3413SOC 2020 · 3 · 34 · 341Medium Skilled · Table 1a

Actors, entertainers and presenters: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 3413

Medium Skilled

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an actor, entertainer or presenter?

Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an actor, entertainer or presenter (SOC 3413). 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
  • 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

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 3413 (Actors, entertainers and presenters) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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.
Key facts for SOC 3413
OccupationActors, entertainers and presenters
Skilled Worker eligibilityMedium Skilled
Going rate£33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour)T1a
Appendix table(s)Table 1a, Table 2aa, Table 2b
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsNo
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)3413, 3415, 3416
SOC 2020 group34 Culture, media and sports occupations › 341 Artistic, literary and media occupations

Going rates for 3413 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 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. £33,400
£17.13/hr		n/an/a£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. £25,000
£12.82/hr		n/an/a£25,000
£12.82/hr
Table 2bGlobal Business Mobility only: lead applicants granted permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030. £31,300
£16.05/hr		n/an/a£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 3413

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 1a)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
AStandard £41,700£33,400 (100%) £41,700
BThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £37,500Not applicable –
CThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £33,400Not applicable –
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 2aa)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£25,000 (100%) £31,300
GThe applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job £28,200Not applicable –
HThe applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job £25,000Not applicable –
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 3413

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Actors
  • Broadcasters, podcasters and presenters
  • Children’s entertainers
  • Comedians
  • Disc jockeys
  • Magicians
  • Models
  • Singers
  • Social media influencers
  • Actors, entertainers and presenters not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
  • Actor
  • Commentator (broadcasting)
  • Costumed interpreter
  • Disc jockey
  • Entertainer
  • Presenter (broadcasting)
  • Singer

What the job involves

Actors, entertainers, presenters, and perfomance artists sing, portray roles in dramatic productions, perform comedy routines, gymnastic feats and tricks of illusion, train animals to perform and perform with them, and introduce and present radio and television programmes.

Typical tasks

  • Studies script; play or book and prepares and rehearses interpretation
  • Assumes character created by a playwright or author and communicates this to an audience
  • Performs singing, comedy, acrobatic, illusion and conjuring routines
  • Trains animals to perform entertaining routines and may perform with them
  • Introduces and presents radio and television programmes, reads news bulletins and makes announcements
  • Conducts interviews and prepares reports for news broadcasts, current affairs programmes and documentaries
  • Plays pre-recorded music at nightclubs, discotheques, and private functions

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entry does not depend on academic qualifications although some drama schools require candidates to have GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades or a degree. Entry can be based upon an audition. Membership of the appropriate trade union is usually required. Vocational qualifications in performing arts are available.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 3413

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an actor, entertainer or presenter?

Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an actor, entertainer or presenter (SOC 3413). 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 3413 (Actors, entertainers and presenters) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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 3413?

3413 is the SOC 2020 code for Actors, entertainers and presenters. Actors, entertainers, presenters, and perfomance artists sing, portray roles in dramatic productions, perform comedy routines, gymnastic feats and tricks of illusion, train animals to perform and perform with them, and introduce and present radio and television programmes.

What is the going rate for SOC code 3413?

Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 3413, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

What job titles use SOC code 3413?

GOV.UK lists: Actors, Broadcasters, podcasters and presenters, Children’s entertainers, Comedians, Disc jockeys, Magicians, Models, Singers, Social media influencers, Actors, entertainers and presenters not elsewhere classified.

Sources

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