Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a specialist medical practitioner?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a specialist medical practitioner (SOC 2212) 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 that meets the NHS or teacher pay scale for your role, and is at least £25,000 a year (see the pay scales)
- 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
This job can also use the Health and Care Worker visa.
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 (2212).
- 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 2212 (Specialist medical practitioners) is Higher Skilled and is listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT3 · 29 Oct 26, where the going rate is the national pay scale. Points option K applies, with a general threshold of £25,000 a year.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Specialist medical practitioners |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Higher Skilled |
| Going rate | National pay scale (see below) |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 3 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 2111, 3111 |
| SOC 2020 group | 22 Health professionals › 221 Medical practitioners |
The going rates for 2212 are the same as for SOC 2211 Generalist medical practitioners (Table 3).
Job titles under SOC 2212
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Anaesthetists
- Cardiologists
- Dermatologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Gynaecologists and obstetricians
- Haematologists
- Homeopaths (medically qualified)
- Neurologists
- Oncologists
- Paediatricians
- Psychiatrists
- Radiologists (medically qualified)
- Rheumatologists
- Surgeons
- Specialist medical practitioners not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (8)
- Anaesthetist
- Consultant (hospital service)
- Homeopath (medically qualified)
- Medical acupuncturist
- Paediatrician
- Psychiatrist
- Radiologist
- Surgeon
What the job involves
Specialist medical practitioners and consultants specialise in particular areas of modern medicine, diagnose mental and physical injuries, disorders and diseases within their specialism, prescribe and give treatment, recommend preventative action, and conduct medical education and research activities
Typical tasks
- Examines patient, arranges for any necessary x-rays or other tests and interprets results
- Diagnoses condition and prescribes and/or administers appropriate treatment/surgery
- Administers medical tests and inoculations against communicable diseases
- Supervises patient’s progress and advises on diet, exercise and other preventative action
- Provides specialist advice to generalist medical practitioners or other specialists
- Performs specialist medical tasks such as surgery, anaesthetisation and diagnostic or interventional radiology
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials
- Takes overall responsibility for, supervises and directs the implementation of care and treatment plans by other healthcare providers
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants require a university degree from a medical school recognised by the General Medical Council followed by two years of pre-registration training as a house officer, and further postgraduate training in a chosen speciality. Some medical schools operate graduate entry schemes.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 2212
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a specialist medical practitioner?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a specialist medical practitioner (SOC 2212) 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 2212 (Specialist medical practitioners) is Higher Skilled and is listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, where the going rate is the national pay scale. Points option K applies, with a general threshold of £25,000 a year.
What is SOC code 2212?
2212 is the SOC 2020 code for Specialist medical practitioners. Specialist medical practitioners and consultants specialise in particular areas of modern medicine, diagnose mental and physical injuries, disorders and diseases within their specialism, prescribe and give treatment, recommend preventative action, and conduct medical education and research activities
What job titles use SOC code 2212?
GOV.UK lists: Anaesthetists, Cardiologists, Dermatologists, Gastroenterologists, Gynaecologists and obstetricians, Haematologists, Homeopaths (medically qualified), Neurologists, Oncologists, Paediatricians, Psychiatrists, Radiologists (medically qualified), Rheumatologists, Surgeons, Specialist medical practitioners 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.