Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an IT operations technician?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an IT operations technician (SOC 3131) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list’s end date.
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 £35,200 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
Check the date. The Temporary Shortage List only counts if your employer gives you your certificate of sponsorship before 31 December 2026.
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 (3131).
- 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 3131 (IT operations technicians) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Temporary Shortage List. The Temporary Shortage List applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026. It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | IT operations technicians |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £35,200 a year (£18.05 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | Yes, certificate of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026IT operations technicians |
| Eligible for PhD points | Yes |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3131, 5245 |
| SOC 2020 group | 31 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals › 313 Information technology technicians |
Going rates for 3131 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 to | Going rate | 90% | 80% | 70% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table 1aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List. | £35,200 £18.05/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr |
| Table 2aaFor applicants using options F–J who were granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 and have held it continuously, unless option I (Immigration Salary List) or the Temporary Shortage List applies. Not eligible for Global Business Mobility or Scale-up. | £27,700 £14.21/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3131
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.
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standard | £41,700 | £35,200 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | £33,400 (90%) | £37,500 |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | £33,400 (80%) | £33,400 |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £33,400 | £33,400 (70%) | £33,400 |
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £27,700 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | £25,000 (90%) | £28,200 |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | £25,000 (80%) | £25,000 |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £25,000 | £25,000 (70%) | £25,000 |
Rule changes that named 3131
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 3131
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Games testers
- Network and systems administrators
- Quality assurance testers
- Software technicians
- IT operations technicians not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Computer games tester
- Digital administrator
- IT technician
- Network administrator
- Systems administrator
What the job involves
IT technicians are responsible for the day-to-day running of IT systems and networks including the preparation of back-up systems, and for performing regular checks to ensure the smooth functioning of such systems.
Typical tasks
- Administers, monitors and supports internal/external networks, servers, email and security systems
- Configures and sets up new server systems
- Schedules and performs system maintenance tasks, such as loading user applications, programs and data
- Analyses systems and makes recommendations to improve performance
- Identifies problems, agrees remedial action and undertakes emergency maintenance if required
- Performs server backup and recovery operations and restarts systems following outages
- Acts as a liaison between users, outside suppliers, and other technical teams
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades together with an appropriate vocational qualification. Some employers may demand a relevant degree. Training is provided off and on-the-job supplemented by specialised courses. Postgraduate and professional qualifications and apprenticeships in some areas are available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3131
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an IT operations technician?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an IT operations technician (SOC 3131) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 3131 (IT operations technicians) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Temporary Shortage List. The Temporary Shortage List applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026. It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
What is SOC code 3131?
3131 is the SOC 2020 code for IT operations technicians. IT technicians are responsible for the day-to-day running of IT systems and networks including the preparation of back-up systems, and for performing regular checks to ensure the smooth functioning of such systems.
What is the going rate for SOC code 3131?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £35,200 a year (£18.05 an hour) for 3131, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
Is 3131 on the Temporary Shortage List?
Yes, for it operations technicians. It applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 3131?
GOV.UK lists: Games testers, Network and systems administrators, Quality assurance testers, Software technicians, IT operations technicians 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)
- Skilled Worker visa: temporary shortage list (GOV.UK, updated 20 July 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.