SOC 2020 Occupation Code Lookup
Search the full UK Standard Occupational Classification 2020 database used for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, salary thresholds and going rates.
Why SOC codes matter for Skilled Worker visa
Every UK Skilled Worker visa application is tied to a SOC 2020 unit group (4-digit code). The code determines:
- Whether the role is eligible (RQF 6+ required from 22 July 2025)
- The occupation's going rate, which your salary must meet or exceed
- Whether Immigration Salary List / Temporary Shortage List discounts apply (both expire 31 Dec 2026)
- Which allowances (new entrant, PhD STEM/non-STEM) are available
Data source: Warwick CASCOT SOC 2020 v13 classification. Synced weekly. Code selection is a Home Office decision - use this lookup as guidance only.
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How to use the SOC 2020 lookup
Type any part of a job title, task description, or SOC code (1, 2, 3 or 4 digits, e.g. 2136 or 2136/01). Results return the unit group plus sub-unit variants along with typical entry routes, tasks performed, and related job titles used by the UK Office for National Statistics and the Home Office Skilled Worker eligible occupations list.
SOC 2020 hierarchy at a glance
- Major group (1 digit): 9 broad groups covering all UK occupations
- Sub-major group (2 digits): 25 sub-groups narrowing the area of work
- Minor group (3 digits): ~100 groupings by function
- Unit group (4 digits): ~412 occupations - this is the level used for visa sponsorship
- Sub-unit / variant (4 digits / 2 digits): finer sub-classifications (~1,400 variants) used for job mapping by ONS
For the definitive structure see the ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1 - structure and descriptions of unit groups and the updated SOC 2020 Extension Project (2023) which introduced the expanded sub-unit variants used by ONS and CASCOT.
Why SOC 2020 codes matter for a UK Skilled Worker visa
Since 22 July 2025, the UK Skilled Worker route has required roles to be at RQF Level 6 (graduate-level) or above, removing most roles that previously sat at RQF 3-5. The precise skill level of each unit group is defined by ONS in SOC 2020 Volume 1 and cross-referenced by the Home Office in Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations. Without the correct 4-digit SOC 2020 code, a sponsor cannot assign a Certificate of Sponsorship and UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will refuse the application.
The SOC code your sponsor selects on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) drives four legal tests:
- Skill level test - the role must sit in an eligible SOC 2020 unit group listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations. Codes not on the list are ineligible regardless of salary.
- Going rate test - every eligible SOC code has a published going rate based on ASHE (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings) median salaries, pro-rated for 37.5 hours/week. The salary on the CoS must match or exceed it.
- Discount eligibility - discounted salary thresholds apply for roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). Both sunset on 31 December 2026 per the Migration Advisory Committee recommendations.
- Allowance eligibility - new entrant, PhD (STEM / non-STEM), and health/education-sector reductions are tied to specific SOC 2020 codes. See Appendix Skilled Worker for the definitive reductions.
How the Home Office uses SOC 2020 codes
Prior to 22 November 2023, sponsors were required to use SOC 2010 codes; the Home Office aligned with ONS SOC 2020 that date via the Statement of Changes HC 1496. Since then all Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up routes have operated on the 4-digit SOC 2020 unit-group level.
Sponsors assign the SOC code on the Sponsor Management System (SMS) when issuing a CoS. The Sponsor a Skilled Worker caseworker guidance explicitly requires the SOC code to reflect "the occupation that most closely matches the job duties" - not the job title or salary. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons for licence revocation under Part 3 compliance duties.
SOC 2020 vs SOC 2010 - what changed
The 2020 revision added 7 new unit groups, merged several legacy groups (notably in retail and hospitality), and re-assigned skill levels for many healthcare, IT and engineering roles. A full SOC 2010 → SOC 2020 lookup (XLSX) is published by ONS. If you hold an older CoS issued under SOC 2010, renewals from 4 April 2024 must be re-mapped to the SOC 2020 equivalent before extension.
Choosing the right SOC code - step-by-step
- Search this tool with the full job title used on the job description (e.g. Registered Nurse - Adult).
- Compare the matched unit group's Tasks list against the real day-to-day duties.
- Check the Related job titles list - the Home Office uses these when scrutinising a CoS.
- Verify the code is on Appendix Skilled Occupations (Table 1) and note the going rate.
- Run the salary against the dual-test using our Skilled Worker Salary Calculator.
- Confirm the applicant meets the 70-point eligibility check (English B2 for first-time applicants from 8 January 2026, financial maintenance, CoS validity).
