Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a psychotherapist or cognitive behaviour therapist?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a psychotherapist or cognitive behaviour therapist (SOC 2224) 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 (2224).
- 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 2224 (Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists) 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 | Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists |
|---|---|
| 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) | 2229, 3219, 3235 |
| SOC 2020 group | 22 Health professionals › 222 Therapy professionals |
Agenda for Change pay bands (Table 4)
| Band | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 3 | £24,071 | £26,869 | £24,433 | £22,816 |
| Band 4 | £26,530 | £29,116 | £26,928 | £25,147 |
| Band 5 | £29,970 | £31,892 | £30,420 | £28,407 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £39,912 | £37,898 | £35,392 |
| Band 7 | £46,148 | £48,788 | £46,840 | £43,742 |
| Band 8a | £53,755 | £60,126 | £54,550 | £50,952 |
| Band 8b | £62,215 | £70,986 | £63,150 | £58,972 |
| Band 8c | £74,290 | £83,837 | £75,405 | £70,417 |
| Band 8d | £88,168 | £99,534 | £89,491 | £83,571 |
| Band 9 | £105,385 | £117,732 | £106,967 | £99,891 |
Band 1 and band 2 jobs are not eligible to be sponsored. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, band 3 and band 4 jobs can only be sponsored for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously (Table 4 notes).
Job titles under SOC 2224
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Cognitive behavioural therapists
- Psychotherapists
- Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Cognitive behavioural therapist
- Psycho-analyst
- Psychological counsellor
- Psychotherapist
What the job involves
Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists use a variety of therapies in one-on-one or group settings to help people with mental health issues, stress, emotional and relationship problems.
Typical tasks
- Assesses and provides treatment for people suffering with mental illness, stress, and emotional and relationship problems
- Talks with patients about their emotions, relationships and personal history
- Analyses events, behaviour, and habits to understand their mode of thinking and feelings
- Helps people come up with new ways to cope with their problems and to change their ways of thinking
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Job holders in this unit group will usually possess a postgraduate qualification or equivalent accredited qualification. Training usually lasts 4 years. A DBS check may be required for work with vulnerable individuals or children.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 2224
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a psychotherapist or cognitive behaviour therapist?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a psychotherapist or cognitive behaviour therapist (SOC 2224) 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 2224 (Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists) 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 2224?
2224 is the SOC 2020 code for Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists. Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists use a variety of therapies in one-on-one or group settings to help people with mental health issues, stress, emotional and relationship problems.
What job titles use SOC code 2224?
GOV.UK lists: Cognitive behavioural therapists, Psychotherapists, Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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.