3512SOC 2020 · 3 · 35 · 351Medium Skilled · Table 1a

Ship and hovercraft officers: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 3512

Medium Skilled Temporary Shortage List

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

Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a ship or hovercraft officer?

Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a ship or hovercraft officer (SOC 3512) 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 £58,300 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 surchargeusually £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

  1. Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (3512).
  2. Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
  3. Prove your English and get your documents ready (documents list).
  4. Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. You'll pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
  5. 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 3512 (Ship and hovercraft officers) 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.
Key facts for SOC 3512
OccupationShip and hovercraft officers
Skilled Worker eligibilityMedium Skilled
Going rate£58,300 a year (£29.90 an hour)T1a
Appendix table(s)Table 1a, Table 2aa
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListYes, certificate of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026Ship and hovercraft officers
Eligible for PhD pointsNo
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)3513
SOC 2020 group35 Business and public service associate professionals › 351 Transport associate professionals

Going rates for 3512 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. £58,300
£29.90/hr		n/an/a£40,800
£20.92/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. £39,100
£20.05/hr		n/an/a£27,300
£14.00/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 3512

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£58,300 (100%) £58,300
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£40,800 (70%) £40,800
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2aa)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£39,100 (100%) £39,100
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£27,300 (70%) £27,300

Rule changes that named 3512

Job titles under SOC 3512

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Ship and hovercraft captains and deck officers (excludes armed forces and fishing)
  • Marine engineers
  • Ship and hovercraft officers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
  • Chief engineer (shipping)
  • Marine engineer (shipping)
  • Merchant navy officer
  • Petty officer
  • Tug master
  • Yacht skipper

What the job involves

Ship and hovercraft officers command and navigate ships and other craft, co-ordinate the activities of officers and deck and engine room ratings, operate and maintain communications equipment on board ship and undertake minor repairs to engines, boilers and other mechanical and electrical equipment.

Typical tasks

  • Allocates duties to ship’s officers and co-ordinates and directs the activities of deck and engine room ratings
  • Directs or undertakes the operation of controls to inflate air cushions, run engines and propel and steer ships, hovercraft and other vessels
  • Locates the position of vessel using electronic and other navigational aids such as charts and compasses and advises on navigation where appropriate
  • Monitors the operation of engines, generators and other mechanical and electrical equipment and undertakes any necessary minor repairs
  • Maintains radio contact with other vessels and coast stations
  • Prepares watch keeping rota and maintains a look-out for other vessels or obstacles
  • Maintains log of vessel’s progress, weather conditions, conduct of crew, etc

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades. Good colour vision without spectacles or contact lenses is required for some posts and candidates must undergo a medical examination. Training lasts three to four years and combines taught courses and assessed training at sea.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 3512

Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a ship or hovercraft officer?

Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a ship or hovercraft officer (SOC 3512) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 3512 (Ship and hovercraft officers) 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 3512?

3512 is the SOC 2020 code for Ship and hovercraft officers. Ship and hovercraft officers command and navigate ships and other craft, co-ordinate the activities of officers and deck and engine room ratings, operate and maintain communications equipment on board ship and undertake minor repairs to engines, boilers and other mechanical and electrical equipment.

What is the going rate for SOC code 3512?

Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £58,300 a year (£29.90 an hour) for 3512, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

Is 3512 on the Temporary Shortage List?

Yes, for ship and hovercraft officers. It applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.

What job titles use SOC code 3512?

GOV.UK lists: Ship and hovercraft captains and deck officers (excludes armed forces and fishing), Marine engineers, Ship and hovercraft officers 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.