Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a nursing auxiliary or assistant?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nursing auxiliary or assistant (SOC 6131) 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 that meets the NHS or teacher pay scale for your role, and is at least £25,000 a year (see the pay scales)
- 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
- a criminal record certificate, if you're applying from outside the UK
This job can also use the Health and Care Worker visa.
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 surcharge | usually £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
- Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (6131).
- 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 6131 (Nursing auxiliaries and assistants) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. It is listed in Table 3a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT3a · 29 Oct 26: health and education jobs at RQF 3–5. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Nursing auxiliaries and assistants |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | National pay scale (see below) |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 3a |
| Immigration Salary List | Yes, until 31 December 2026All jobs. Note: For Skilled Worker purposes, SOC 2020 occupation code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist. (all UK) |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 5431, 6141 |
| SOC 2020 group | 61 Caring personal service occupations › 613 Caring personal services |
Conditions attached to 6131
Appendix Skilled Occupations attaches these conditions to this code:
- Note: For Skilled Worker purposes, SOC 2020 occupation code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist. (Table 3a)
Agenda for Change pay bands (Table 4)
| Band | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 3 | £24,071 | £26,869 | £24,433 | £22,816 |
| Band 4 | £26,530 | £29,116 | £26,928 | £25,147 |
| Band 5 | £29,970 | £31,892 | £30,420 | £28,407 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £39,912 | £37,898 | £35,392 |
| Band 7 | £46,148 | £48,788 | £46,840 | £43,742 |
| Band 8a | £53,755 | £60,126 | £54,550 | £50,952 |
| Band 8b | £62,215 | £70,986 | £63,150 | £58,972 |
| Band 8c | £74,290 | £83,837 | £75,405 | £70,417 |
| Band 8d | £88,168 | £99,534 | £89,491 | £83,571 |
| Band 9 | £105,385 | £117,732 | £106,967 | £99,891 |
Band 1 and band 2 jobs are not eligible to be sponsored. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, band 3 and band 4 jobs can only be sponsored for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously (Table 4 notes).
Rule changes that named 6131
- HC 1333: Skilled Worker and work route changes laid on 14 October 2025 (14 October 2025)
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 6131
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Blood donor carers and phlebotomists
- First aid trainers
- Maternity care assistants
- Occupational therapy assistants
- Physiotherapy assistants
- Radiography assistants
- Speech and language therapy assistants
- Sterile services assistants
- Theatre assistants (excludes entertainment)
- Nursing auxiliaries and assistants not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Auxiliary nurse
- Health care assistant (hospital service)
- Health care support worker
- Nursing assistant
- Nursing auxiliary
What the job involves
Nursing auxiliaries and assistants assist doctors, nurses and other health professionals in caring for the sick and injured within hospitals, homes, clinics and the wider community.
Typical tasks
- Performs basic clinical tasks such as taking patients’ temperature and pulse, weighing and measuring, performing urine tests and extracting blood samples
- Prepares patient for examination and treatment
- Distributes and serves food, assists patients in feeding and prepares snacks and hot drinks
- Assists patients in washing, dressing, toiletry activities and general mobility
- Changes bed linen, makes beds and tidies wards
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Off and on-the-job training is provided. NVQs/ SVQs in Health and Social Care are available at levels 2 and 3.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 6131
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a nursing auxiliary or assistant?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a nursing auxiliary or assistant (SOC 6131) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 6131 (Nursing auxiliaries and assistants) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Immigration Salary List. It is listed in Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: health and education jobs at RQF 3–5. Except for 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously.
What is SOC code 6131?
6131 is the SOC 2020 code for Nursing auxiliaries and assistants. Nursing auxiliaries and assistants assist doctors, nurses and other health professionals in caring for the sick and injured within hospitals, homes, clinics and the wider community.
Is 6131 on the Immigration Salary List?
Yes. All jobs. Note: For Skilled Worker purposes, SOC 2020 occupation code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist. in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The list states a removal date of 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 6131?
GOV.UK lists: Blood donor carers and phlebotomists, First aid trainers, Maternity care assistants, Occupational therapy assistants, Physiotherapy assistants, Radiography assistants, Speech and language therapy assistants, Sterile services assistants, Theatre assistants (excludes entertainment), Nursing auxiliaries and assistants 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 Immigration Salary List (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.