Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified. (SOC 1259, also written as job code 1259) does not currently qualify for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. It is classified as medium skilled and would need to be added to the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage Occupation List before employers could sponsor for it. There are closely related roles that do qualify, listed further down.
Not sure if SOC 1259 applies to your situation?
The answer above is the general rule. Your case can be different if you already hold a visa and are extending or switching, if you were sponsored before a rule change, or depending on your salary. Our AI assistant can explain the full rules from gov.uk guidance.
Ask AI about SOC 1259Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of managerial tasks in other service industries not elsewhere classified in minor group 125: Managers and proprietors in other services.
Entry requirements vary according to the particular company and/or service. Some companies do not require candidates to have academic qualifications, but others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most managers and proprietors in other services n.e.c. in the UK earn between £35,672 and £63,908 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £41,400 (SOC 1259), sitting at the 39th percentile of what UK employers pay and £4,776 below the median. Since this falls below the general salary threshold, sponsors must pay at least £41,700.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
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SOC 1259 is classified as medium skilled but does not currently appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, so it's not currently eligible for new sponsorship.
If you're interested in this field, you have a few options:
SOC 1259 doesn't qualify, but these related occupations do:
Not under SOC 1259. Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified. is classified as Medium Skilled, which doesn't meet the requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship right now. That said, some closely related occupation codes in the same field are eligible, so have a look at the related codes section on this page.
Job code 1259, SOC code 1259 and occupation code 1259 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified.. The Home Office uses this 4-digit code on a Certificate of Sponsorship to check Skilled Worker visa eligibility and to set the going rate salary threshold for the role.
SOC 1259 covers a range of managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified. roles, including: Cleaning and hygiene services managers and proprietors, Educational establishment managers and proprietors, Funeral services and crematorium managers and proprietors, Library managers, Recruitment agency managers and proprietors, Security services managers and proprietors, and 1 more. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
SOC 1259 itself doesn't qualify, but that doesn't mean you're out of options. The most common workaround is finding a closely related role that falls under an eligible SOC code. We've listed any eligible alternatives further up this page. It's also worth looking into visa routes that aren't tied to a specific occupation, like the Global Talent visa, Graduate visa, or High Potential Individual visa.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.