Skilled Worker Visa UK Occupation List Explained: Human-Friendly Breakdown of Roles, SOC Codes & Employer Requirements

If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker Visa UK, the Appendix Skilled Occupations list is your roadmap to eligibility—but its multiple tables, codes and “going rates” can feel overwhelming at first glance. This detailed guide unpacks every element: from the different tables (for RQF levels 6+, 3–5 and shortage roles) through SOC-code anatomy, to practical tips on evidence-gathering and common pitfalls to avoid.

1. Anatomy of the Appendix Skilled Occupations

UKVI’s Appendix is now structured into separate tables based on skill level and sector, following the 9 April 2025 update:

• Table 1: Occupations at RQF Level 6+ (graduate-level and above)
• Table 1a: Occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 (A-level to diploma equivalents)
• Table 2 / 2aa: Shortage occupation equivalents for Tables 1/1a
• Table 3 / 3a: Health & Education roles at RQF 6+ / 3–5
• Table 4: Agenda for Change rates (Scotland-only healthcare) assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

Each table lists:

1. SOC code (four digits, as per SOC 2020)
2. Occupational title matching exactly on your Certificate of Sponsorship
3. Going rate (median ASHE-derived annual salary)
4. Shortage-occupation flag (for Tables 2/2aa)

Feel free to visit the official government website. 

2. Decoding the SOC Code Structure

Every eligible occupation is identified by a four-digit SOC 2020 code. Here’s how it breaks down:

Tip: Use the “find” (Ctrl + F) function in the PDF on GOV.UK to jump straight to your job title or keyword.

3. Table Breakdown & Representative Roles

Table 1: RQF Level 6+ Occupations

…plus dozens more in engineering, finance, legal and scientific fields.

Table 1a: RQF Levels 3–5 Occupations

Includes skilled technicians, paraprofessionals and teaching assistants. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

Call-out: Graduate Trainee Roles
A growing number of UK employers now use SOC 1561 and 1562 for structured graduate schemes.

These codes carry RQF 6+ status but have bespoke “typical duties” and salary benchmarks—check your sponsor’s scheme details carefully.

Tables 2 / 2aa: Shortage Occupations

Mirror Tables 1/1a but flagged for shortage, allowing lower salary thresholds (currently 80 % of going rate, minimum £20,960).

Tables 3 / 3a: Health & Education Specialists

Dedicated lists for nurses, midwives, paramedics, etc., with their own going-rate structure and shortage flags.

Table 4: Scotland-Only Agenda for Change Roles

Covers NHS-specific pay scales in Scotland across bands 5–8.

4. Why the Table You Choose Matters

• Salary requirement: Must meet either the general threshold (£26,200) or the going rate for your SOC code—or the reduced shortage rate if applicable.
• Skill threshold: RQF Level 3 + for Tables 1a/2aa/3a; RQF Level 6+ for Tables 1/2/3.
• Points test: Identifying the right table and salary confirms your points for “skilled job” and “salary.”

Reminder: UKVI publishes annual updates (usually in April). Always use the latest PDF before applying.

Appendix Update Timeline

• 1 April 2025: Major shortage list expansion (added key engineering and hospitality roles)
• Summer 2025 (expected): RQF threshold review for vocational occupations
• 1 April 2026: Next full annual update—watch for new codes and salary changes

Keep these dates in your diary to avoid surprises at CoS-issue time.

Understanding How Your SOC Code Earns You Points

Your SOC code doesn’t just qualify your job—it also feeds directly into the UK’s 70-point system:

Tip: If you qualify via a shortage occupation, you automatically get 20 points—regardless of meeting the general salary thresholds.

Expert voice: Salary varies depending on the individual. But as a general rule of thumb, an applicant’s salary must meet either the general threshold which applies to them (this varies) or the going rate for their SoC code, whichever is the highest of the two. This is unless there are transitional arrangements which apply to them. Therefore, it can be quite convoluted

Download Your Free SOC Code Cheat Sheet

Busy HR teams and applicants should appreciate the following: .
[Top 20 SOC Codes, Going Rates & Shortage FlagsTop 20 SOC Codes, Going Rates & Shortage Flags]
(It includes the most common roles, so you never scroll through 50 PDF pages again.)

