Head teachers and principals (SOC 2321, also written as job code 2321) 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 2321 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 2321Head teachers and principals plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the running of schools, colleges and other educational establishments.
Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification and have gained significant relevant experience in the field of education. Specialist training courses to become a head teacher are available. A DBS check may be required.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most head teachers and principals in the UK earn between £63,752 and £86,476 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 head teachers and principals, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsorsHead teachers and principals roles follow the national teacher and education pay scale. Your employer must pay at least the grade-specific rate set by the Home Office for this occupation code, not the general £41,700 Skilled Worker threshold.
See education 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.
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (232xx):
Yes. Head teachers and principals roles fall under SOC 2321 (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 2321, SOC code 2321 and occupation code 2321 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering head teachers and principals. 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.
Head teachers and principals roles (SOC 2321) follow the national education pay scale rather than a fixed going rate. The minimum salary depends on your grade within the pay framework. Check the government's education pay-scale guidance.
SOC 2321 covers a range of head teachers and principals roles, including: Heads of further education establishments, Heads of higher education establishments, Heads of nursery schools, Heads of primary schools, Heads of secondary schools and sixth form colleges, Heads of special needs education schools, 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.
We list Head teachers and principals 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.