Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an importer or exporter?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an importer or exporter (SOC 3542). 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 3542 (Importers and exporters) 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.| Occupation | Importers and exporters |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £35,700 a year (£18.31 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3536 |
| SOC 2020 group | 35 Business and public service associate professionals › 354 Business associate professionals |
Going rates for 3542 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. | £35,700 £18.31/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. | £29,800 £15.28/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3542
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 | £35,700 (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 | £29,800 (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 |
Job titles under SOC 3542
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Importers and exporters
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Export coordinator
- Exporter
- Import agent
- Importer
- Shipping agent
What the job involves
Importers and exporters buy commodities from overseas for the home market and sell home-produced commodities to overseas markets.
Typical tasks
- Investigates and evaluates home and overseas demand for commodities
- Obtains orders from buyers and arranges payment by bill of exchange, letter of credit or other means
- Arranges for shipment of commodities overseas and ensures that insurance and export licences are in order
- Carries out customs clearance procedures for imports, arranges their storage and delivery and sells them personally or through a commodity broker
- Advises home and overseas producers on the likely future demand for their goods
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry does not depend on academic qualifications although some employers require candidates to have a degree or equivalent qualification. Some posts require candidates to have knowledge of a foreign language. Professional qualifications are available. Entrance to professional examinations requires GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades or equivalent qualifications.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3542
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an importer or exporter?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an importer or exporter (SOC 3542). 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 3542 (Importers and exporters) 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 3542?
3542 is the SOC 2020 code for Importers and exporters. Importers and exporters buy commodities from overseas for the home market and sell home-produced commodities to overseas markets.
What is the going rate for SOC code 3542?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £35,700 a year (£18.31 an hour) for 3542, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 3542?
GOV.UK lists: Importers and exporters.
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.