Section A: What is a SOC Code?
For UK immigration purposes, a SOC code is the four-digit occupation code used to classify a job within the Standard Occupational Classification system. The current system is SOC 2020, maintained by the Office for National Statistics.
The Home Office uses SOC 2020 occupation codes to determine how a job is treated under routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, including whether the occupation is eligible for sponsorship and which occupation-specific rules apply.
Is a SOC code the same as a job title?
Different employers can use different titles for similar jobs, while the same title can describe roles with materially different duties. The occupation code should reflect the work involved rather than the title alone.
An exact job title will not always appear in the occupation search tools. Where that happens, similar jobs and descriptions may need to be considered to identify the closest occupation.
DMS Insight for Applicants
A SOC code changes the immigration viability of a job, long before the visa form is completed. Historic codes are a particular trap: a previous Certificate of Sponsorship or SOC 2010 reference may no longer reflect the current SOC 2020 classification or the way the occupation is treated under today’s rules.
Section B: What is My SOC Code?
If you already have a job offer for a sponsored role, ask the sponsor which occupation code they intend to use. If you do not yet know the code, search for the occupation using the CASCOT occupation coding tool.
CASCOT searches the SOC 2020 classification and can help identify a likely occupation code. Not every job title will appear as an exact match, so you may need to try similar titles. Any suggested code should then be checked against the work the job actually involves and against the current Home Office occupation rules.
To find your SOC code:
- Ask your sponsor which occupation code they intend to use if you already have a sponsored job offer.
- If you do not know the code, search for the occupation using the CASCOT occupation coding tool.
- Compare the suggested occupation with the main duties and responsibilities of the job.
- Check the code against the current Home Office occupation table to see whether and on what basis the role can qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
The search result is a starting point rather than confirmation that the code is correct or that the job qualifies for sponsorship. More than one occupation may initially appear possible and the immigration treatment of those occupations can differ.
How do I find the right SOC code for my job?
Where more than one occupation appears possible, focus on the substance of the role rather than the wording of the job title. Similar titles can cover materially different work, while a specialist role may fall within a different occupation from a broader position used by the employer.
Look at the duties the job involves, the level and nature of the work and which occupation most closely reflects the role as a whole. The Home Office can consider the duties and other details of a sponsored job when assessing whether the occupation code selected by the sponsor is appropriate.
A code that appears to match the job title may therefore still be unsuitable if another occupation provides a closer fit for the work you will actually perform.
What if I cannot find my exact job title?
Not finding an exact title does not mean there is no SOC code for the job. Try alternative titles that describe similar work and compare the resulting occupations with the duties of the role. Government guidance recommends trying similar job titles where an exact match cannot be found.
Do not rely on the occupation whose title simply sounds closest to the title in your employment contract. Job titles vary between employers. The work involved in the role is the more reliable basis for identifying the appropriate occupation.
What if more than one SOC code could apply?
Some jobs can reasonably appear to fall within more than one occupation. The sponsor must then identify the code that most appropriately reflects the job being sponsored.
The distinction can have immigration consequences. Different codes can carry different skill classifications, going rates or other occupation-specific conditions. A code that produces a more favourable immigration outcome is not appropriate if another code better reflects the actual role.
If the code proposed by the sponsor appears difficult to reconcile with the main duties of the job, raise the issue before applying. An unresolved mismatch is more significant where using the alternative code would change whether the role qualifies for sponsorship or the salary requirement that applies.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Finding a plausible SOC code is not the same as establishing the correct one. Where two occupations appear credible, compare the immigration consequences as well as the job duties. If one code makes the role eligible, lowers the required salary or otherwise produces a materially different result, the classification deserves closer scrutiny before the applicant relies on it.
