UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligible Occupations 2026: Full List

✓ SOC codes and going rates verified April 2026 · Immigration Salary List current as of April 2026 · All figures from gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations · Last reviewed April 2026 · Going rates updated annually — verify before any CoS is issued · Not legal advice

⚠ Important Disclaimer This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Going rates are updated annually in April based on ONS ASHE salary data — the figures in this guide are verified as of April 2026 but will change. Always verify the exact current going rate for your specific SOC code at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations on the day your employer plans to issue the Certificate of Sponsorship — not when you first researched the role. Issuing a CoS at a salary below the current going rate is a sponsor licence compliance failure.

📋 In This Guide

How occupation eligibility works — the two salary tests explained
The four-component eligibility system
Understanding SOC codes — how to find yours
Salary thresholds and going rates — the two tests in detail
The Immigration Salary List — occupations with reduced thresholds
Highest-demand eligible occupations — 2026 going rates by sector
The Health and Care Worker visa — a sub-category of Skilled Worker
Common occupation-related refusal reasons and how to avoid them
How employers assign SOC codes and issue Certificates of Sponsorship
Frequently asked questions

How Occupation Eligibility Works — The Two Salary Tests Explained

The UK Skilled Worker visa is not available for every job — to qualify, your occupation must appear on the official eligible occupations list published by the Home Office and your employer must offer a salary that meets both the general threshold (£38,700 per year) AND the going rate for your specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code — whichever is higher.

Three things catch applicants out. The SOC code determines everything — it is not chosen by preference; it must accurately reflect the duties you perform, and a mismatch is treated as misrepresentation. There are two salary tests, not one — most guides explain the £38,700 general threshold but omit the going rate; an applicant earning £38,700 in a role with a going rate of £42,000 is ineligible. And occupations on the Immigration Salary List have a reduced going rate of 70% of the standard rate — knowing whether your occupation qualifies for this discount is strategically important.

📌 UK Skilled Worker Visa Occupation Eligibility — Quick Answer 2026

Two salary tests — both must be passed: (1) General threshold: £38,700 per year minimum; (2) Going rate: the occupation-specific floor for your SOC code — whichever is higher must be met
SOC code: Your occupation must appear on the eligible occupations list at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations
Immigration Salary List: Occupations on this list have a reduced going rate of 70% of standard
How to check: Search your job title at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations to find your SOC code and going rate

Source: gov.uk

This guide covers how SOC codes work, the two-test salary system, going rates by occupation, the Immigration Salary List, the most in-demand eligible occupations in 2026, and the most common occupation-related refusal reasons. All SOC codes, salary thresholds, and going rates are verified from gov.uk — last reviewed April 2026.

The Four-Component Eligibility System

Every Skilled Worker visa occupation application must satisfy four components simultaneously. Missing any single component results in refusal regardless of the others.

Component 1 — The occupation must appear on the eligible list: The Home Office maintains the list at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations — if your specific SOC code does not appear, the Skilled Worker visa is not available for your role regardless of salary or qualifications. The list is updated periodically — always verify on the day the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued.
Component 2 — The SOC code must accurately reflect your duties: SOC codes are assigned based on actual duties performed — not the job title used by your employer. UKVI compares duties stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship against the SOC code description in ONS occupational coding guidelines; a mismatch is treated as misrepresentation.
Component 3 — The general salary threshold must be met: £38,700 gross per year — the minimum for all Skilled Worker applications subject to applicable discounts. Guaranteed basic salary only — bonuses, overtime, tips, and London weighting do not count.
Component 4 — The going rate for the SOC code must be met: Every eligible SOC code has a specific going rate set by the Home Office. Your salary must meet or exceed this rate — it is the higher test for most professional occupations. An applicant earning £39,000 in a role with a going rate of £42,000 does not qualify.

Understanding SOC Codes — How to Find Yours

SOC stands for Standard Occupational Classification — a system developed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that classifies all jobs in the UK economy into a hierarchical structure. Every eligible occupation on the Skilled Worker visa list has a unique 4-digit SOC code. The SOC code determines: whether your occupation is on the eligible list, what the going rate is for your role, whether your role is on the Immigration Salary List, and which salary discounts may apply.

How to find your SOC code — step by step

Go to gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations

This is the authoritative Home Office list. Do not rely on third-party guides or previous versions of the list — always use the official current page.

Search your job title using Ctrl+F (page search)

Be aware that the ONS job title may differ from your actual job title. Try multiple search terms — your employer may use a different title for the same role.

Read the occupation description alongside the code

Your actual duties must match the description — not just the job title. If you are uncertain, search the full ONS Occupational Information Unit at ons.gov.uk for complete occupation descriptions including example job titles and typical duties.