Common SOC 2020 codes used for sponsorship
| SOC 2020 code | Unit group | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| 2136 | Programmers and software development professionals | Software engineer, full-stack developer, backend engineer |
| 2231 | Nurses | Registered nurse (adult, mental health, paediatric, learning disability) |
| 2211 | Medical practitioners | Junior doctor, GP, hospital specialist |
| 2314 | Secondary education teaching professionals | STEM and shortage-subject teachers on the ISL |
| 2133 | IT project and programme managers | Delivery managers, agile coaches |
| 2425 | Actuaries, economists and statisticians | Data scientists, quantitative analysts |
| 2126 | Design and development engineers | Mechanical / electronic product engineers |
| 1150 | Managing directors and chief executives | C-suite and regional MDs (Scale-up / GBM) |
Going rates refresh annually each April following the ASHE release. Always confirm the current figure via Appendix Skilled Occupations.
What this lookup returns for each code
- Description - the ONS narrative defining the unit group.
- Entry routes - the typical qualifications / apprenticeships used to infer RQF skill level.
- Tasks - the day-to-day duties used by caseworkers to validate a CoS.
- Related job titles - synonyms ONS maps to the unit group (also used by CASCOT, Find a Job (DWP) and recruitment tooling).
- Sub-unit variants (e.g. 2136/01) - ONS extension groupings used for granular ONS labour-market statistics but not for visa sponsorship.
Cross-references across this toolkit
- Our Skilled Worker Salary Calculator applies going-rate tables and the 37.5-hour standard to verify compliance per Appendix Skilled Worker.
- The Skilled Worker Eligibility Calculator runs the 70-point test and flags English-language requirements against the SW01 caseworker guidance.
- The Cost Calculator computes the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) at £480/year (small sponsor) or £1,320/year (medium/large) keyed to the SOC-aligned role.
- To see which UK companies are currently sponsoring your SOC 2020 code, create a free account and search the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) mirrored on this site.
Frequently asked questions about SOC 2020 codes
Which SOC classification does the Home Office use in 2026?
All UK work routes (Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Scale-up, Seasonal Worker) use SOC 2020. The switchover from SOC 2010 took effect on 22 November 2023 via Statement of Changes HC 1496.
What level is used for visa sponsorship - 4-digit or sub-unit?
The 4-digit unit group is definitive. Sub-unit variants (e.g. 2136/01 Web developers) are ONS labour-market extensions and are not referenced in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
What is CASCOT and why is it cited here?
CASCOT (Computer-Assisted Structured Coding Tool) is a free occupational coding tool from the University of Warwick IER, also used by ONS for the 2021 Census coding. Its SOC 2020 dataset (v13) is the same source this lookup mirrors - synced weekly.
Can I choose a SOC code with a higher going rate to increase my points?
No. Paragraph SW 6.5 of Appendix Skilled Worker requires that the SOC code must "appropriately reflect the job the applicant will be doing". Caseworkers compare your job description to the ONS tasks list. A manifestly wrong code is a Tier-2 compliance breach risking licence revocation.
Are RQF 3-5 codes still sponsorable?
From 22 July 2025 the default threshold is RQF Level 6. A limited set of RQF 3-5 SOC codes remain sponsorable only if listed on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, both of which sunset on 31 December 2026 per MAC advice.
Where do the tasks and related job titles come from?
Directly from the ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1 and the CASCOT v13 coding index (example: 2136). This site does not modify the ONS/CASCOT text - it is reproduced verbatim for classification accuracy and re-synced weekly.
Authoritative references & further reading
- ONS - Standard Occupational Classification 2020 (SOC 2020)
- ONS - SOC 2020 Volume 1: Structure and descriptions of unit groups
- ONS - SOC 2020 Volume 2: Coding rules and conventions
- Warwick CASCOT - Computer-Assisted Structured Coding Tool (data source, v13)
- GOV.UK - Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Occupations
- GOV.UK - Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker
- GOV.UK - Workers and Temporary Workers: Sponsor a Skilled Worker (caseworker guidance)
- GOV.UK - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes
- GOV.UK - Immigration Salary List (ISL)
- GOV.UK - Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers)
- GOV.UK - Statement of Changes HC 1496 (SOC 2010 → 2020 switchover)
- Migration Advisory Committee - Review of the Shortage Occupation List 2024
This lookup mirrors the Warwick CASCOT SOC 2020 (v13) classification, the same reference used by the UK Office for National Statistics. Data is refreshed weekly. For definitive visa guidance always consult the GOV.UK Skilled Worker eligible occupations list or a qualified immigration adviser - this page is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.
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