7220 | Customer service supervisors | Customer service supervisors | Yes | £34,200 (£17.54 per hour) | £28,900 (£14.82 per hour) |
| 8113 | Chemical and related process operatives | Chemical and related process operatives | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,700 (£13.69 per hour) |
| 8115 | Metal making and treating process operatives | Galvanisers and platers Metal sprayers and powder coaters Metal making and treating process operatives not elsewhere classified | Yes | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives | Boiler operatives Compressor operatives Nuclear decommissioning operatives Energy plant operatives not elsewhere classified | Yes | £41,500 (£21.28 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 8134 | Water and sewerage plant operatives | Water and sewerage distribution operatives Water treatment operatives Water and sewerage plant operatives not elsewhere classified | Yes | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 8143 | Routine inspectors and testers | Routine inspectors and testers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,600 (£13.64 per hour) |
| 8215 | Driving instructors | Cycling instructors Forklift instructors Heavy and large vehicle driving instructors Motorcycle instructors Passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) and car driving instructors Driving instructors not elsewhere classified | Yes | £39,500 (£20.26 per hour) | £33,300 (£17.08 per hour) |
| 8232 | Marine and waterways transport operatives | Marine and waterways transport operatives | Yes | £38,300 (£19.64 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified | Vent chick sexer Deckhand on large fishing vessel (9 metres and above) | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 9249 | Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified | Retail order pickers Trolley collectors Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,500 (£14.10 per hour) |
| 9252 | Warehouse operatives | Warehouse operatives | 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.