IT quality and testing professionals SOC 2136
IT quality and testing professionals (SOC 2136) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £41,200 per year. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does an it quality and testing professional do?
IT quality and testing professionals test the quality of IT software, systems and computer games and identify and recommend solutions to problems and improvements that could be made.
Typical tasks
- undertakes the testing of software, systems or computer games for errors, identifies source of problems and proposes solutions
- develops, implements and documents test plans for IT software, systems and computer games
- develops quality standards and validation techniques
- makes recommendations concerning software/system quality
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification, although entry with other academic qualifications and/or significant relevant experience is possible. There is a variety of relevant vocational, professional and postgraduate qualifications available.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What IT quality and testing professionals earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most IT quality and testing professionals in the UK earn between £36,972 and £54,860 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £41,200 (SOC 2136), sitting at the 37th percentile of what UK employers pay and £4,456 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.
How to get sponsored as an it quality and testing professional
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring it quality and testing professionals, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £41,200 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 2136 (£41,200) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £34,500 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 2136
Recent jobs under SOC 2136
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About Us At 118 118 Money we are dedicated to helping Britain achieve financial fitness. In 2023 we relaunched the iconic 118 118 twins which reinforced our commitment to improving the financial fitness of people across the country. Our loans and credit cards are designed for those who are often overlooked by mainstream lenders and we have supported more than 800,000 customers on their journey to better financial wellbeing. We are building on this mission with the launch of 118M8, our new financ
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (213xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can it quality and testing professionals get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. IT quality and testing professionals roles fall under SOC 2136 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.
What salary do it quality and testing professionals need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for IT quality and testing professionals (SOC 2136) is £41,700 (£21.38 per hour). Standard minimum applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 2136?
SOC 2136 covers a range of it quality and testing professionals roles, including: IT quality and testing professionals. 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.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering it quality and testing professionals roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For IT quality and testing professionals, that works out to £34,500. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find it quality and testing professionals jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list IT quality and testing professionals roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
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.