Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in retail or wholesale?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in retail or wholesale (SOC 1150). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break.
What you need
You must have:
- a job offer from a UK employer that's allowed to sponsor visas (check the sponsor list)
- a "certificate of sponsorship" from that employer: a reference number with details of your job
- English at level B2: you can usually prove it with an approved test or a degree taught in English (ways to prove it)
- £1,270 in savings, unless your employer covers your first month or you've been in the UK for 12 months or more
Based on the UK Immigration Rules and the Skilled Worker visa guide on GOV.UK. This is a summary, not advice about your own situation.
The rules in detail
SOC 2020 code 1150 (Managers and directors in retail and wholesale) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £36,400 a year (£18.67 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | Yes |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 1121, 1190, 3545 |
| SOC 2020 group | 11 Corporate managers and directors › 115 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale |
Going rates for 1150 in Appendix Skilled Occupations
A code can appear in more than one table. Each table applies to different applicants. Rates are per year for a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other hours.
| Table and who it applies to | Going rate | 90% | 80% | 70% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table 1aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List. | £36,400 £18.67/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr |
| Table 2aaFor applicants using options F–J who were granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 and have held it continuously, unless option I (Immigration Salary List) or the Temporary Shortage List applies. Not eligible for Global Business Mobility or Scale-up. | £29,400 £15.08/hr | £26,400 £13.54/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 1150
Under Appendix Skilled Worker, the salary must equal or exceed both the general threshold and the going-rate figure for the points option used. This table puts the two figures side by side for each option. It does not say which option applies to any person. See salary thresholds for the conditions on each option.
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standard | £41,700 | £36,400 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | £33,400 (90%) | £37,500 |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | £33,400 (80%) | £33,400 |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £33,400 | £33,400 (70%) | £33,400 |
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £29,400 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | £26,400 (90%) | £28,200 |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | £25,000 (80%) | £25,000 |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £25,000 | £25,000 (70%) | £25,000 |
Job titles under SOC 1150
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Car sales manager
- Manager (garden centre)
- Managing director (wholesale, retail trade)
- Retail manager
- Shop manager (charitable organisation)
- Wholesale manager
What the job involves
Retail and wholesale managers and directors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the operations of major retail and wholesale establishments in order to maximise business performance and meet financial goals.
Typical tasks
- Appoints staff, assigns tasks and monitors and reviews staff performance
- Liaises with other staff to provide information about merchandise, special promotions etc. to customers
- Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and that stock keeping is carried out efficiently
- Ensures customer complaints and queries regarding sales and service are appropriately handled
- Oversees the maintenance of financial and other records and controls security arrangements for the premises
- Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price, discount rates and credit terms
- Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry requirements vary from company to company. Entrants may possess GCSEs/S grades, A levels/H grades, GNVQs/GSVQs, a BTEC/SQA award, a degree or equivalent qualification. Entry is also possible through promotion after gaining sufficient experience. NVQs/SVQs in Retail Operations are available at level 4.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 1150
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in retail or wholesale?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in retail or wholesale (SOC 1150). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break. SOC 2020 code 1150 (Managers and directors in retail and wholesale) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
What is SOC code 1150?
1150 is the SOC 2020 code for Managers and directors in retail and wholesale. Retail and wholesale managers and directors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the operations of major retail and wholesale establishments in order to maximise business performance and meet financial goals.
What is the going rate for SOC code 1150?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £36,400 a year (£18.67 an hour) for 1150, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 1150?
GOV.UK lists: Managers and directors in retail and wholesale.
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes (GOV.UK, updated 29 April 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.