Veterinarians SOC 2240
Veterinarians (SOC 2240, also written as job code 2240) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £49,500 per year. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
Not sure if SOC 2240 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 2240What does a veterinarian do?
Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal injuries, diseases and disorders, and advise on preventative action. They may work in practices, specialising according to their location in either a rural or urban area, or in the public sector or associated industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production or drug regulation.
Typical tasks
- examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests
- inoculates animals against communicable diseases
- administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery
- investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care
- euthanises old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals
- performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products
- performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations
- carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students
- maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants will require a university degree in veterinary science and registration as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Pre-entry experience in a veterinary practice may be required for entry to a university veterinary school.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What veterinarians earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most veterinarians in the UK earn between £39,572 and ~£66,716 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £49,500 (SOC 2240), sitting at the 43rd percentile of what UK employers pay and £3,644 below the median.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
How to get sponsored as a veterinarian
- 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 veterinarians, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £49,500 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 2240 (£49,500) 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 £34,600 per year for up to 4 years.
Continuously sponsored as a Skilled Worker since before 4 April 2024? Lower thresholds apply: £38,000 standard, or £26,600 as a new entrant.
Roles under SOC 2240
Recent jobs under SOC 2240
Frequently asked questions
Can veterinarians get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Veterinarians roles fall under SOC 2240 (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 is job code 2240?
Job code 2240, SOC code 2240 and occupation code 2240 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering veterinarians. 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.
What salary do veterinarians need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Veterinarians (SOC 2240) is £49,500 (£25.38 per hour). Occupation rate 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 2240?
SOC 2240 covers a range of veterinarians roles, including: Veterinarians. 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 veterinarians roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, a PhD student, or switching from a Student or Graduate visa, you count as a "new entrant". For Veterinarians (SOC 2240) the new entrant minimum is £34,600 per year, based on the Home Office's published lower going rate and the £33,400 new entrant threshold. The discount lasts up to 4 years in total.
Where can I find veterinarians jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Veterinarians 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.