Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a dental nurse?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a dental nurse (SOC 6133). 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
- 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
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 6133 (Dental nurses) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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 | Dental nurses |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | National pay scale (see below) |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 3a |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 6143 |
| SOC 2020 group | 61 Caring personal service occupations › 613 Caring personal services |
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 6133
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 6133
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Dental nurses
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Dental assistant
- Dental nurse
- Dental nurse-receptionist
- Dental surgery assistant
What the job involves
Dental nurses prepare patients for, and assist with, dental examinations, prepare and sterilise instruments and maintain case records.
Typical tasks
- Prepares patient for examination
- Prepares and sterilises instruments and follows guidelines to maintain sterile conditions within the surgery
- Hands required equipment and medication to dentist during examination
- Assists with minor treatment, such as preparing materials for fillings
- Removes water and saliva from patient’s mouth during treatment
- Maintains records, processes and mounts x-ray films and undertakes reception duties
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry is most common with GCSEs/S grades. Training is available both Off and on-the-job. To become a registered dental nurse, entrants need to complete a course recognised by the General Dental Council.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 6133
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a dental nurse?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a dental nurse (SOC 6133). 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 6133 (Dental nurses) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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 6133?
6133 is the SOC 2020 code for Dental nurses. Dental nurses prepare patients for, and assist with, dental examinations, prepare and sterilise instruments and maintain case records.
What job titles use SOC code 6133?
GOV.UK lists: Dental nurses.
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.