Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nanny or au pair?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nanny or au pair (SOC 6116). It is only open to people who have had a Skilled Worker visa without a break since before 4 April 2024, applying before 4 April 2030 to stay with the same employer.
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 6116 (Nannies and au pairs) is Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only (Below RQF level 3). It is listed in Table 2a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT2a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Nannies and au pairs |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only |
| Going rate | £31,300 a year (£16.05 an hour)T2a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 2a, Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 6122 |
| SOC 2020 group | 61 Caring personal service occupations › 611 Teaching and childcare support occupations |
Going rates for 6116 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 2aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission. | £31,300 £16.05/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 6116
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £31,300 (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 6116
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Au pairs
- Nannies
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (2)
- Au pair
- Nanny
What the job involves
Nannies and au pairs care for and supervise babies and young children in the homes of the children's families.
Typical tasks
- Cares for children and babies and participates in their daily activities
- Assists children to wash and dress
- Changes babies’ nappies and clothes as necessary and makes up bottles for feeds
- Mends, washes and irons children’s clothes and tidies their rooms
- Organises activities and opportunities to socialise with other children
- Takes children to school and other appointments
- Helps develop child's learning, such as basic social skills
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry does not depend upon academic qualifications but a qualification in childcare and/or relevant experience may be useful. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A minimum age limit of 18 years applies, and a DBS check is mandatory. Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted but can become a part of the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 6116
Can you get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nanny or au pair?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nanny or au pair (SOC 6116). It is only open to people who have had a Skilled Worker visa without a break since before 4 April 2024, applying before 4 April 2030 to stay with the same employer. SOC 2020 code 6116 (Nannies and au pairs) is Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only (Below RQF level 3). It is listed in Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission.
What is SOC code 6116?
6116 is the SOC 2020 code for Nannies and au pairs. Nannies and au pairs care for and supervise babies and young children in the homes of the children's families.
What is the going rate for SOC code 6116?
Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £31,300 a year (£16.05 an hour) for 6116, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 6116?
GOV.UK lists: Au pairs, Nannies.
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.