Authors, writers and translators SOC 3412
Authors, writers and translators (SOC 3412) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £36,100 per year. This role is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, so you may qualify with a lower salary and get extra points. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does an authors, writers and translator do?
Authors, writers and translators write, edit and evaluate literary material for publication excluding material for newspapers, magazines and other periodicals but including scripts and narrative for film, TV, radio and computer games and animations; and translate spoken and written statements into different languages.
Typical tasks
- determines subject matter and researches as necessary by interviewing, attending public events, seeking out records, observing etc.
- generates and develops creative ideas for literary material
- selects material for publication, checks style, grammar and accuracy of content, arranges for any necessary revisions and checks proof copies before printing
- negotiates contracts with freelance agents and with buyer on behalf of writer
- writes instruction manuals and user guides, technical reports, catalogues and indexes, prepares sales literature and writes technical articles for trade journals
- converts documents or spoken statements from original or source language into another language
- provides communication support for the hard of hearing or the visually impaired
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Postgraduate and professional qualifications are available and are required for some occupations.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What authors, writers and translators earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most authors, writers and translators in the UK earn between £32,500 and £45,864 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £36,100 (SOC 3412), sitting at the 40th percentile of what UK employers pay and £2,380 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 authors, writers and translator
- 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 authors, writers and translators, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £36,100 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 3412 (£36,100) 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 £29,800 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 3412
Recent jobs under SOC 3412
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (341xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can authors, writers and translators get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Authors, writers and translators roles fall under SOC 3412 (Medium 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. This role is also on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which can mean a lower salary bar.
What salary do authors, writers and translators need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Authors, writers and translators (SOC 3412) 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 3412?
SOC 3412 covers a range of authors, writers and translators roles, including: Authors, Bloggers, Copywriters, Literary editors, Poets, Script writers, and 3 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.
What does the Shortage Occupation List mean for authors, writers and translators?
Authors, writers and translators (SOC 3412) is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which recognises a UK labour shortage in this field. In practice that means a lower salary threshold, plus extra "tradeable" points on your visa application. The Home Office lets shortage status stand in for a higher salary.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering authors, writers and translators 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 Authors, writers and translators, that works out to £29,800. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find authors, writers and translators jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Authors, writers and translators 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.