⚠ SOC 2020 vs SOC 2010 — Verify You Are Using the Current Codes The current eligible occupations list uses SOC 2020 codes — introduced in 2020 to replace the older SOC 2010 codes. Many guides and forums still quote SOC 2010 codes. If you see a 4-digit code that does not appear in the current gov.uk list, it is likely an outdated SOC 2010 code. Always verify using the current gov.uk list. Some codes changed significantly between SOC 2010 and SOC 2020 — the going rate attached to the old code does not apply to the new one.

Salary Thresholds and Going Rates — The Two Tests in Detail

Test	Amount	What it means
General threshold	£38,700 per year	The minimum for all Skilled Worker applications — applies to every occupation regardless of going rate
Going rate	Varies by SOC code	The occupation-specific salary floor — must be met in addition to the general threshold
Which applies	Whichever is higher	If the going rate exceeds £38,700, the going rate is the binding minimum; if the going rate is below £38,700, the general threshold is the binding minimum

The going rate for each SOC code is based on the 25th percentile of salaries for that occupation in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) published by the ONS. It is updated annually — the 2026 going rates reflect the most recent ASHE data.

Salary discounts — when lower salaries are permitted

Discount category	Reduced threshold	Conditions
Immigration Salary List (ISL) occupation	70% of standard going rate	Occupation must appear on the current ISL at gov.uk/guidance/immigration-salary-list
New entrant to the labour market	70% of standard going rate	Under 26, recent graduate within 3 years of UK study, or in first 3 years of career post-study
PhD relevant to the role	90% of standard going rate	Applicant holds a doctorate directly relevant to the role
STEM PhD in an ISL occupation	70% of standard going rate	STEM doctorate plus ISL occupation — the lowest possible threshold

What counts — and does not count — as salary

Counts toward the salary threshold	Does NOT count
Guaranteed basic annual salary	Bonuses — discretionary or guaranteed
Guaranteed allowances explicitly stated in the employment contract	Tips or gratuities
	Overtime
	Commission
	London weighting or location allowances
	Non-cash benefits (company car, health insurance)
	Salary sacrifice elements (pension contributions above employer minimum)

The Immigration Salary List — Occupations With Reduced Thresholds

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) was introduced in April 2024, replacing the previous Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The ISL still identifies occupations in shortage but the discount mechanism changed — instead of a 20% salary reduction, ISL occupations now qualify at 70% of the standard going rate. The ISL is reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee and can be updated at any time — always verify the current list at gov.uk/guidance/immigration-salary-list before applying.

⚠ The ISL Discount and the General Threshold — How They Interact Many ISL occupations have going rates below £38,700. The going rate discount applies — but the £38,700 general threshold still acts as a floor. A nurse with a going rate of £29,970 qualifies at 70% of £29,970 = £20,979 under ISL — but the £38,700 general threshold means the effective minimum salary is still £38,700. The ISL discount is most significant for occupations whose standard going rate exceeds £38,700 — reducing that higher rate below the general threshold is where the real saving occurs.

Occupation	SOC code	Standard going rate	ISL rate (70%)	Effective minimum
Registered Nurse (Adult)	2231	£29,970	£20,979	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)	2232	£29,970	£20,979	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Registered Midwife	2236	£32,934	£23,054	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Secondary Education Teacher	2314	£31,350	£21,945	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Social Worker	2442	£34,113	£23,879	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Civil Engineer	2121	£38,700	£27,090	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Electrical Engineer	2122	£41,236	£28,865	£38,700 (general threshold applies)
Construction Project Manager	1121	£46,386	£32,470	£38,700 (general threshold applies)

Highest-Demand Eligible Occupations — 2026 Going Rates by Sector

🚨 Going Rates Are Updated Every April — Always Verify Before Any CoS Is Issued The going rates below are verified from gov.uk in April 2026. Going rates change every year when the Home Office publishes updated ASHE salary data. Always verify the exact current going rate for your specific SOC code at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations on the day your employer issues the Certificate of Sponsorship — an employer using last year's figures may issue a non-compliant CoS.

