Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a manager or proprietor in forestry, fishing or related services?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or proprietor in forestry, fishing or related services (SOC 1212) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list’s end date.
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
- a salary of at least £33,400 a year
- 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
Check the date. This job comes off the Immigration Salary List on 31 December 2026.
How much it costs
| Visa fee | £628 for up to 3 years £1,235 for more than 3 years |
|---|---|
| Healthcare surcharge | usually £1,035 a year |
| Savings to show (if needed) | £1,270 |
For example, a 3-year visa from outside the UK costs £628 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,733 in total. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. The lower fee applies because the job is on the Immigration Salary List. Full fees.
How long it takes
- You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
- It's usually 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
- Your visa can last up to 5 years. You can extend it.
- After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle in the UK.
How to apply
- Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (1212).
- Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
- Prove your English and get your documents ready (documents list).
- Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. You'll pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
- Prove your identity, using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
Things to check
- Do make sure the job description matches the work you'll actually do. The occupation code must fit the job.
- Do check your employer is on the licensed sponsor list.
- Don't apply before you have a certificate of sponsorship. You need a confirmed job offer first.
- Don't count overtime, bonuses or allowances. Only guaranteed basic pay counts towards the salary.
- Don't change job or employer without updating your visa.
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 1212 (Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. 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 proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | Yes, until 31 December 2026Only “fishing boat masters”. (Scotland) |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 1213, 5223 |
| SOC 2020 group | 12 Other managers and proprietors › 121 Managers and proprietors in agriculture related services |
Going rates for 1212 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. | £33,400 £17.13/hr | n/a | n/a | £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. | £25,800 £13.23/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 1212
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 | £33,400 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | Not applicable | – |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List | £33,400 | £33,400 (100%) | £33,400 |
| 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 | £25,800 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | Not applicable | – |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List | £25,000 | £25,800 (100%) | £25,800 |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £25,000 | £25,000 (70%) | £25,000 |
Rule changes that named 1212
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 1212
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Cattery and kennel managers and proprietors
- Fisheries managers and proprietors
- Forestry managers
- Livery yard and stud farm managers and proprietors
- Racehorse trainers
- Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Cattery owner
- Fish farm owner
- Forest manager
- Owner (landscape gardening)
- Racehorse trainer
What the job involves
Managers and proprietors in this unit group plan, organise and co-ordinate the activities and resources of forestry, fishing, animal husbandry and related operations and establishments.
Typical tasks
- Determines financial, staffing and other short- and long-term needs
- Manages and trains staff
- Decides, or advises on, type of animal to be bred and/or trained, and selects, buys and trains animals accordingly
- Plans and directs the establishment and maintenance of forest /woodland areas and regularly inspects forest work
- Liaises with neighbouring landowners, contractors and local authorities
- Oversees facilities such as visitor centres, nature trails, footpaths, etc
- Selects suitable breeding grounds for shellfish, sea and freshwater fish and purchases stock
- Arranges rearing and feeding and ensures health of fish stocks
- Oversees maintenance of equipment and fish habitats
- Plans fishing voyages, maintains vessel/s and equipment and oversees operational safety
- Arranges for sale of catch, liaises with onshore agents
- Ensures observance of maritime laws and international fishing regulations
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Whilst no formal qualifications are required for proprietors in this area, forestry managers usually require a degree or equivalent qualification in forestry and prior relevant work experience. BTEC qualifications in fish farm management are available. Skippers of offshore fishing vessels require prior work experience and must undertake basic safety training by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Apprenticeships are available in some areas. Minimum age limits may apply in some areas of employment.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 1212
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a manager or proprietor in forestry, fishing or related services?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or proprietor in forestry, fishing or related services (SOC 1212) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 1212 (Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. 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 1212?
1212 is the SOC 2020 code for Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services. Managers and proprietors in this unit group plan, organise and co-ordinate the activities and resources of forestry, fishing, animal husbandry and related operations and establishments.
What is the going rate for SOC code 1212?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 1212, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
Is 1212 on the Immigration Salary List?
Yes. Only “fishing boat masters”. in Scotland. The list states a removal date of 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 1212?
GOV.UK lists: Cattery and kennel managers and proprietors, Fisheries managers and proprietors, Forestry managers, Livery yard and stud farm managers and proprietors, Racehorse trainers, Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services not elsewhere classified.
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 Immigration Salary List (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.