SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification)

In This Article

• What is an SOC code?
• Why SOC codes matter for UK visa sponsorship
• How to find the right SOC code for your job
• SOC 2010 vs SOC 2020
• Minimum salaries by SOC code
• 2025/2026 updates
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Frequently asked questions
• Related terms

What is an SOC Code?

SOC stands for Standard Occupational Classification. It's a system used by the UK government — and most English-speaking countries — to group jobs with similar characteristics into a common hierarchy. The four-digit codes run from broad major groups (first digit) down to specific unit groups (all four digits).

For example:

• 2135 — IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers
• 2136 — Programmers and Software Development Professionals
• 3545 — Sales Accounts and Business Development Managers

In everyday employment, most people never encounter their SOC code. In UK immigration, it is one of the most consequential numbers in the entire sponsorship process.

Why SOC Codes Matter for UK Visa Sponsorship

When an employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship, they must select an SOC code that matches the job. The Home Office uses this code to:

1. Check skill eligibility — Only roles at or above RQF Level 6 (from July 2025) are eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship. The SOC code is mapped to an RQF level, so the wrong code can make an otherwise valid job ineligible.
2. Set the minimum salary — Each SOC code has an associated "going rate" salary, derived from Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. The worker must be paid at least this rate (or the general £41,700 threshold, whichever is higher).
3. Determine if the Immigration Salary List discount applies — Certain SOC codes appear on the Immigration Salary List, enabling a 20% salary reduction.

How to Find the Right SOC Code for Your Job

The Home Office publishes an Appendix Skilled Occupations that lists every eligible SOC code along with its going rate and whether it appears on the Immigration Salary List.

To identify the correct code:

1. Look up the job title in the ONS's SOC 2020 occupation search tool.
2. Check the matched code appears in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
3. Verify the going rate against the proposed salary.
4. If multiple codes could apply, choose the one that most accurately reflects the day-to-day duties — not just the job title.

The match should be based on job duties, not the title given to the role. A "Senior Associate" at a consulting firm might map to a strategy or IT code depending on what they actually do.

SOC 2010 vs SOC 2020

The UK moved from SOC 2010 to SOC 2020 in January 2021, and the Home Office updated its immigration rules accordingly. All new CoS applications from January 2021 must use SOC 2020 codes.

Key differences:

• SOC 2020 has more granular sub-categories for digital and technology roles.
• Some SOC 2010 codes merged; others split into two.
• Going rates were recalibrated when SOC 2020 was introduced.

Use our UK Visa Occupation Eligibility tool to look up whether your role's SOC code currently qualifies for sponsorship.

Minimum Salaries by SOC Code

Every eligible SOC code has two salary thresholds to satisfy:

The worker must be paid the higher of the general threshold or the going rate. For some high-demand roles (e.g., specialist doctors, senior engineers), the going rate exceeds £41,700.

Use our UK Visa Occupation Eligibility tool to look up the exact going rate for any specific SOC code instantly.

2025/2026 Updates

From 22 July 2025, the skill threshold was raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6. This removed roughly 180 SOC codes from eligibility — including many trades, technician roles, and care worker categories. Sponsors currently using these codes for existing workers can continue until renewal, but cannot issue new CoS for them.

The going rates for all SOC codes were also updated in April 2024 using the latest ASHE data, raising minimum salaries across the board.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a code based on job title rather than duties. UKVI caseworkers check the job description against the SOC code. Mismatches trigger refusals.
• Using a discontinued SOC 2010 code. Always check you're using the correct SOC 2020 code.
• Assuming a higher code means better eligibility. Going rates vary; a senior role's code may have a higher minimum salary that the proposed package doesn't meet.
• Not checking the Appendix. Not every SOC code is on the eligible list — some exist in the ONS classification but are excluded from immigration rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides which SOC code applies to a job — the employer or UKVI?

The employer selects the code and records it on the CoS. UKVI then assesses whether that code accurately matches the job duties described. If UKVI disagrees with the employer's choice, the visa can be refused.

Can two jobs with the same title have different SOC codes?

Yes. Job titles are not standardised. A "Data Analyst" at one company may do work that maps to code 2137 (Database Administrators and Data Scientists) while at another it maps to 3539 (Business Associate Professionals). Duties, not titles, determine the code.

What happens if the wrong SOC code is used on a CoS?

The visa application will likely be refused. The employer would need to issue a new CoS with the correct code, and the worker would need to reapply — incurring new fees and delays.

Does an SOC code affect how long the visa is granted for?

Not directly. The visa duration is primarily based on the CoS start/end date. However, if the SOC code makes a role ineligible, the visa won't be granted at all.

Related Terms

• Going Rate
• RQF Level
• Immigration Salary List
• Certificate of Sponsorship

Use our occupation eligibility tool or search for jobs in your field. Find visa-sponsored roles →