Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an aircraft pilot or air traffic controller?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an aircraft pilot or air traffic controller (SOC 3511) 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 £80,400 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
You can be paid less than £80,400 in some cases:
- £56,300 a year if you’re a new entrant
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 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 (3511).
- 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 3511 (Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers) 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 £80,400 a year (£41.23 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.| Occupation | Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Higher Skilled |
| Going rate | £80,400 a year (£41.23 an hour)T1 |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1, Table 2 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3511, 3512 |
| SOC 2020 group | 35 Business and public service associate professionals › 351 Transport associate professionals |
Going rates for 3511 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 1The main table for Skilled Worker applications. Going rates are based on median earnings (ASHE). | £80,400 £41.23/hr | n/a | n/a | £56,300 £28.87/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. | £64,100 £32.87/hr | n/a | n/a | £44,900 £23.03/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3511
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 | £80,400 (100%) | £80,400 |
| 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 | £56,300 (70%) | £56,300 |
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £64,100 (100%) | £64,100 |
| 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 | £44,900 (70%) | £44,900 |
Job titles under SOC 3511
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Airline pilots
- Air traffic controllers
- Flying instructors
- Helicopter pilots
- Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
- Airline pilot
- Air traffic controller
- First officer (airlines)
- Flight engineer
- Flight planner
- Flying instructor
- Helicopter pilot
What the job involves
Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers navigate and pilot aircraft, prepare flight plans, authorise flight departures and arrivals, maintain radio, radar and/or visual contact with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of air traffic, check, regulate, adjust and test engines and other equipment prior to take-off and give flying lessons.
Typical tasks
- Studies flight plan and makes any necessary adjustments
- Directs or undertakes checks on engines, instruments, control panels, cargo distribution, fuel supplies, aircraft's stability, response to controls and overall performance
- Directs or undertakes the operation of controls to fly airplanes and helicopters, complying with air traffic control and aircraft operating procedures
- Monitors fuel consumption, air pressure, engine performance and other indicators during flight and advises pilot of any factors that affect the navigation or performance of the aircraft
- Maintains radio contact and discusses weather conditions with air traffic controllers
- Directs the movement of aircraft and maintains radio and/or radar or visual contact en-route to its destination, in and out of controlled airspace or into holding areas ready for landing
- Gives landing Instructions to pilot and monitors descent
- Plans flight route, calculate fuel consumption and optimum flying height and obtains information on weather and other conditions, such as cargo distribution
- Handles emergencies, unscheduled traffic and other unanticipated incidents
- Accompanies pupil on training flights and demonstrates flying techniques
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, a BTEC/ SQA award or equivalent qualification can apply for an airline sponsorship. Private residential training as a pilot is available to candidates with GCSEs/S grades or appropriate BTEC/SQA or other certificates/diplomas or to holders of Private Pilots Licences who have 700 hours flying experience. Training lasts up to 15 months and consists of courses of study and flying instruction. Airlines may have additional age and height requirements. Air traffic controllers training lasts 74 weeks including study and practical experience. Entrants must be 18 to hold a Student Licence and 21 for a full air traffic controller licence awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority. Normal colour vision is required for pilots and air traffic controllers and candidates also undergo a medical examination.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3511
Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an aircraft pilot or air traffic controller?
Yes. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an aircraft pilot or air traffic controller (SOC 3511) 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 3511 (Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers) is Higher Skilled (RQF level 6 or above) and is listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations with a going rate of £80,400 a year (£41.23 an hour). Under points option A the salary must also be at least £41,700 a year.
What is SOC code 3511?
3511 is the SOC 2020 code for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers. Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers navigate and pilot aircraft, prepare flight plans, authorise flight departures and arrivals, maintain radio, radar and/or visual contact with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of air traffic, check, regulate, adjust and test engines and other equipment prior to take-off and give flying lessons.
What is the going rate for SOC code 3511?
Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £80,400 a year (£41.23 an hour) for 3511, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 3511?
GOV.UK lists: Airline pilots, Air traffic controllers, Flying instructors, Helicopter pilots, Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers 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)
- 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.