From 4th April 2024 a number of significant changes are being made to the immigration rules for Skilled Workers. One of the changes is the change to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.
At present, an employer looking to sponsor a migrant must choose a SOC code under the SOC 2010 volume. From 4 April 2024, employers must now choose from the SOC 2020 volume.
This change will affect the minimum “going rate” for the chosen occupation. The going rate is the standard salary for specific jobs based on a 37.5 hour working week.
This is important because of the salary requirement which must be met to sponsor skilled workers is changing. At present, an applicant’s salary must equal or exceed all of the following:
- £26,200 per year;
- £10.75 per hour; and
- The going rate for their occupation code.
The minimum salary of £26,200 is increasing for new applicants to £38,700.
Also under the new changes the £10.75 hourly rate will become redundant due to the hourly rate of even the lowest salary threshold exceeding this under the new rules.
With the new rules and the switch from the SOC 2010 to SOC 2020, the “going rate” for skilled workers will change from the 25th percentile of earnings for skilled jobs to the 50th percentile.
In their Statement of Changes on 14 March, the Home Office provide a section entitled “Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data”. It is helpful to observe the upcoming rates against the current levels, and so we have provided a small table including roles that we often assist skilled workers or employers with:
| Standard Occupational Code | 25th percentile (current) | 50th percentile (upcoming) | Change increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information technology and telecommunications directors | £47,900 | £80,000 | £32,100 |
| Mechanical engineers | £33,000 | £42,500 | £9,500 |
| Management consultants and business analysts | £32,000 | £46,627 | £14,627 |
| Human resource managers and directors | £36,500 | £49,400 | £12,900 |
| Civil engineers | £34,700 | £45,500 | £10,800 |
| Chief executives and senior officials | £59,300 | £84,100 | £24,800 |
It should be noted that discounted rates such as the “new entrant” will still apply from 4 April. For more information on this and other changes relevant to sponsorship, I would recommend reading our previous blog written by my colleagues Vincent Chung and Madeline Joseph if you have not done so already.
If you have any questions about the changes to immigration rules and/or would like assistance with submitting an immigration application, please contact us for a fixed fee consultation.
Written by
Related News, Insights & Events
Statement of Changes: Care worker visas from abroad are to end
From 22/07/2025, care worker and senior care worker roles will be closed to overseas applicants. Transitional rules will apply. Our latest insight discusses what this means for a company's workforce.
Transition to e-visas – what is the latest?
We explain what visa holders need to do to access their e-visa, key deadlines (including for travel after 2 June 2025), important changes for students, workers, those with Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Record-keeping duties for UK sponsors: Balancing immigration and data protection legislation
Sponsorship records must be securely retained under UK GDPR.