Section C: UK SOC Codes at a Glance
The table below shows examples of SOC 2020 occupation codes and how they are currently classified for Skilled Worker purposes. It is not the complete SOC code list.
| SOC Code | Occupation | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 2121 | Civil engineers | Higher Skilled |
| 2131 | IT project managers | Higher Skilled |
| 2133 | IT business analysts, architects and systems designers | Higher Skilled |
| 2134 | Programmers and software development professionals | Higher Skilled |
| 2211 | Generalist medical practitioners | Higher Skilled |
| 2313 | Secondary education teaching professionals | Higher Skilled |
| 2412 | Solicitors and lawyers | Higher Skilled |
| 2421 | Chartered and certified accountants | Higher Skilled |
| 2432 | Marketing and commercial managers | Higher Skilled |
| 2461 | Social workers | Higher Skilled |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians | Medium Skilled |
| 3544 | Data analysts | Medium Skilled |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters | Medium Skilled |
| 5434 | Chefs | Medium Skilled |
| 5435 | Cooks | Ineligible |
This is an illustrative selection, not the full SOC 2020 occupation list. If your job is not shown, search for it using the CASCOT occupation coding tool and check the resulting code against the current Home Office occupation table. Some Medium Skilled occupations are subject to additional eligibility conditions, so the classification shown above does not by itself confirm that a particular job can be sponsored.
Once you have identified the code, use our SOC codes with salary guide to check the corresponding going rate.
Section D: Does the SOC Code Accurately Describe the Job?
Once a likely SOC code has been identified, the next question is whether it genuinely reflects the job being offered. For a Skilled Worker application, the Home Office can look beyond the occupation title and consider whether the role itself is consistent with the code used by the sponsor.
Relevant information can include the job description, the main duties and responsibilities and other details provided about the sponsored role. The occupation code should provide a credible match for the work the applicant will actually be doing.
What if the job covers duties from different occupations?
Some roles do not fall neatly within a single occupation. A job may combine responsibilities that appear to relate to different SOC codes, particularly where the position crosses professional or operational functions.
Having a mixed role does not in itself prevent sponsorship. The sponsor still has to select an appropriate occupation code for the job. Where the role spans different areas of work, the overall nature of the position and the duties the worker will perform need to support the code selected.
Applicants should pay particular attention where only a small part of the role appears to support the proposed code but the main work points elsewhere. A code is not necessarily appropriate simply because some of the duties associated with that occupation appear in the job description.
What if the SOC code does not seem to match the role?
A mismatch is worth resolving before the visa application is submitted. It may be an issue with how the job has been described, or another occupation code may be more appropriate.
A Skilled Worker application can be refused if the Home Office has reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate code, including where the more appropriate code would make the job ineligible or would carry a higher going rate. The coding decision therefore needs to reflect the role rather than produce a more favourable immigration outcome.
A material difference between the sponsored duties and the occupation used for sponsorship can become relevant to the Home Office assessment of whether the code is appropriate.
Can the Home Office check whether the SOC code is appropriate?
Yes. The Home Office is not required to accept an occupation code simply because it appears on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Caseworkers can consider the information provided about the role when deciding whether the code used is appropriate and can request further information where necessary.
A role does not need to mirror every example associated with an occupation code. The question is whether the code provides an appropriate classification for the job being sponsored. For an applicant, a clear relationship between the proposed job and its SOC code helps avoid the occupation becoming an issue when the application is considered.
DMS Insight for Applicants
The most reliable sense-check is to look at the role as a whole. If an independent reader would identify a different occupation from the one selected by the sponsor, that gap deserves closer examination, even where some individual duties appear to support the proposed code.
Section E: Is That Occupation Eligible?
Once the occupation code has been identified and checked against the job, the next step is to establish whether that occupation is eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. The current Home Office occupation tables classify SOC 2020 codes as Higher Skilled, Medium Skilled or Ineligible.
Higher Skilled occupations are generally eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship, provided the other requirements of the route are met. Medium Skilled occupations are more restricted and will generally only support a new application where the role is included on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List and the relevant conditions are met. An occupation classed as Ineligible cannot normally support a new Skilled Worker application.
How do I check whether my SOC code is eligible?
Search the current Home Office occupation table using the four-digit SOC code. The entry will show the occupation and its current skill classification. Where only specified jobs within a broader occupation qualify, those conditions also need to be checked.
Use the rules in force for the present application. A previous visa, historic SOC table or earlier sponsorship of the same job does not confirm that the occupation remains eligible now.
Can a Medium Skilled occupation still qualify?
Yes, but the rules are more limited. New applicants will generally need the occupation to fall within the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Different provisions can apply to some existing Skilled Workers who entered the route under the rules in place before 22 July 2025.
