Appendix Skilled Occupations explained

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, and are eligible for the Skilled Worker route. This table relates to points options A-E set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Going rates in Table 1 are per year and based on a 37.5-hour working week. They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor. Options A to E refer to the points options set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

The going rates and associated reductions which apply are whichever is the higher of: • the rate shown by the median ASHE data for that occupation; or • £17.13 per hour

For the avoidance of doubt, where £17.13 per hour calculates as more than 70%, 80% or 90% of the stated going rate, £17.13 will nevertheless be taken to be 70%, 80% or 90% of the going rate, as applicable.

Only the going rate column applies to Skilled Worker settlement applications; the columns setting out 70%, 80% and 90% of the going rate do not apply.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3-5, other than “6135 Care workers and home carers”, which is considered to be skilled to RQF level 2. This table relates to points options A-E set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Except where option D or the Temporary Shortage List in SW 6.1A applies, sponsors may ONLYsponsor Skilled Worker applicants in these SOC2020 occupation codes if the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 22 July 2025, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then.

Other than skill level, the notes accompanying Table 1 also apply to this table.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, and are eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes. This table relates to points options F-J set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Going rates in Table 2 are per year and based on a 37.5-hour working week. They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor. Options F to J refer to the points options set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

The going rates and associated reductions which apply are whichever is the higher of: • the rate shown by the 25th percentile ASHE data for that occupation; or • £12.82 per hour

For the avoidance of doubt, where £12.82 per hour calculates as more than 70%, 80% or 90% of the stated going rate, £12.82 will nevertheless be taken to be 70%, 80% or 90% of the going rate, as applicable.

Only the going rate column applies to Skilled Worker settlement applications; the columns setting out 70%, 80% and 90% of the going rate do not apply.

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation codes are included where they were previously eligible for the Skilled Worker route, for ease of matching to the relevant SOC 2020 occupation codes for applicants being sponsored to continue working in the same occupation.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3-5, other than “6135 Care workers and home carers”, which is considered to be skilled to RQF level 2. This table relates to points options F-J set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Except where option I or the Temporary Shortage List in SW 6.1A applies, sponsors may ONLYsponsor Skilled Worker applicants in these SOC2020 occupation codes if the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 22 July 2025, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are not eligible for the Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes.

Other than skill level, the notes accompanying Table 2 also apply to this table.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes were previously considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3-5, but have been reassessed as being below RQF level 3. This table relates to points options F-J set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Sponsors may ONLYsponsor Skilled Worker applicants in these SOC2020 occupation codes if the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, has had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then, and is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are not eligible for the Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes.

Other than skill level, the notes accompanying Table 2 also apply to this table.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes were previously considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, but have been reassessed as being below RQF level 6.

Sponsors may ONLYsponsor Global Business Mobility applicants in these SOC 2020 occupation codes if the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a lead applicant on a Global Business Mobility route under the Rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a lead applicant on the Global Business Mobility route since then.

Other than skill level, the notes accompanying Table 2 also apply to this table, except that equivalent SOC 2010 occupation codes are only included where they were previously eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, and are eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes, other than roles below Agenda for Change band 5, which are ineligible for the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes, and are only eligible for the Skilled Worker route if the conditions specified in Table 4 are met.

SOC 2020 occupation codes in Table 3 are eligible for points option K set out in Appendix Skilled Worker. They are also eligible for the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes.

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation codes are included where they were previously eligible for the Skilled Worker route, for ease of matching to the relevant SOC 2020 occupation codes for applicants being sponsored to continue working in the same occupation.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3-5.

Except for “6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants”, sponsors may ONLY sponsor Skilled Worker applicants in these SOC2020 occupation codes if the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 22 July 2025, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then. In these circumstances, they are eligible under points option K in Appendix Skilled Worker.

These SOC 2020 occupation codes are not eligible for the Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes.

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation codes are included where they were previously eligible for the Skilled Worker route, for ease of matching to the relevant SOC 2020 occupation codes for applicants being sponsored to continue working in the same occupation.

Going rates in Table 4 are per year and based on a 37.5-hour week (in Scotland, a 37-hour week). They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor. Band 1 and band 2 jobs are not eligible to be sponsored.

Except for “6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants”, sponsors may ONLY sponsor Skilled Worker applicants in band 3 and band 4 jobs if the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 22 July 2025, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then.

Band 1 to band 4 jobs are not eligible for the Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes.

Going rates in Table 5 are per year and based on the definition of a full-time teacher used when determining these pay scales. They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor.

These occupations are ineligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes because: • they do not meet the required skill level; or • applicants must be sponsored in another route for jobs in these occupations; or • those subject to immigration control cannot apply for jobs in these occupations.

SOC 2020 occupation codes in Tables 1a, 2aa, 2a, 2b and 3a are also not eligible for these routes, except where otherwise indicated.