Healthcare occupations

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL	H&C Worker visa
Registered Nurse (Adult)	2231	£29,970	Yes	Yes
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)	2232	£29,970	Yes	Yes
Registered Midwife	2236	£32,934	Yes	Yes
Medical Practitioner (GP)	2211	NHS pay scale	No	Yes
Hospital Doctor / Consultant	2212	NHS pay scale	No	Yes
Pharmacist	2213	£41,659	No	Yes
Physiotherapist	2221	£33,706	No	Yes
Radiographer	2229	£33,706	No	Yes
Paramedic	3213	£30,789	No	Yes
Senior Care Worker	6146	£20,960 (general threshold applies)	Yes	Yes (CQC-regulated only)

Technology occupations

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL
Software Developer	2136	£40,080	No
IT Business Analyst	2137	£38,700	No
Cybersecurity Specialist	2139	£42,400	No
Data Scientist	2425	£40,080	No
Database Administrator	3131	£38,700	No
IT Project Manager	1136	£44,200	No
Network Engineer	3132	£38,700	No

Engineering occupations

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL
Civil Engineer	2121	£38,700	Yes
Mechanical Engineer	2122	£38,700	No
Electrical Engineer	2123	£41,236	Yes
Chemical Engineer	2124	£44,200	No
Aerospace Engineer	2126	£42,900	No

Education occupations

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL
Secondary School Teacher	2314	£31,350	Yes
Primary School Teacher	2315	£29,853	Yes
Special Educational Needs Teacher	2316	£31,350	Yes
Further Education Teacher	2313	£38,700	No
University Lecturer	2311	£38,700	No

Finance and professional services

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL
Accountant (General)	2421	£38,700	No
Financial Analyst	2422	£42,100	No
Management Consultant	2423	£44,200	No
Solicitor	2411	£38,700	No
Architect	2431	£38,700	No

Skilled trades and hospitality

Occupation	SOC code	Going rate (2026)	ISL
Chef (skilled)	5434	£29,570	Yes
Electrician	5241	£34,580	No
Plumber	5312	£34,580	No
Construction Site Manager	5315	£38,700	No

The Health and Care Worker Visa — A Sub-Category of Skilled Worker

The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa available to doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and eligible adult social care workers employed by the NHS, NHS-funded services, or CQC-regulated adult social care providers. It has significant financial advantages over the standard Skilled Worker route — a reduced application fee (approximately £284 vs £827 for standard Skilled Worker up to 3 years) and complete exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, saving thousands of pounds per applicant.

Category	Examples	Employer requirement
Medical practitioners	Doctors (all specialities), GPs, consultants, dentists	NHS, NHS-funded provider, or private healthcare with NHS contract
Nursing and midwifery	Registered nurses (all fields), midwives, health visitors	NHS, NHS-funded provider, or CQC-regulated care
Allied health professionals	Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, paramedics, pharmacists	NHS or NHS-funded provider
Adult social care	Senior care workers (SOC 6146), care coordinators, registered care managers	CQC-regulated adult social care provider only
Psychology and social work	Clinical psychologists, social workers	NHS or NHS-funded provider

🚨 Care Workers (SOC 6145) Were Removed from Health and Care Worker Eligibility in April 2024 Standard care workers (SOC 6145) previously qualified for the Health and Care Worker visa — they were removed in April 2024 following concerns about exploitation. Only senior care workers (SOC 6146) and above remain eligible for the Health and Care Worker route. An employer sponsoring a SOC 6145 care worker on the Health and Care Worker route since April 2024 is in breach of their sponsor licence and risks revocation.

Common Occupation-Related Refusal Reasons — and How to Avoid Them

Refusal reason	How to avoid it
SOC code mismatch — duties on CoS do not match the stated code	The CoS must describe duties that clearly and specifically match the ONS description for the stated SOC code. Generic descriptions like "performs all duties associated with the role" are routinely flagged. Ensure the CoS duties description is specific, detailed, and directly aligned to the ONS occupation description for the code used.
Salary below the going rate for the stated SOC code	Verify the exact going rate for the specific SOC code at gov.uk before the CoS is issued. The going rate changes annually — an employer using last year's figures may issue a non-compliant CoS. A CoS issued at below the current going rate is a sponsor licence compliance failure.
Salary below £38,700 with no applicable discount	Confirm whether any discount applies — ISL occupation, new entrant status, or PhD. If none apply, the salary must be at least £38,700 in guaranteed basic pay. A salary of £37,000 with no applicable discount is ineligible regardless of the going rate.
Non-qualifying salary elements included in the stated figure	Only guaranteed basic salary counts. If the employer included bonuses, overtime, or London weighting in the CoS salary figure, the effective qualifying salary may fall below the threshold when these are stripped out. The CoS must state the guaranteed basic salary only.
Occupation not on the eligible list	Always verify the SOC code appears on the current eligible occupations list at gov.uk before the CoS is issued. Codes can be removed from the list during annual reviews — an occupation eligible last April may not be eligible now.
Care worker (SOC 6145) sponsored on Health and Care Worker route after April 2024	Only senior care workers (SOC 6146) and above qualify for the Health and Care Worker route since April 2024. SOC 6145 care workers must be sponsored on the standard Skilled Worker route at the full £38,700 general threshold.
TEER 4 or 5 occupation used — ineligible level	All Skilled Worker eligible occupations must be at TEER 3 or above in the SOC 2020 framework. TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations are not eligible regardless of salary offered. Verify the TEER level of your SOC code on the current list.