Care workers and senior care workers are a notable example of additional restrictions. New overseas Skilled Worker entry clearance applications under occupation codes 6135 and 6136 are no longer permitted, while limited in-country transitional arrangements remain available where the specific requirements are met.
DMS Insight for Applicants
Past sponsorship of the same or a similar job does not establish current eligibility. Occupation classifications, shortage lists and transitional provisions change, so the relevant question is whether the role qualifies under the rules in force for the present application.
Section F: What Does the SOC Code Mean for My Visa?
Once the correct occupation code has been identified and the job is eligible, the SOC code affects how the Skilled Worker application is assessed. It identifies the occupation-specific going rate and can also affect dependant eligibility or what happens if the worker later changes role.
The code used for the sponsored role forms part of the information recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Applicants should therefore understand the wider immigration consequences of the code rather than treating it as an administrative reference used only by the sponsor.
What Salary Applies to My SOC Code?
Once the correct SOC code is known, you can use it to find the published going rate for the occupation. Our SOC codes with salary guide provides the current occupation codes and corresponding salary rates for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
The published going rate is not necessarily the minimum salary an individual applicant needs to earn. Skilled Worker applications generally have to meet the applicable general salary threshold and the required percentage of the occupation’s going rate, subject to the salary option relied on. Some health and education occupations are instead assessed using relevant national pay scales.
Working out the salary requirement therefore involves more than finding the figure listed against the occupation code. See our Skilled Worker going rate guide for how the relevant thresholds and going rate are applied to an individual case.
Can my SOC code affect whether my family can come to the UK?
In some cases, yes. Restrictions apply to dependants of workers sponsored in Medium Skilled occupations under the rules introduced from 22 July 2025. Transitional provisions allow some existing Skilled Workers and their family members to continue to qualify, depending on their immigration history.
Separate dependant restrictions apply to care workers and senior care workers. Applicants planning to relocate with family should therefore check the rules that apply to their occupation and immigration history before relying on the general Skilled Worker dependant provisions.
Does the SOC code stay relevant after the visa is granted?
Skilled Worker permission is granted on the basis of the sponsored employment described in the application. If a worker changes employer, or moves into a different job with their current employer that falls under a different occupation code, they normally need to apply to update their Skilled Worker permission before starting the new role.
A different job with the same employer does not normally require an update solely because the duties have changed if the occupation code remains the same, although other changes to the sponsored role can still affect the immigration position.
DMS Insight for Applicants
The occupation code can shape more than the initial grant of permission. Salary treatment, dependant eligibility and the immigration consequences of a later job change can all be affected, so the wider position is worth understanding before the worker commits to the role.
The salary shown against a SOC code is only one part of the Skilled Worker calculation. The figure needs to be read alongside the applicable percentage of the going rate and the general salary threshold for the relevant salary option before the applicant can know what minimum salary requirement applies.
Section G: Who Actually Selects the SOC Code?
For a sponsored work visa, the sponsor selects the SOC code for the job. An applicant can search for a likely code and check whether it appears consistent with the role, but the code used for sponsorship is not chosen by the applicant.
The sponsor has to select an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code when assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship. The decision should be based on the job being sponsored and the work the individual will perform. The sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the occupation code and job details recorded on the CoS are accurate.
Can I ask my employer which SOC code they are using?
Yes. Applicants should know which occupation code is being used for their sponsored role. The sponsor should provide the information needed for the visa application, including the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number and relevant details of the job.
If the code is not what the applicant expected, that does not necessarily mean it is wrong. Employers may use job titles and organisational structures that do not correspond neatly with SOC occupation titles. The concern is whether the code appropriately reflects the sponsored job.
Can I ask my sponsor to change the SOC code?
An applicant can raise concerns about a proposed code, particularly where it appears inconsistent with the role. The sponsor should reconsider the classification if new information or a review of the duties indicates that another code is more appropriate.
If the CoS has already been assigned, the sponsor will need to check whether the information can be corrected or whether a new CoS is required before the application is made.
Can an immigration adviser choose the SOC code?
