2121SOC 2020 · 2 · 21 · 212Higher Skilled · Table 1

Civil engineers: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 2121

Higher Skilled

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a civil engineer?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a civil engineer (SOC 2121) 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 £50,400 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 £50,400 in some cases:

  • £35,200 a year if you’re a new entrant
  • £45,300 a year with a PhD relevant to the job
  • £40,300 a year with a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD relevant to the job

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 surchargeusually £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

  1. Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (2121).
  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 2121 (Civil engineers) 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 £50,400 a year (£25.85 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 2121
OccupationCivil engineers
Skilled Worker eligibilityHigher Skilled
Going rate£50,400 a year (£25.85 an hour)T1
Appendix table(s)Table 1, Table 2
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsYes
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)2121, 2122, 2126
SOC 2020 group21 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals › 212 Engineering professionals

Going rates for 2121 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). £50,400
£25.85/hr		£45,300
£23.23/hr		£40,300
£20.67/hr		£35,200
£18.05/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. £39,200
£20.10/hr		£35,300
£18.10/hr		£31,300
£16.05/hr		£27,400
£14.05/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 2121

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£50,400 (100%) £50,400
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500£45,300 (90%) £45,300
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400£40,300 (80%) £40,300
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£35,200 (70%) £35,200
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£39,200 (100%) £39,200
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200£35,300 (90%) £35,300
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000£31,300 (80%) £31,300
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£27,400 (70%) £27,400

Job titles under SOC 2121

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Building and building services engineers
  • Geotechnical engineers
  • Mining engineers
  • Structural engineers
  • Transportation engineers
  • Water engineers (professional)
  • Civil engineers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
  • Building engineer
  • Civil engineer (professional)
  • Highways engineer
  • Petroleum engineer
  • Public health engineer
  • Site engineer (building construction)
  • Structural engineer

What the job involves

Civil engineers undertake research and design, direct construction and manage the operation and maintenance of civil and mining engineering structures.

Typical tasks

  • Undertakes research and advises on soil mechanics, concrete technology, hydraulics, water and waste water treatment processes and other civil engineering matters
  • Determines and specifies construction methods, materials, quality and safety standards and ensures that equipment operation and maintenance comply with design specifications
  • Designs foundations and earthworks
  • Designs structures such as roads, dams, bridges, railways, hydraulic systems, sewerage systems, industrial and other buildings and plans the layout of tunnels, wells and construction shafts
  • Organises and plans projects, arranges work schedules, carries out inspection work and plans maintenance control
  • Organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Civil engineers usually possess an accredited three or four year degree in civil engineering or engineering science or an accredited Higher National Diploma or Certificate. The status of ‘incorporated engineer’ is obtained upon the completion of further training at work and associate membership of a chartered engineering institution. The status of ‘chartered engineer’ is achieved through the completion of postgraduate training and full membership of a chartered engineering institution.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 2121

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a civil engineer?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a civil engineer (SOC 2121) 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 2121 (Civil engineers) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £50,400 a year (£25.85 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

What is SOC code 2121?

2121 is the SOC 2020 code for Civil engineers. Civil engineers undertake research and design, direct construction and manage the operation and maintenance of civil and mining engineering structures.

What is the going rate for SOC code 2121?

Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £50,400 a year (£25.85 an hour) for 2121, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

What job titles use SOC code 2121?

GOV.UK lists: Building and building services engineers, Geotechnical engineers, Mining engineers, Structural engineers, Transportation engineers, Water engineers (professional), Civil engineers 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.