Occupational therapists (SOC 2222, also written as job code 2222) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
Not sure if SOC 2222 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 2222Occupational therapists work with people who have a physical or learning disability or mental illness, actively engaging them in purposeful activities in order to maximise self-confidence, independent functioning and well-being.
Entrants usually possess A levels/H grades, an HND/HNC, a BTEC/SQA award or equivalent qualifications followed by training on an approved degree scheme necessary for state registration as an occupational therapist. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years to enter training.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most occupational therapists in the UK earn between £37,232 and £48,620 in basic pay.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring occupational therapists, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsorsOccupational therapists roles follow the NHS national pay scale. Your employer must pay at least the Agenda for Change rate set by the Home Office for this occupation code, not the general £41,700 Skilled Worker threshold.
See NHS pay scalesYour 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.
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.ukTravel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
Yes. Occupational therapists roles fall under SOC 2222 (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.
Job code 2222, SOC code 2222 and occupation code 2222 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering occupational therapists. 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.
Occupational therapists roles (SOC 2222) follow the NHS national pay scale rather than a fixed going rate. The minimum salary depends on your Agenda for Change pay band. Check the government's Agenda for Change guidance for your grade.
SOC 2222 covers a range of occupational therapists roles, including: Occupational therapists. 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.
We list Occupational therapists 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.