Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a nursery education teaching professional?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nursery education teaching professional (SOC 2315) 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
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 (2315).
- 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 2315 (Nursery education teaching professionals) 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 | Nursery education teaching professionals |
|---|---|
| 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) | 2315 |
| SOC 2020 group | 23 Teaching and other educational professionals › 231 Teaching professionals |
Teacher pay scale going rates (Table 5)
For 2315, the going rate is the relevant teacher pay scale in Table 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, set by role and area. Rates are per year for a full-time teacher and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.
| Role | England (excluding London / Fringe) | London Fringe | Outer London | Inner London | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unqualified teachers / Probationers | £21,731 | £23,140 | £25,758 | £27,252 | £33,594 | £21,812 | – |
| Qualified teachers | £31,650 | £33,075 | £36,413 | £38,766 | £40,305 | £32,433 | £30,000 |
| Chartered teachers | – | – | – | – | £52,158 | – | – |
| Principal teachers | – | – | – | – | £55,155 | – | – |
| Leadership group | £49,781 | £51,151 | £53,731 | £59,186 | – | £50,653 | £47,241 |
| Leading practitioner | £50,025 | £51,403 | £53,994 | £59,478 | – | £50,902 | – |
| Head teacher | £56,316 | £57,693 | £60,266 | £65,731 | £62,556 | £57,304 | £53,309 |
Job titles under SOC 2315
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Nursery education teaching professionals
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (3)
- Kindergarten teacher (professional)
- Nursery school teacher
- Pre-school teacher
What the job involves
Nursery education teaching professionals care for and teach children up to the age of entry into primary school.
Typical tasks
- Prepares and delivers lessons in accordance with early years foundation stages curriculum and encourages and stimulates children's learning
- Teaches simple songs and rhymes, reads stories and organises various activities to promote language, social and physical development
- Supervises and cares for children, provides a secure learning environment and ensures their health and safety is maintained during all activities
- Undertakes pastoral duties
- Supervises teaching assistants and trainees
- Observes and assesses students and discusses their progress with parents and/or other education professionals
- Assists with or plans and develops curriculum and rota of teaching duties
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants will usually possess a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification or relevant experience. Early years teacher status or equivalent is required. A DBS check is mandatory.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 2315
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a nursery education teaching professional?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nursery education teaching professional (SOC 2315) 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 2315 (Nursery education teaching professionals) 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 2315?
2315 is the SOC 2020 code for Nursery education teaching professionals. Nursery education teaching professionals care for and teach children up to the age of entry into primary school.
What job titles use SOC code 2315?
GOV.UK lists: Nursery education teaching professionals.
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.