How Employers Assign SOC Codes and Issue Certificates of Sponsorship

The employer — not the applicant — assigns the SOC code when issuing the Certificate of Sponsorship through the UKVI Sponsor Management System. The employer must assign the SOC code that most accurately reflects the actual duties the employee will perform. They cannot choose a code to maximise or minimise the salary threshold. A licensed sponsor who consistently assigns incorrect SOC codes risks having their Sponsor Licence revoked — UKVI conducts compliance audits of sponsor CoS records.

Ask your employer to confirm the SOC code before the CoS is issued — this gives you time to verify it at gov.uk and confirm your salary meets both tests for that specific code
Cross-reference the SOC code description with your actual duties — if the description does not accurately match what you actually do, raise this with your employer before the CoS is issued; corrections are possible before submission but create delays
Verify the going rate for the stated SOC code before accepting a job offer — some employers issue offers at salaries that meet the £38,700 general threshold but not the going rate for the specific code; discovering this after the CoS is issued wastes the CoS allocation fee and delays the application

Frequently Asked Questions

Search your job title at gov.uk/guidance/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations — if your specific SOC code appears on the list, your occupation is eligible. You must also verify that your employer is willing to offer a salary that meets both the £38,700 general threshold and the going rate for your specific SOC code, whichever is higher. If your SOC code does not appear on the eligible list, the Skilled Worker visa is not available for your role regardless of your salary or qualifications.

The minimum salary is £38,700 gross per year — but this is only the general threshold. Your salary must also meet the going rate for your specific SOC code, which may be higher. A software developer (SOC 2136) has a going rate of £40,080 — the effective minimum for that role is £40,080, not £38,700. Always verify the going rate for your specific code at gov.uk before accepting any job offer.

In limited circumstances yes — if your occupation is on the Immigration Salary List, you are a new entrant to the labour market, or you hold a PhD relevant to your role. The ISL discount reduces the going rate to 70% of standard, but the £38,700 general threshold still acts as a minimum floor for most roles. If you believe a discount applies, verify the exact reduced threshold at gov.uk before your employer issues a CoS.

A SOC code mismatch — where the duties described on the CoS do not accurately match the ONS description for the stated code — is treated as misrepresentation. It results in visa refusal and can lead to sponsor licence compliance action against your employer. If you believe your employer has assigned the wrong SOC code, raise it with them immediately before the visa application is submitted. Corrections to the CoS are possible before the application is lodged.

Registered nurses (SOC 2231, 2232) are eligible and appear on the Immigration Salary List — qualifying for a reduced going rate and the Health and Care Worker sub-category. Senior care workers (SOC 6146) are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa when employed by a CQC-regulated provider. Standard care workers (SOC 6145) were removed from Health and Care Worker eligibility in April 2024 and are no longer eligible for that route at any salary level.

The eligible occupations list is reviewed annually by the Home Office in conjunction with the Migration Advisory Committee. Going rates are updated annually based on ONS ASHE data — typically each April. Occupations can be added to or removed from the list, and going rates can increase or decrease. Always verify the current list and going rates at gov.uk on the day your employer plans to issue the Certificate of Sponsorship — not when you first researched your eligibility.

The general salary threshold (£38,700) is the minimum salary for all Skilled Worker applications — it applies regardless of occupation. The going rate is an occupation-specific floor based on the 25th percentile of salaries for that occupation in the UK — it differs by SOC code. Both tests must be passed simultaneously: your salary must be at least £38,700 AND at least the going rate for your specific SOC code. Whichever figure is higher is the effective minimum for your role.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Three things to carry forward. Occupation eligibility is determined by your specific SOC code — not your job title; the same duties can have different codes with different going rates and your employer must use the one that accurately reflects what you actually do. Your salary must pass two tests simultaneously — the £38,700 general threshold AND the going rate for your SOC code; the going rate is the binding minimum for most professional occupations and is higher than £38,700 for many roles. And going rates are updated every April — always verify the current figure at gov.uk on the day the CoS is issued, not when you first researched the role.

The most effective action before accepting a UK job offer is to verify your SOC code and its going rate at gov.uk — a salary that looks sufficient based on the general threshold may fall below the going rate for your specific occupation. Discovering this after accepting an offer creates significant problems for both you and your employer.

🏛 Official Sources Used in This Guide

gov.uk — Eligible Occupations and Going Rates gov.uk — Immigration Salary List gov.uk — Skilled Worker Visa Main Page gov.uk — Health and Care Worker Visa gov.uk — Appendix Skilled Occupations gov.uk — Register of Licensed Sponsors ons.gov.uk — SOC 2020 Occupational Classifications gov.uk — Migration Advisory Committee