Immigration Rules - Appendix Skilled Occupations 2026 lists eligible SOC (Standard Occupation Classification) 2020 occupation codes and going rates for jobs across sponsored work routes, including Skilled Worker, GBM (Global Business Mobility), and Scale-up routes.

The applicant may have to meet different salary thresholds depending on whether they qualify for a reduced salary option, for example, as a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job under the Skilled Worker rules.

Practically, the sponsor in the UK needs to ensure the role they offer to a sponsored worker matches an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code and meets the skill-level threshold rules in force on the date of application. Importantly, since 22 July 2025, applications for entry clearance and switching under Skilled Worker are limited to RQF level 6 (Graduate Level) occupations in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations or roles on the TSL (Temporary Shortage List) or ISL (Immigration Salary List). There are separate transitional arrangements for certain workers in the UK already in the route before 22 July 2025 and, for some cohorts, before 4 April 2024.

A sponsored worker must be paid either the job’s relevant salary threshold or the job’s relevant going rate, whichever is higher. 

The Appendix Skilled Worker occupations 2026 include a wide variety of job roles from across sectors, including healthcare, IT, engineering, and academic jobs. However, not all roles are eligible. For example, most routine occupations are not listed, and lower-skilled or lower-paid jobs usually do not qualify as they are not part of the Appendix.

UK Immigration Rules - Appendix Skilled Occupations 2026

The core of Appendix Skilled Worker Occupations is a table listing SOC 2020 occupation code, occupation title, eligible job types, job’s going rates, and any occupation-specific notes or restrictions.

Only occupations listed under this appendix are generally eligible for Skilled Worker, GBM worker, and Scale-up worker sponsorship.

For each occupation, the appendix provides the going rate, how salary should be calculated (usually based on standard weekly hours), and adjusted rates where applicable

Employers must pay the general salary threshold, or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.

The appendix also contains occupation-specific notes, which are important to avoid misclassification. Home Office clarification about which specific job titles are covered under that SOC occupation and which specific job titles are not covered, even if they sound similar, clarifications on job duties, restrictions (e.g., certain sectors only), and transitional provisions.

The appendix also identifies occupations eligible for reduced salary thresholds (for example, relevant PhD holders or “new entrants” such as recent graduates or those under 26) and recognised as having labour shortages. These roles may have slightly different salary rules.

Where immigration rules change, the appendix may include provisions for workers already sponsored and extension rules under older thresholds.

Appendix Skilled Occupations – Occupation Tables

The occupation tables make up the main component for Immigration Rules - Appendix Skilled Occupations. They identify the job roles that qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker, GBM, and Scale-up routes, and specify the relevant salary requirements.

Each entry in each table is arranged according to a four-digit SOC 2020 occupation code, taken from the Standard Occupational Classification system developed by the Office for National Statistics.

For every listed occupation, the tables generally provide the SOC 2020 code, official occupation title (the official job category name linked to that SOC code), applicable going rate for the job, and eligible job titles, and occupation-specific notes.

1. Table 1

Table 1 sets out the main list of eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes together with their corresponding going rates derived from median earnings data in the ASHE (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings). The stated going rates in Table 1 are annual amounts calculated on the basis of a 37.5-hour working week.

The occupations listed in Table 1 are ones that may be used to sponsor workers under the Skilled Worker route (Options A–E), Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes, provided all other immigration requirements are met.

2. Table 1a

It works alongside Table 1 and contains additional SOC 2020 codes for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission before 22 July 2025 under Skilled Worker (Options A–E) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker 

3. Table 2

It contains the same eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes as in Table 1 and related going rates based on 25th-percentile ASHE (37.5-hour week) data. Table 2 relates to the Skilled Workers route (Options F-J) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker 

4. Table 2a

The table contains additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes for Skilled Worker applicants who were granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, where codes were reassessed as below RQF level 3. Sponsorship for these codes is time-limited to applications made before 4 April 2030 and is constrained to continuity and same-sponsor conditions. 

This table applies to the Skilled Workers route (Options F-J) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker 

5. Table 2aa

It contains additional SOC 2020 codes (at RQF 3–5 (below degree level)) for Skilled Worker applicants who were granted permission before 22 July 2025.

Table 2aa applies to the Skilled Workers route (Options F-J) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker.