5. Evidence & Documentation: What Sponsors Need

1. Job description
   • Must mirror the “typical duties” listed under your SOC code verbatim.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship
   • Title must exactly match the Appendix entry.
3. Salary evidence
   • Payslips or contract demonstrating the going-rate or shortage-rate salary.
4. Qualifications & experience
   • Declarations, transcripts, professional registrations.
5. Compliance audit trail
   • Advertisements, short-listing criteria and interview notes showing genuine recruitment.

Verify via online tool

1. Visit the UKVI Salary Checker (bookmark for quick access).
2. Enter your four-digit SOC code.
3. Compare the displayed “going rate” with your contract salary.
4. Adjust your Certificate of Sponsorship salary fields to match or exceed this figure.

Prepare evidence: Align contract, payslips and job advert to the verified going rate.

6. Case Study: Mapping a Role

Scenario:
Maria is a “Digital Marketing Specialist” hired by a UK tech start-up.

1. Search “marketing” in Table 1a → finds SOC 3534 “Marketing Assistants” and SOC 3565 “Marketing Specialist Professionals” in Table 1.
2. Matches duties: Content creation, SEO strategy, campaign analytics → aligns with SOC 3565.
3. Checks going rate: £38,000 → exceeds general threshold.
4. CoS entry: “Marketing Specialist Professionals (SOC 3565)”
5. Documents: Maria’s degree certificate in marketing, 3 years’ experience, job advert and contract.

Result: Certificate issued; visa granted on first submission.

Case Study 2: Part-Time Lab Technician

Scenario:
John works 25 hours/week as a Biotechnology Lab Technician. His duties straddle SOC 3211 (Science Technicians) and SOC 6119 (Care Workers).

Steps:

1. Identify primary code: 60 % of duties match SOC 3211 → choose 3211.
2. Pro-rata salary:
   • Full-time going rate: £29,000
   • Pro-rated (25/37.5 hours) = £19,333
   • Meets minimum shortage rate (£20,960)? No → must pay full pro-rated general rate (£20,933) or increase hours.
3. CoS title: “Science Technicians (SOC 3211)” with contract adjusted to ≥ £20,933/year pro-rated.
4. Evidence pack:
   • Hourly timesheets, contract specifying 25 hrs/week
   • Job description mapped to SOC 3211 typical duties
   • Payslips reflecting correct pro-rated salary

Result: Sponsor increased hours to 30 hrs/week (pro-rated £23,200) and John’s visa was granted on first submission.

7. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

8. FAQs

Q1: My occupation is split across two SOC codes. Which do I pick?

Choose the code whose “typical duties” best fit over 50% of your role.

Q2: Can sponsors use a custom job title?

Yes—but the CoS’s job title field must still match an Appendix entry, then map that title to your custom internal role.

Q3: How is “going rate” calculated?

Based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, pro-rated to 37.5 hours/week.

Q4: What’s the shortage-occupation benefit?

30% lower salary threshold (but never below £20,960) and reduced visa fees.

Q5: Does the Appendix cover part-time roles?

Yes—salary is pro-rated. You must still meet the weekly hours and pro-rated going rate.

9. Practical Tips for a Smooth Application

1. Bookmark the UKVI PDF page and check for updates quarterly.
2. Create a mapping document internally: list each role → SOC code → going rate.
3. Standardise job adverts: include SOC code and “typical duties” text.
4. Train HR on shortage vs. general rates to avoid salary errors.
5. Use the UKVI tax and salary checker online for a quick verify before issuing CoS.

10. If Your Role Isn’t Listed: Alternative Visa Routes

Not seeing your job on Appendix Skilled Occupations? Consider these options:

• Health & Care Worker visa
  For regulated healthcare roles (e.g., audiologists, radiographers) even if not in Appendix Tables.
• Global Talent visa
  For exceptional leaders in science, tech, arts or humanities—no job offer needed.
• Graduate visa → Skilled Worker switch
  Finish your UK degree, then convert via the Graduate route before applying to a sponsor.
• Intra-company Transfer visa
  For multinational employees relocating internally—even if Appendix-listed roles aren’t available.

Each pathway has its own criteria—consult our specialists to find the best fit.

Navigating the Appendix Skilled Occupations need not be intimidating. By understanding each table’s purpose, decoding your SOC code, and assembling the right evidence, you’ll streamline your Sponsor application and boost your applicants’ visa success.

Ready to secure your Skilled Worker sponsorship? Contact our immigration specialists today for a step-by-step compliance review and bespoke support.