1259SOC 2020 · 1 · 12 · 125Medium Skilled · Table 1a

Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 1259

Medium Skilled

Rules checked against GOV.UK 6 November 2026 · Compiled by SWC Editorial Team

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified”?

Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified” (SOC 1259). 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 1259 (Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified) 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.
Key facts for SOC 1259
OccupationManagers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified
Skilled Worker eligibilityMedium Skilled
Going rate£41,700 a year (£21.38 an hour)T1a
Appendix table(s)Table 1a, Table 2aa, Table 2b
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsNo
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)1139, 1259
SOC 2020 group12 Other managers and proprietors › 125 Managers and proprietors in other services

Going rates for 1259 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 toGoing rate90%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. £41,700
£21.38/hr
n/an/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. £33,100
£16.97/hr
n/an/a£25,000
£12.82/hr
Table 2bGlobal Business Mobility only: lead applicants granted permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030. £33,100
£16.97/hr
n/an/a£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 1259

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.

Options A–E (going rates from Table 1a)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
AStandard £41,700£41,700 (100%) £41,700
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500Not applicable –
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400Not applicable –
DThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) £33,400Not applicable –
EThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £33,400£33,400 (70%) £33,400
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2aa)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£33,100 (100%) £33,100
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200Not applicable –
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000Not applicable –
IThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) £25,000Not applicable –
JThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £25,000£25,000 (70%) £25,000

Job titles under SOC 1259

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Cleaning and hygiene services managers and proprietors
  • Educational establishment managers and proprietors
  • Funeral services and crematorium managers and proprietors
  • Library managers
  • Recruitment agency managers and proprietors
  • Security services managers and proprietors
  • Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
  • Director (private detective agency)
  • Car park manager
  • Cemetery Manager
  • Library manager
  • Owner (cleaning services)
  • Training centre manager
  • Driving school owner

What the job involves

Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of managerial tasks in other service industries not elsewhere classified in minor group 125: Managers and proprietors in other services.

Typical tasks

  • Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements
  • Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and that stock keeping is carried out efficiently
  • Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price and credit terms
  • Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities
  • Manages agencies to provide services out-sourced by other organisations and businesses
  • Ensures maintenance of appropriate service levels to meet the objectives of the business

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entry requirements vary according to the particular company and/or service. Some companies do not require candidates to have academic qualifications, but others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 1259

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified”?

Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified” (SOC 1259). 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 1259 (Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified) 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 1259?

1259 is the SOC 2020 code for Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified. Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of managerial tasks in other service industries not elsewhere classified in minor group 125: Managers and proprietors in other services.

What is the going rate for SOC code 1259?

Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £41,700 a year (£21.38 an hour) for 1259, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

What job titles use SOC code 1259?

GOV.UK lists: Cleaning and hygiene services managers and proprietors, Educational establishment managers and proprietors, Funeral services and crematorium managers and proprietors, Library managers, Recruitment agency managers and proprietors, Security services managers and proprietors, Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified.

Sources

Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.