Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a dental practitioner?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a dental practitioner (SOC 2253) 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 (2253).
- 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 2253 (Dental 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 (for example £38,472 for dental foundation training and equivalent in England). 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 | Dental practitioners |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Higher Skilled |
| Going rate | National pay scale (see below) |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 3 (England), Table 3 (Scotland), Table 3 (Wales), Table 3 (Northern Ireland) |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 2215 |
| SOC 2020 group | 22 Health professionals › 225 Other health professionals |
National pay scale going rates for 2253
For health and education codes, the going rate is the relevant national pay scale, which differs between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Grade | Going rate (per year) | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dental foundation training and equivalent | £38,472 | 35 |
| Dental core training (hospital dental services) and equivalent | £49,909 | 40 |
| Dental specialty training and equivalent | £61,825 | 40 |
| Band A posts (for example, Community practitioner) and equivalent | £50,512 | 37.5 |
| Band B posts (for example, Senior dental officer) and equivalent | £78,573 | 37.5 |
| Band C posts (for example, Specialist / managerial posts) and equivalent | £94,007 | 37.5 |
| Consultant and equivalent | £105,504 | 40 |
| Grade | Going rate (per year) | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dental foundation training (Hospital dental services) known as Vocational Training in Scotland | £39,603 | 40 |
| Dental core training and equivalent | £50,538 | 40 |
| Band A posts (for example, Community practitioner) and equivalent | £52,035 | 40 |
| Band B posts (for example, Senior dental officer) and equivalent | £80,942 | 40 |
| Band C posts (for example, Specialist / managerial posts) and equivalent | £96,841 | 40 |
| Grade | Going rate (per year) | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dental foundation training (Hospital dental services) and equivalent | £38,292 | – |
| Dental core training and equivalent | £41,269 | – |
| Band A posts (for example, Community practitioner) and equivalent | £50,789 | – |
| Band B posts (for example, Senior dental officer) and equivalent | £79,003 | – |
| Band C posts (for example, Specialist / managerial posts) and equivalent | £94,525 | – |
| Consultant and equivalent | £106,000 | 37.5 |
| Grade | Going rate (per year) | Weekly hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dental foundation year two training (Hospital dental services) and equivalent | £36,371 | – |
| Dental specialty training and equivalent | £38,780 | 40 |
| Community Dental Officer and equivalent | £47,655 | 37.5 |
| Senior community dental officer) and equivalent | £74,129 | 37.5 |
| Specialist Community Dentist | £88,686 | 37.5 |
| Assistant Community Clinical Director | £88,686 | 37.5 |
| Community Clinical Director | £88,686 | 37.5 |
| Administrative dentists: Dental Officer | £43,738 | – |
| Senior Dental Officer | £62,500 | 37 |
| Assistant clinical Director | £83,051 | 37 |
| Clinical Director | £83,051 | 37 |
| Consultant Northern Ireland | £94,127 | 40 |
Going rates must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly hours stated by the sponsor.
Job titles under SOC 2253
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Dentists and dental surgeons
- Endodontists
- Orthodontists
- Periodontists
- Dental practitioners not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Dental surgeon
- Dentist
- Orthodontist
- Periodontist
What the job involves
Dental practitioners diagnose dental and oral diseases, injuries and disorders, prescribe and administer treatment, recommend preventative action and, where necessary, refer the patient to a specialist.
Typical tasks
- Examines patient’s teeth, gums and jaw, using dental and x-ray equipment, diagnoses dental conditions
- Assesses and recommends treatment options to patients
- Administers local anaesthetics
- Carries out clinical treatments, restores teeth affected by decay etc., treats gum disease and other disorders
- Constructs and fits braces, inlays, dentures and other appliances
- Supervises patient’s progress and advises on preventative action
- Educates patients on oral health care
- Refers patient to specialist, where necessary
- Maintains patients’ dental health records
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants require an approved university degree and must have completed a period of postgraduate vocational training. Graduate entry to dental school is sometimes possible. Registration with the General Dental Council is a pre-requisite to practise. Specialist fields require further study and training.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 2253
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a dental practitioner?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a dental practitioner (SOC 2253) 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 2253 (Dental practitioners) is Higher Skilled and is listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, where the going rate is the national pay scale (for example £38,472 for dental foundation training and equivalent in England). Points option K applies, with a general threshold of £25,000 a year.
What is SOC code 2253?
2253 is the SOC 2020 code for Dental practitioners. Dental practitioners diagnose dental and oral diseases, injuries and disorders, prescribe and administer treatment, recommend preventative action and, where necessary, refer the patient to a specialist.
What job titles use SOC code 2253?
GOV.UK lists: Dentists and dental surgeons, Endodontists, Orthodontists, Periodontists, Dental 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.