Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in the creative industries?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in the creative industries (SOC 1255) if you meet the requirements below.
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 £44,900 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
You can be paid less than £44,900 in some cases:
- £33,400 a year if you’re a new entrant
You're a new entrant if, for example, you're under 26, recently finished studying in the UK, or are working towards a professional qualification. Check who counts as a new entrant.
How much it costs
| Visa fee, applying from outside the UK | £819 for up to 3 years £1,618 for more than 3 years |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, applying from inside the UK | £943 for up to 3 years £1,865 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 £819 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,924 in total. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. 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 (1255).
- 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 1255 (Managers and directors in the creative industries) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1 · 29 Oct 26 with a going rate of £44,900 a year (£23.03 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Managers and directors in the creative industries |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Higher Skilled |
| Going rate | £44,900 a year (£23.03 an hour)T1 |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1, Table 2 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 1121, 1134, 1139, 1225, 1259, 2435, 3416 |
| SOC 2020 group | 12 Other managers and proprietors › 125 Managers and proprietors in other services |
Going rates for 1255 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 1The main table for Skilled Worker applications. Going rates are based on median earnings (ASHE). | £44,900 £23.03/hr | n/a | n/a | £33,400 £17.13/hr |
| Table 2Rates based on 25th-percentile earnings. Used for Health and Care ASHE salary jobs, and for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024 who have held it continuously and apply before 4 April 2030. Also the rates for Global Business Mobility and Scale-up. | £37,000 £18.97/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,900 £13.28/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 1255
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 | £44,900 (100%) | £44,900 |
| 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 | £37,000 (100%) | £37,000 |
| 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 | £25,900 (70%) | £25,900 |
Job titles under SOC 1255
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Art gallery managers and directors
- Film and television production managers
- Publishing managers and directors
- Radio production managers
- Sport and talent agents
- Theatre production managers
- Managers and directors in the creative industries not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (8)
- Art gallery owner
- Artist manager
- Director (architectural service)
- Graphic design manager
- Gallery Manager
- Production manager (entertainment)
- Publisher
- Radio station manager
What the job involves
Managers and directors in creative industries plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of organisations in sectors such as arts, publishing, music, media, design and architecture.
Typical tasks
- Plans, organises, directs and co-ordinates the activities and resources of organisations in the creative industries, such as publishing firms, art galleries and television companies
- Liaises with clients, generates new business and promotes their organisation by attending and organising conferences, exhibits and other events
- Helps set the creative direction of their organisation and finds new talent, such as artists, writers and musicians, as well as pieces such as artworks, scripts and music
- Keeps up to date with new releases, publications and trends in relevant fields
- Establishes client's requirements and oversees the conception and development of multiple projects
- Reviews and revises creative teams' work across multiple projects
- Determines staffing, material, financial, and other short- and long-term needs
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry requirements vary according to the specific sector. Most post holders will have relevant experience and while some fields do not require candidates to have academic qualifications others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided, and vocational qualifications are available in many of these sectors.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 1255
Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in the creative industries?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a manager or director in the creative industries (SOC 1255) if you meet the requirements: a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, the minimum salary, and English at level B2. SOC 2020 code 1255 (Managers and directors in the creative industries) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £44,900 a year (£23.03 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.
What is SOC code 1255?
1255 is the SOC 2020 code for Managers and directors in the creative industries. Managers and directors in creative industries plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of organisations in sectors such as arts, publishing, music, media, design and architecture.
What is the going rate for SOC code 1255?
Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £44,900 a year (£23.03 an hour) for 1255, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 1255?
GOV.UK lists: Art gallery managers and directors, Film and television production managers, Publishing managers and directors, Radio production managers, Sport and talent agents, Theatre production managers, Managers and directors in the creative industries 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.