An immigration adviser can advise on which occupation code appears appropriate, but the sponsor remains responsible for the code used on the CoS and for the accuracy of the job information provided to the Home Office.
Where the classification is uncertain, advice can be useful before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned. The aim is to identify an appropriate code for the role under the current rules, not the code that produces the most favourable immigration outcome.
What if the sponsor and applicant disagree about the code?
The applicant cannot substitute a different occupation code for the one selected by the sponsor.
A sponsor that remains satisfied with its classification should be able to explain how the code relates to the role. For the applicant, an unresolved mismatch is a reason to check the position carefully before proceeding, particularly where using a different code would change the immigration treatment of the job.
Employers dealing with SOC code selection should consider the issue from the sponsor compliance perspective as well as the individual application. See our SOC Code Guide for Employers for guidance on selecting and documenting occupation codes for sponsored roles.
DMS Insight for Applicants
The sponsor owns the formal coding decision, but the applicant still bears the consequences if the classification is weak. A clear discrepancy between the duties and the proposed code is something to raise before submission rather than leave entirely to the employer’s internal process.
Section H: What if the SOC Code Appears Wrong?
If the SOC code on the sponsorship information appears wrong, deal with the issue before submitting the visa application where possible. A discrepancy does not always mean the sponsor has made an error, but it should be understood before the applicant relies on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Start by identifying what does not appear to fit. The concern may relate to the occupation itself, the duties described for the role or other information used to support the classification. Raise the specific discrepancy with the sponsor rather than simply proposing a different code.
Can a wrong SOC code affect my visa application?
Yes. If the code used for sponsorship is not appropriate for the job, the application can fail where the role does not meet the Skilled Worker requirements attached to the correct occupation.
The Home Office can scrutinise whether the occupation code used for the sponsored role is appropriate. Applicants should not assume that a code will be accepted simply because it appears on the CoS.
What should I do if I notice an error before applying?
Contact the sponsor and explain the discrepancy before submitting the application. The sponsor can review the role and decide whether the existing code remains appropriate or whether the sponsorship information needs to be corrected.
If the CoS has already been assigned, the sponsor will need to establish whether the error can be corrected or whether a new CoS is required before the application is made. The applicant should not submit an application on the assumption that an apparent coding error can simply be corrected later.
What if I notice the problem after submitting my application?
The position becomes less straightforward once the visa application has been submitted. The applicant should tell the sponsor promptly and establish what information has been provided to the Home Office.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to provide further information, vary an eligible in-country application or withdraw and make a corrected application. The available option depends on the type of application, the nature of the error and the stage reached. Withdrawal can also have immigration, timing and fee consequences, so the position should be assessed before taking that step.
What if the visa has already been granted with the wrong SOC code?
A grant of permission does not necessarily mean that an apparent coding discrepancy can be ignored. The first step is to establish whether the code was actually inappropriate for the sponsored job and whether the worker is carrying out the role described in the sponsorship information.
If there is a material difference between the sponsored role and the work being performed, the sponsor and worker should check whether action is required under the Skilled Worker rules or the sponsor’s reporting duties. The correct response will depend on the circumstances rather than the existence of another possible occupation code alone.
Should I delay my application if the SOC code is in doubt?
Where there is a genuine unresolved question about the occupation code, submitting first and resolving the issue later creates avoidable risk. The point should be resolved before submission where the applicant’s circumstances allow.
Applicants also need to consider the validity of the CoS and any existing immigration permission. If timing is tight, the consequences of delaying, submitting or replacing the sponsorship documentation need to be considered together rather than treating the SOC code as an isolated issue.
DMS Insight for Applicants
Timing matters when a coding issue emerges. Before submission, there may still be a straightforward opportunity to review the role and correct the sponsorship information. After submission or grant, the available options can narrow and the cost, delay and immigration consequences can increase.
Summary
SOC codes identify occupations within the UK classification system and play an important role in sponsored work visa applications. Applicants should check that the code used for their role reflects the work they will actually be doing, that the occupation is eligible and that the relevant salary requirements can be met. The sponsor remains responsible for selecting the code used for sponsorship.
Once the correct code is established, applicants can use it to check the applicable going rate and other occupation-specific requirements.
Need Assistance?
