6129SOC 2020 · 6 · 61 · 612Medium Skilled · Table 1a

Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 6129

Medium Skilled Immigration Salary List

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

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified”?

Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified” (SOC 6129) 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. This job comes off the Immigration Salary List on 31 December 2026.

How much it costs

Visa fee£628 for up to 3 years
£1,235 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 £628 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,733 in total. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. The lower fee applies because the job is on the Immigration Salary List. 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 (6129).
  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 6129 (Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. 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 6129
OccupationAnimal care services occupations not elsewhere classified
Skilled Worker eligibilityMedium Skilled
Going rate£33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour)T1a
Appendix table(s)Table 1a, Table 2aa
Immigration Salary ListYes, until 31 December 2026Only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders. (all UK)
Temporary Shortage ListNo
Eligible for PhD pointsNo
Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s)6139
SOC 2020 group61 Caring personal service occupations › 612 Animal care and control services

Going rates for 6129 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. £33,400
£17.13/hr		n/an/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. £25,000
£12.82/hr		n/an/a£25,000
£12.82/hr

Salary thresholds that apply to 6129

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£33,400 (100%) £41,700
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 £33,400£33,400 (100%) £33,400
EThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £33,400£33,400 (70%) £33,400
Options F–J (going rates from Table 2aa)
OptionConditionGeneral thresholdGoing-rate figureHigher of the two
FStandard £31,300£25,000 (100%) £31,300
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 £25,000£25,000 (100%) £25,000
JThe applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career £25,000£25,000 (70%) £25,000

Rule changes that named 6129

Job titles under SOC 6129

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Animal boarding assistants
  • Animal breeders
  • Animal groomers
  • Animal trainers (excludes performing animals)
  • Animal walkers
  • Animal welfare workers
  • Stable workers
  • Veterinary assistants
  • Zookeepers
  • Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
  • Animal technician
  • Canine beautician
  • Dog walker
  • Groom
  • Kennel assistant
  • Stable hand
  • Veterinary nursing assistant

What the job involves

Job holders in this unit group care for animals held in kennels, stables, zoos and similar establishments, provide specialised training, grooming, clipping and trimming services for animals, and searches for and captures stray or nuisance dogs in public areas and perform a variety of animal care tasks not elsewhere classified in minor group 612: Animal care and control services.

Typical tasks

  • Feeds, washes, grooms, trims and exercises animals
  • Cleans animals’ quarters and renews bedding as necessary
  • Houses, feeds, exercises, trains, grooms horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events
  • Checks animals for illness, treats minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required
  • Meets prospective owners and advises on animal selection and animal care
  • Patrols public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transports captured animals to kennels
  • Work alongside veterinary surgeons and nurses to provide vital nursing care to ensure the wellbeing of animal patients

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entry is possible without formal academic qualifications, although some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades. There is a variety of vocational qualifications available, including NVQs/SVQs in Animal Care at levels 1 and 2, in Dog Grooming at levels 2 and 3, and BTEC qualifications and apprenticeships relating to Horse Care.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 6129

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified”?

Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified” (SOC 6129) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 6129 (Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. 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 6129?

6129 is the SOC 2020 code for Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified. Job holders in this unit group care for animals held in kennels, stables, zoos and similar establishments, provide specialised training, grooming, clipping and trimming services for animals, and searches for and captures stray or nuisance dogs in public areas and perform a variety of animal care tasks not elsewhere classified in minor group 612: Animal care and control services.

What is the going rate for SOC code 6129?

Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 6129, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.

Is 6129 on the Immigration Salary List?

Yes. Only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders. in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The list states a removal date of 31 December 2026.

What job titles use SOC code 6129?

GOV.UK lists: Animal boarding assistants, Animal breeders, Animal groomers, Animal trainers (excludes performing animals), Animal walkers, Animal welfare workers, Stable workers, Veterinary assistants, Zookeepers, Animal care services occupations 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.