SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification)
SOC codes are four-digit numbers that classify every UK job into a standardised occupational category. For visa purposes, your SOC code determines whether a role qualifies for Skilled Worker sponsorship and sets the minimum salary the worker must be paid.
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 the UK government uses to group jobs with similar characteristics into a four-digit hierarchy, from broad major groups (first digit) down to specific unit groups (all four digits). Most English-speaking countries use something similar.
A few examples: 2135 covers IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers. 2136 covers Programmers and Software Development Professionals. 3545 covers Sales Accounts and Business Development Managers.
Most people never think about their SOC code. If you're applying for a Skilled Worker visa, it becomes one of the most consequential numbers in the 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:
- Check skill eligibility. Only roles at or above RQF Level 6 (from July 2025) qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship. Each SOC code maps to an RQF level, so the wrong code can make an otherwise valid job ineligible.
- 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.
- Determine if a salary discount applies. Certain SOC codes appear on the Immigration Salary List, which allows 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:
- Look up the job title in the ONS's SOC 2020 occupation search tool.
- Check the matched code appears in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
- Verify the going rate against the proposed salary.
- If multiple codes could apply, pick the one that best reflects the day-to-day duties, not just the job title.
What matters is what you actually do day-to-day, not what your contract calls the role. A "Senior Associate" at a consulting firm might map to a strategy code or an IT code depending on their real duties.
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.
The main changes: SOC 2020 introduced more granular sub-categories for digital and technology roles, merged some older codes, and split others into two. Going rates were recalibrated at the same time.
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:
| Threshold | Amount (from April 2024) |
|---|---|
| General threshold | £41,700 per year |
| Going rate for the SOC code | Varies by occupation |
| Universal hourly minimum | £17.13/hour (max 48 hrs/week) |
The worker must be paid the higher of the general threshold or the going rate. For roles like specialist doctors or senior engineers, the going rate already exceeds £41,700.
Look up the exact going rate for any SOC code with our UK Visa Occupation Eligibility tool.
2025/2026 Updates
From 22 July 2025, the skill threshold rose from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6. This knocked roughly 180 SOC codes off the eligible list, covering many trades, technician roles, and care worker categories. Sponsors who already have workers under these codes can keep them until renewal but cannot issue new CoS.
Going rates for all SOC codes were also updated in April 2024 using the latest ASHE data. Minimum salaries went up across the board.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is choosing a code based on the job title rather than the actual duties. UKVI caseworkers compare the job description against the code, and mismatches trigger refusals. Another frequent problem: using an old SOC 2010 code instead of the current SOC 2020 equivalent.
People also assume that a "higher" or more senior-sounding code improves eligibility. It doesn't. Going rates vary, and a senior role's code may carry a minimum salary the proposed package can't meet. Finally, always check the Appendix. Not every SOC code qualifies; some exist in the ONS classification but are excluded from immigration rules entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which SOC code applies to a job — the employer or UKVI?
Your employer picks the code when they create the CoS. But UKVI reviews it against the actual job duties. If they think the code doesn't match what you'll be doing, the application gets refused.
Can two jobs with the same title have different SOC codes?
Absolutely. "Data Analyst" at one company might fall under 2137, while the same title elsewhere maps to 3539. The duties drive the classification, not the title on your offer letter.
What happens if the wrong SOC code is used on a CoS?
Expect a refusal. The employer has to issue a fresh CoS with the correct code, and you reapply from scratch, paying the fees again.
Does an SOC code affect how long the visa is granted for?
No. Visa duration follows the CoS dates. That said, if the SOC code makes the role ineligible, you won't get a visa at all.
Related Terms
Not sure if your role qualifies? Check occupation eligibility →