Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a photographer, audio-visual or broadcasting equipment operator?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a photographer, audio-visual or broadcasting equipment operator (SOC 3417) 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 £33,400 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 (3417).
- 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 3417 (Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators) 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 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £33,400 a year (£17.13 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 2026Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3417 |
| SOC 2020 group | 34 Culture, media and sports occupations › 341 Artistic, literary and media occupations |
Going rates for 3417 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. | £33,400 £17.13/hr | n/a | n/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. | £25,400 £13.03/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3417
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 | £33,400 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | Not applicable | – |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| 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 | £25,400 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | Not applicable | – |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| 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 3417
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 3417
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Camera operators and videographers
- Lighting designers
- Photographers
- Sound designers
- Sound engineers
- Theatre technicians (excludes hospitals)
- Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (9)
- Audio visual technician
- Cameraman
- Commercial drone pilot
- Digital imaging technician
- Lighting designer
- Photographer
- Projectionist
- Sound engineer
- Theatre technician (entertainment)
What the job involves
Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators operate and assist with still, cine and television cameras, operate other equipment and software to record, manipulate and project sound and vision for entertainment, cultural, commercial and industrial purposes, including digital and interactive media; and operate drones to provide aerial video and photographs.
Typical tasks
- Selects subject and conceives composition of picture or discusses composition with colleagues
- Arranges subject, lighting, camera equipment and any microphones
- Inserts lenses and adjusts aperture and speed settings as necessary
- Operates scanning equipment to transfer image to computer and manipulates image to achieve the desired effect
- Photographs subject or follows action by moving camera
- Takes, records and manipulates digital images and digital video footage
- Controls transmission, broadcasting and satellite systems for television and radio programmes, identifies and solves related technical problems
- Checks operation and positioning of projectors, vision and sound recording equipment, and mixing and dubbing equipment
- Operates equipment to record, edit and play back films and television programmes
- Manages health and safety issues
- Operates sound mixing and dubbing equipment to obtain desired mix, level and balance of sound
- Maintains, repairs, programs and operates unmanned aircraft to provide aerial photographs and video
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no set academic requirements although entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades, A levels/H grades and are able to demonstrate proof of pre- entry work experience. A variety of diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications are available. Vocational qualifications in Photography are available at levels 1,2 and 3.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3417
Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a photographer, audio-visual or broadcasting equipment operator?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a photographer, audio-visual or broadcasting equipment operator (SOC 3417) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 3417 (Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators) 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 3417?
3417 is the SOC 2020 code for Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators. Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators operate and assist with still, cine and television cameras, operate other equipment and software to record, manipulate and project sound and vision for entertainment, cultural, commercial and industrial purposes, including digital and interactive media; and operate drones to provide aerial video and photographs.
What is the going rate for SOC code 3417?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 3417, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
Is 3417 on the Temporary Shortage List?
Yes, for photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators. It applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 3417?
GOV.UK lists: Camera operators and videographers, Lighting designers, Photographers, Sound designers, Sound engineers, Theatre technicians (excludes hospitals), Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators 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.