2234SOC 2020 · 2 · 22 · 223Higher Skilled · Table 3

Registered nurse practitioners: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 2234

Higher Skilled

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a registered nurse practitioner?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a registered nurse practitioner (SOC 2234) 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 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 (2234).
  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 2234 (Registered nurse 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.
Key facts for SOC 2234
OccupationRegistered nurse practitioners
Skilled Worker eligibilityHigher Skilled
Going rateNational pay scale (see below)
Appendix table(s)Table 3
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)2231
SOC 2020 group22 Health professionals › 223 Nursing professionals

Agenda for Change pay bands (Table 4)

BandEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern 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 2234

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Mental health nurse practitioners
  • Nurse practitioners not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (3)
  • Health care practitioner
  • Mental health practitioner
  • Practitioner (nursing)

What the job involves

Registered nurse practitioners provide nursing care for the sick, injured and others in need of such care, assist medical doctors with their tasks and also provide care independently, including diagnosing patients, the ordering and interpretation of tests, the determination of treatment and prescription of medication.

Typical tasks

  • Assists medical doctors and works with other healthcare professionals to deal with emergencies and pre-planned treatment of patients
  • Manages own case load
  • Interviews and diagnoses patients, orders tests and interprets results and determines appropriate treatments
  • Monitors patient’s progress, administers drugs and medicines, applies surgical dressings and gives other forms of treatment
  • Plans duty rotas and organises and directs the work and training of ward and theatre nursing staff
  • Plans, manages, provides and evaluates nursing care services for patients, supervises the implementation of nursing care plans

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Qualification as a nurse is via a diploma or degree course, both of which are provided by universities, or through an apprenticeship. Courses comprise both theoretical and practical work, including placements in hospital and community settings. To become an advanced nurse practitioner significant experience and qualification to a postgraduate level is usually required.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 2234

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a registered nurse practitioner?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a registered nurse practitioner (SOC 2234) 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 2234 (Registered nurse 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 2234?

2234 is the SOC 2020 code for Registered nurse practitioners. Registered nurse practitioners provide nursing care for the sick, injured and others in need of such care, assist medical doctors with their tasks and also provide care independently, including diagnosing patients, the ordering and interpretation of tests, the determination of treatment and prescription of medication.

What job titles use SOC code 2234?

GOV.UK lists: Mental health nurse practitioners, Nurse practitioners 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.