Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a leisure or sports manager or proprietor?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a leisure or sports manager or proprietor (SOC 1224). 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 1224 (Leisure and sports managers and proprietors) 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 | Leisure and sports managers and proprietors |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £34,100 a year (£17.49 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 1225, 1253 |
| SOC 2020 group | 12 Other managers and proprietors › 122 Managers and proprietors in hospitality and leisure services |
Going rates for 1224 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. | £34,100 £17.49/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. | £26,600 £13.64/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 1224
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 | £34,100 (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 (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 | £26,600 (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 (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 1224
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Cinema managers and proprietors
- Golf course managers
- Gym, fitness and leisure services managers and proprietors
- Marina managers
- Museum managers and proprietors
- Parks and gardens managers
- Theatre managers (excludes hospital service)
- Leisure and sports managers and proprietors not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Amusement arcade owner
- Cinema manager
- Football ground manager
- Leisure centre manager
- Theatre manager
What the job involves
Leisure and sports managers organise and proprietors, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources required for the provision of sporting, artistic, theatrical and other recreational and amenity services.
Typical tasks
- Organises timetable of activities/schedule of programmes
- Ensures that facilities are kept clean and in good condition and that appropriate health and safety requirements are adhered to
- Keeps abreast of new trends and developments in recreational activities and arranges exhibitions, theatrical productions, concerts, demonstrations, etc
- Advises on the facilities available and promotes publicity in relation to shows, games, races, new theme parks, etc
- Determines financial, staffing, material and other short and long-term needs
- Recruits, supervises and trains staff
- Ensures custody of all cash receipts and organises regular stock checks
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Both graduate and non-graduate entry is possible. Off and on-the-job training is provided. Apprenticeships at level 3 and NVQs/SVQs at levels 3 and 4 are available in relevant areas. Professional qualifications may also be required for some posts.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 1224
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a leisure or sports manager or proprietor?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a leisure or sports manager or proprietor (SOC 1224). 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 1224 (Leisure and sports managers and proprietors) 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 1224?
1224 is the SOC 2020 code for Leisure and sports managers and proprietors. Leisure and sports managers organise and proprietors, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources required for the provision of sporting, artistic, theatrical and other recreational and amenity services.
What is the going rate for SOC code 1224?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £34,100 a year (£17.49 an hour) for 1224, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 1224?
GOV.UK lists: Cinema managers and proprietors, Golf course managers, Gym, fitness and leisure services managers and proprietors, Marina managers, Museum managers and proprietors, Parks and gardens managers, Theatre managers (excludes hospital service), Leisure and sports managers and proprietors 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 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.