2317SOC 2020 · 2 · 23 · 231Higher Skilled · Table 1

Teachers of english as a foreign language: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 2317

Higher Skilled

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a teacher of English as a foreign language?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a teacher of English as a foreign language (SOC 2317) 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 of at least £41,700 a year
  • 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

You can be paid less than £41,700 in some cases:

  • £33,400 a year if you’re a new entrant
  • £37,500 a year with a PhD relevant to the job
  • £33,400 a year with a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD relevant to the job

You're a new entrant if, for example, you're under 26, recently finished studying in the UK, or are working towards a professional qualification. Check who counts as a new entrant.

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 (2317).
  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 2317 (Teachers of english as a foreign language) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1 · 29 Oct 26 with a going rate of £36,200 a year (£18.56 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.
Key facts for SOC 2317
OccupationTeachers of english as a foreign language
Skilled Worker eligibilityHigher Skilled
Going rate£36,200 a year (£18.56 an hour)T1
Appendix table(s)Table 1, Table 2
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsYes
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)2319
SOC 2020 group23 Teaching and other educational professionals › 231 Teaching professionals

Going rates for 2317 in Appendix Skilled Occupations

A code can appear in more than one table. Each table applies to different applicants. Rates are per year for a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other hours.

Table and who it applies toGoing rate90%80%70%
Table 1The main table for Skilled Worker applications. Going rates are based on median earnings (ASHE). £36,200
£18.56/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr		£33,400
£17.13/hr
Table 2Rates based on 25th-percentile earnings. Used for Health and Care ASHE salary jobs, and for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024 who have held it continuously and apply before 4 April 2030. Also the rates for Global Business Mobility and Scale-up. £30,100
£15.44/hr		£27,100
£13.90/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr		£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 2317

Under Appendix Skilled Worker, the salary must equal or exceed both the general threshold and the going-rate figure for the points option used. This table puts the two figures side by side for each option. It does not say which option applies to any person. See salary thresholds for the conditions on each option.

Options A–E (going rates from Table 1)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
AStandard £41,700£36,200 (100%) £41,700
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500£33,400 (90%) £37,500
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400£33,400 (80%) £33,400
DThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) £33,400Not applicable –
EThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £33,400£33,400 (70%) £33,400
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£30,100 (100%) £31,300
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200£27,100 (90%) £28,200
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000£25,000 (80%) £25,000
IThe applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) £25,000Not applicable –
JThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £25,000£25,000 (70%) £25,000

Job titles under SOC 2317

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (3)
  • TEFL
  • English as a second language teacher
  • ESOL tutor

What the job involves

Teachers of English as a foreign language teach students to speak and write the English language, either for the first time or building on their existing knowledge.

Typical tasks

  • Teaches English as a foreign language and assists in the tuition of foreign languages
  • Plans and prepares language lessons and materials
  • Encourages conversations in English to improve students confidence and understanding
  • Sets and marks tests and gives feedback on student's performance
  • Organises students' participation in cultural activities and social events

Typical entry routes and qualifications

There are no pre-set academic entry requirements, however, many employers may require you to have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course. TEFL courses require students to be 18 and to have a good level of English. A DBS check may be required.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 2317

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a teacher of English as a foreign language?

Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a teacher of English as a foreign language (SOC 2317) 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 2317 (Teachers of english as a foreign language) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £36,200 a year (£18.56 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.

What is SOC code 2317?

2317 is the SOC 2020 code for Teachers of english as a foreign language. Teachers of English as a foreign language teach students to speak and write the English language, either for the first time or building on their existing knowledge.

What is the going rate for SOC code 2317?

Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £36,200 a year (£18.56 an hour) for 2317, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

What job titles use SOC code 2317?

GOV.UK lists: Teachers of English as a Foreign Language.

Sources

Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.