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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants | Claims handlers Insurance administrators Pensions administrators Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4134 | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,900 (£13.28 per hour) |
| 4141 | Office managers | Office managers | Yes | £37,400 (£19.18 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 4143 | Customer service managers | Call centre managers Customer service managers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £27,600 (£14.15 per hour) |
| 4151 | Sales administrators | Sales administrators | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4159 | Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | Business administrators Church administrators Facilities coordinators Proofreaders Property administrators Warranty administrators Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4214 | Company secretaries and administrators | Company secretaries and administrators | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 4215 | Personal assistants and other secretaries | Farm secretaries Personal assistants (excludes care workers) Personal assistants and other secretaries not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,400 (£14.05 per hour) |
| 5111 | Farmers | Agricultural contractors Aquaculture farmers Arable farmers Dairy farmers Livestock farmers Poultry farmers Farmers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) | £28,200 (£14.46 per hour) |
| 5112 | Horticultural trades | Horticultural trades | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5113 | Gardeners and landscape gardeners | Garden designers Gardeners (excludes horticultural/market gardening) Green roof installers Landscape gardeners Gardeners and landscape gardeners not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5114 | Groundsmen and greenkeepers | Groundsmen and greenkeepers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agricultural and fishing trades not elsewhere classified | Arborists Beekeepers Countryside and park officers and rangers Falconers Fish and river keepers Fishers Gamekeepers Agricultural and fishing trades not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5211 | Sheet metal workers | Metal fabricators and finishers Panel beaters (excludes vehicles) Whitesmiths Sheet metal workers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,800 (£13.74 per hour) |
| 5212 | Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations | Die casters Farriers Moulders, mould makers and core makers Smiths Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations not elsewhere classified | Yes | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £29,200 (£14.97 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades | Braziers and solderers Pipe welders Plate welders Welding trades not elsewhere classified | Yes | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | Pipe fitters | Yes | £46,000 (£23.59 per hour) | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) |
| 5221 | Metal machining setters and setter-operators | Computer numerical control (CNC) machine setters and setter-operators Metal machining setters and setter-operators not elsewhere classified | Yes | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 5222 | Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out | Tool fitters Tool makers Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out not elsewhere classified | Yes | £38,400 (£19.69 per hour) | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | Automation maintenance technicians Bicycle mechanics Catering equipment technicians Door fitters and makers Gunsmiths Heavy plant maintenance technicians Hydraulic technicians Lift technicians Locksmiths Pump technicians Textile machine technicians Turbine fitters Metal working production and maintenance fitters not elsewhere classified | Yes | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £29,900 (£15.33 per hour) |
| 5224 | Precision instrument makers and repairers | Calibration and precision instrument technicians Camera and photographic equipment technicians Horologists, watch makers and repairers Optical technicians Precision instrument makers and repairers not elsewhere classified | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,300 (£14.51 per hour) |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | Yes | £41,100 (£21.08 per hour) | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | Auto electricians Car/light vehicle technicians Heavy and large vehicle technicians Motorcycle technicians Motorsport technicians MOT testers Roadside assistance technicians Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians not elsewhere classified | Yes | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) | £27,900 (£14.31 per hour) |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | Vehicle body builders and repairers | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,600 (£14.15 per hour) |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians | Vehicle paint technicians | Yes | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 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.