Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a health care practice manager?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a health care practice manager (SOC 1231). 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
- a criminal record certificate, if you're applying from outside the UK
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 1231 (Health care practice managers) 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 | Health care practice managers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £40,400 a year (£20.72 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) | 1241 |
| SOC 2020 group | 12 Other managers and proprietors › 123 Managers and proprietors in health and care services |
Going rates for 1231 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. | £40,400 £20.72/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. | £32,600 £16.72/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 1231
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 | £40,400 (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 (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 | £32,600 (100%) | £32,600 |
| 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 1231
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Dental practice managers
- Medical practice managers
- Opticians managers
- Veterinary practice managers
- Health care practice managers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Clinic manager
- Dental practice manager
- GP practice manager
- Patient services manager
- Veterinary practice manager
What the job involves
Healthcare practice managers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the work and resources of medical, dental and other types of healthcare practice, including veterinary practices.
Typical tasks
- Plans work schedules, assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities of practice staff
- Oversees staff training and monitors training needs
- Takes responsibility for health and safety matters within the practice
- Negotiates contracts for services with other health care providers and purchasers
- Maintains patient files on medical history, consultations and treatment undertaken and/or drugs prescribed
- Organises duty rosters for professional and support staff in practice
- Takes responsibility for stock control of practice equipment, drugs, etc
- Liaises with relevant outside organisations (e.g. NHS trust, PCT, social services, drug companies, professional bodies)
- Responsible for budgeting, pricing and accounting activities within the practice
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no pre-set entry requirements. Candidates are recruited with a variety of academic qualifications or with relevant experience. Professional qualifications are available and are required for certain posts.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 1231
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a health care practice manager?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a health care practice manager (SOC 1231). 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 1231 (Health care practice managers) 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 1231?
1231 is the SOC 2020 code for Health care practice managers. Healthcare practice managers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the work and resources of medical, dental and other types of healthcare practice, including veterinary practices.
What is the going rate for SOC code 1231?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £40,400 a year (£20.72 an hour) for 1231, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 1231?
GOV.UK lists: Dental practice managers, Medical practice managers, Opticians managers, Veterinary practice managers, Health care practice managers 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.