Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a higher level teaching assistant?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a higher level teaching assistant (SOC 3231). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break.
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
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 3231 (Higher level teaching assistants) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 3a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT3a · 29 Oct 26: health and education jobs at RQF 3–5. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Higher level teaching assistants |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | National pay scale (see below) |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 3a |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 6125, 6126 |
| SOC 2020 group | 32 Health and social care associate professionals › 323 Teaching and childcare associate professionals |
National pay scale going rates for 3231
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 |
|---|---|---|
| General Assistants / Classroom Assistants | £23,656 | – |
| Classroom Assistant SEN | £25,147 | – |
Going rates must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly hours stated by the sponsor.
Rule changes that named 3231
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 3231
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Higher level teaching assistants
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Advanced teaching assistant
- HLTA
- Learning support practitioner
- Teaching assistant (qualified)
What the job involves
Higher level teaching assistants (HLTA’s) assist teachers with their day-to-day classroom work, the provision and planning of and the creation of lesson materials. HLTA’s teach classes on their own and may be trained in relevant learning strategies such as literacy. They may support students with special/additional needs and work in special and additional needs schools.
Typical tasks
- Assists with development of lesson plans and materials
- Assists teacher with preparation or clearing up of classroom
- Gives lessons to classes and individual students independently of the teacher
- Assess, record and report on pupils' progress
- Manages and supports other teaching assistants
- Listens to children read, reads to them or tells stories
- Assists children with washing or dressing for outdoor and similar activities
- Makes simple teaching aids and constructs thematic displays of educational material or children’s work
- Helps with outings and other out-of-classroom activities
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants must achieve Higher level Teaching Assistant status. Academic qualifications may be required by some employers and significant relevant experience is usually necessary. NVQs at level 4 are available. A DBS check is mandatory.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3231
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a higher level teaching assistant?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a higher level teaching assistant (SOC 3231). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break. SOC 2020 code 3231 (Higher level teaching assistants) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: health and education jobs at RQF 3–5. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously.
What is SOC code 3231?
3231 is the SOC 2020 code for Higher level teaching assistants. Higher level teaching assistants (HLTA’s) assist teachers with their day-to-day classroom work, the provision and planning of and the creation of lesson materials. HLTA’s teach classes on their own and may be trained in relevant learning strategies such as literacy. They may support students with special/additional needs and work in special and additional needs schools.
What job titles use SOC code 3231?
GOV.UK lists: Higher level teaching assistants.
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.