If you are unsure whether the occupation code selected for your role is appropriate, or how it affects your Skilled Worker application, our UK immigration lawyers can advise on the position before you apply. Contact us for advice on your circumstances.
SOC Code FAQs
How do I find my SOC code?
If you have a sponsored job offer, ask your sponsor which occupation code they intend to use. You can also search for the occupation using the CASCOT occupation coding tool and compare the result with the job you will be doing.
Can I find a SOC code from a job title?
Yes, a job title can be used as a starting point when searching for a SOC code, but it may not produce an exact match. Similar titles can describe different roles, so the duties of the job also need to be considered.
Where can I find my SOC code on my Certificate of Sponsorship?
The occupation code forms part of the job information recorded on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Your sponsor should provide the information you need from the CoS for your visa application.
Who decides my SOC code for a Skilled Worker visa?
The sponsor selects the SOC code used for the sponsored job. An applicant can check the proposed classification, but does not choose the occupation code recorded for the role.
Can the same job title have different SOC codes?
Yes. The same job title can describe roles involving different work, while different titles can be used for similar jobs. The appropriate occupation code depends on the substance of the role rather than the title alone.
What if more than one SOC code appears to fit my job?
More than one occupation can initially appear possible. The sponsor has to select an appropriate code for the job, taking account of the role and the work the applicant will perform.
Does my SOC code affect my Skilled Worker salary?
Yes. The code identifies the going rate for the occupation, but the published rate is not necessarily the minimum salary required for your application. See our SOC codes with salary guide to find the relevant rate.
What is the difference between SOC 2010 and SOC 2020?
SOC 2020 is the classification currently used for Skilled Worker sponsorship. Certificates of Sponsorship assigned from 4 April 2024 use SOC 2020 codes, so older immigration records may show a different SOC 2010 code for the same or a similar occupation.
Can my SOC code affect whether I can bring dependants?
Yes, in some cases. Dependant restrictions apply to workers sponsored in certain Medium Skilled occupations under the rules applying from 22 July 2025, with transitional provisions for some existing Skilled Workers. Separate restrictions apply to care workers and senior care workers.
What should I do if my SOC code appears wrong?
Ask the sponsor to review the classification before applying where possible. If the Certificate of Sponsorship has already been assigned or the visa application has been submitted, the options for correcting the position will depend on the stage reached.
SOC Code Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SOC | Standard Occupational Classification, the UK system used by the Office for National Statistics to classify jobs according to skill level and skill content. |
| SOC code | The four-digit occupation code used for UK immigration purposes to identify the occupation associated with a sponsored job. |
| SOC 2020 | The current occupational classification used for Certificates of Sponsorship assigned on or after 4 April 2024. It replaced SOC 2010 for new CoS assignments from that date. |
| SOC 2010 | The previous occupational classification used for older sponsorship records. A SOC 2010 code may not map directly onto the SOC 2020 code now used for the same or a similar occupation. |
| CASCOT | An occupation coding tool used to search for a likely SOC code by job title or occupation. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic sponsorship record assigned by a licensed sponsor to a worker. It contains details of the sponsored job, including the occupation code. |
| Sponsor | An organisation licensed by the Home Office to sponsor workers. For Skilled Worker sponsorship, the sponsor is responsible for selecting an appropriate occupation code for the role. |
| Higher Skilled | A current Home Office classification for SOC 2020 occupations treated as skilled to RQF level 6 or above. These occupations are generally eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship, subject to the other requirements of the route. |
| Medium Skilled | A current Home Office classification for occupations below RQF level 6. Eligibility for new Skilled Worker applications is restricted and generally depends on the occupation being included on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, or on relevant transitional provisions. |
| Going rate | The occupation-specific salary rate used as part of the Skilled Worker salary assessment. The published rate varies by SOC code and may need to be adjusted for working hours. |
Additional Resources & Links
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker eligible occupations | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes |
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker going rates | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-going-rates-for-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-going-rates-for-eligible-occupation-codes |
| ONS – Standard Occupational Classification 2020 | https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/standardoccupationalclassificationsoc/soc2020 |
| CASCOT occupation coding tool | https://cascotweb.warwick.ac.uk/ |