6. Table 2b

The table contains additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes for GBM lead applicants who were granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, where codes were reassessed as below RQF level 6 (below degree level), with time-limited conditions (before 4 April 2030) and continuity.

Table 2b applies to the GBM route.

7. Table 3

Table 3 lists certain health and education occupations (identified by their SOC 2020 codes) where salary requirements are based on official national pay frameworks, e.g., NHS Agenda for Change, National teaching pay scales, rather than purely on general market salary data. 

Table 3 applies to the Skilled Worker route (Options A–E and Option K) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker. Going rates reference for relevant roles under the national pay scale, where a route permits the use of the national pay scale salary rules.

8. Table 3a

The table contains additional health and education sector SOC 2020 codes for Skilled Worker applicants who were sponsored before 22 July 2025.

Table 3a applies to the Skilled Worker route (Option K) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker.

9. Table 4

It contains going rates for the healthcare sector SOC 2020 codes by official administration and band (e.g., NHS Agenda for Change).

Table 4 applies to the Skilled Worker route (Option K) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker.

10. Table 5

The table contains going rates for the education sector SOC 2020 codes by official administration and role (e.g., teaching pay scales).

Table 5 applies to the Skilled Worker route (Option K) on eligibility under Appendix Skilled Worker.

11. Table 6

It contains ineligible SOC 2020 codes for Skilled Worker, GBM, or Scale-up routes because of low skill level or other criteria.

Table 6 is ineligible for sponsorships.

How should employers use Appendix Skilled Occupations?

Employers/sponsors should use Appendix Skilled Occupations 2026 as the official reference point when sponsoring migrant workers under the UK Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility routes or the Scale up visa route. They should do the following:

1. Confirm the Job Is Eligible

Before assigning a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), the sponsor should identify the correct a four-digit SOC code for the role, check that the SOC code appears in Appendix Skilled Occupations, and review any specific notes, such as eligible job titles, excluded job titles, and additional conditions or salary adjustments.

If the occupation code is not listed, the role is normally not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker, GBM, or the Scale up route (unless covered by the TSL or transitional rule). 

Occupation codes changed on 4 April 2024.  Some codes may be different from codes that were previously used. The employer should refer to the ONS SOC 2020 CASCOT occupational coding tool to find out the correct job classification code that must be used when sponsoring a worker in the UK. This can help them distinguish between similar roles and avoid choosing a code that initially seems appropriate but differs in key responsibilities or qualification requirements.

2. Check the Required Salary Level

Appendix Skilled Occupations shows the “going rate” for the job for each SOC code. and whether lower salary thresholds apply (e.g., ISL roles, new entrants)

Employers must pay a worker the general salary threshold, or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.

Salary must meet rules on guaranteed gross pay, working hours (usually based on 37.5-hours working week), and exclusions (e.g., most allowances don’t count).

3. Ensure the Role Matches the SOC Code

Employers must match the actual job duties, not just the job title, ensure the role genuinely meets the skill level threshold (currently RQF level 6 unless otherwise specified), and avoid “misclassification” (e.g., labeling a lower-skilled role under a higher-skilled code).

The Home Office assesses the job’s substance, not just the title.

4. Keep Compliance Records

Employers should retain evidence of how the SOC code was selected, job description and contract, salary calculations, and recruitment records (if relevant).

This protects the sponsor/business during a Home Office compliance audit.

5. Review Changes Regularly

The Home Office periodically updates Appendix Skilled Occupations. Before assigning a CoS, the employers must check the most recent Appendix Skilled Occupation before issuing sponsorship, not rely on an older eligible job list, and review the potential impact on extensions or role changes.
 

How can Visa and Migration help?

On sponsored routes, job eligibility often becomes a source of confusion and a common ground for the refusal of a visa application. It is also only one of the numbers of visa-specific criteria that both the employer and the applicant must satisfy for a sponsored visa application to be successful.

We are an expert business immigration agency, and we can help you in;

• Choosing the correct SOC Code

• Applying the relevant salary thresholds

• Looking for route-specific (skilled worker, GBM, or Scale-up worker route) eligibility

• Keeping you updated with the latest Appendix Skilled Worker Occupations

• Ensuring the match between CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) and job role

• Looking at job-specific requirements carefully

For expert advice and queries on Appendix Skilled Worker Occupations 2026, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com