2112SOC 2020 · 2 · 21 · 211Higher Skilled · Table 1

Biological scientists: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 2112

Higher Skilled Immigration Salary List

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a biological scientist?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a biological scientist (SOC 2112) 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 £41,700 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 £41,700 in some cases:

  • £33,400 a year if you’re a new entrant
  • £37,500 a year with a PhD relevant to the job
  • £33,400 a year with a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD relevant to the job
  • £40,300 a year because the job is on the Immigration Salary List

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.

If the job includes research at PhD level in some science and technology subjects, you may also need an ATAS certificate. Read the ATAS rules on GOV.UK.

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 surchargeusually £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

  1. Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (2112).
  2. Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
  3. Prove your English and get your documents ready (documents list).
  4. Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. You'll pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
  5. 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 2112 (Biological scientists) 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 £40,300 a year (£20.67 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.
Key facts for SOC 2112
OccupationBiological scientists
Skilled Worker eligibilityHigher Skilled
Going rate£40,300 a year (£20.67 an hour)T1
Appendix table(s)Table 1, Table 2
Immigration Salary ListYes, until 31 December 2026All jobs. (all UK)
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsYes
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)2112
SOC 2020 group21 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals › 211 Natural and social science professionals

Going rates for 2112 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 1The main table for Skilled Worker applications. Going rates are based on median earnings (ASHE). £40,300
£20.67/hr		£36,300
£18.62/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr		£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. £30,700
£15.74/hr		£27,600
£14.15/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 2112

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 1)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
AStandard £41,700£40,300 (100%) £41,700
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500£36,300 (90%) £37,500
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400£33,400 (80%) £33,400
DThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List £33,400£40,300 (100%) £40,300
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 2)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£30,700 (100%) £31,300
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200£27,600 (90%) £28,200
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000£25,000 (80%) £25,000
IThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List £25,000£30,700 (100%) £30,700
JThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £25,000£25,000 (70%) £25,000

Rule changes that named 2112

Job titles under SOC 2112

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Agricultural scientists
  • Biologists
  • Botanical and horticultural scientists
  • Microbiologists and bacteriologists
  • Pathologists
  • Pharmacologists
  • Zoological scientists
  • Biological scientists not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
  • Agricultural consultant
  • Forensic scientist
  • Horticulturist (professional)
  • Microbiologist
  • Pathologist

What the job involves

Biological scientists examine and investigate the morphology, structure, and physical characteristics of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases.

Typical tasks

  • Studies the physical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms
  • Researches the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms
  • Observes the structure of communities of organisms in the laboratory and in their natural environment
  • Advises farmers, medical staff and others, on the nature of field crops, livestock and produce and on the treatment and prevention of disease
  • Monitors the distribution, presence and behaviour of plants, animals and aquatic life, and performs other scientific tasks related to conservation not performed by Job holders in MINOR GROUP 215: Conservation and Environment Professionals

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entrants usually possess a degree and some roles may require a postgraduate qualification. Entry may also be possible with an appropriate BTEC/SQA award, an HNC/NHD, or other academic qualifications. Further specialist training is provided on the job. Some employers may expect entrants to gain professional qualifications.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 2112

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a biological scientist?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a biological scientist (SOC 2112) 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 2112 (Biological scientists) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £40,300 a year (£20.67 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

What is SOC code 2112?

2112 is the SOC 2020 code for Biological scientists. Biological scientists examine and investigate the morphology, structure, and physical characteristics of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases.

What is the going rate for SOC code 2112?

Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £40,300 a year (£20.67 an hour) for 2112, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

Is 2112 on the Immigration Salary List?

Yes. All jobs. in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The list states a removal date of 31 December 2026.

What job titles use SOC code 2112?

GOV.UK lists: Agricultural scientists, Biologists, Botanical and horticultural scientists, Microbiologists and bacteriologists, Pathologists, Pharmacologists, Zoological scientists, Biological scientists 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.