Can social workers get a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. Social workers are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa under SOC code 2442. The role must be with an employer who holds a sponsor licence, such as a local authority or a private care provider. You must also register with the relevant regulator before you can practise.

Are social workers on the Immigration Salary List?

Yes. Social workers appear on the Immigration Salary List. This can allow a lower salary threshold than the general figure. You still need to be paid at least the going rate for the role. Always check the current Immigration Salary List and going rate on GOV.UK.

Do I need to register with Social Work England?

To work as a social worker in England, you must register with Social Work England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own regulator. Registration is a condition of practising. It is separate from the visa, but you cannot work in the role without it.

What salary do social workers need?

Because social work is on the Immigration Salary List, a lower salary threshold may apply. You must still meet the going rate for the role. The exact figure depends on the current rules and the pay band set by your employer. Check GOV.UK for the latest values before you rely on a number.

Can I bring my family on this visa?

Yes. The Skilled Worker visa allows you to bring your partner and children as dependants, as long as you can meet the requirements. They can usually work and study in the UK. Check the dependant rules carefully before you apply.

Skilled Worker Visa for Social Workers: UK Guide 2026

Social workers are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa under SOC code 2442 and appear on the Immigration Salary List, which can mean a lower salary threshold. You must register with the relevant regulator, such as Social Work England, before you can practise. This guide covers the route, salary, and registration.

Social Work and the Skilled Worker Visa

The UK has steady demand for qualified social workers across children's services, adult care, and mental health teams. The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for overseas social workers to take up these roles.

Two things make this route easier for social workers than for many other jobs. First, the role is on the Immigration Salary List, which can lower the salary you need. Second, employers such as local authorities are used to sponsoring overseas staff. The main extra step is registering with the right regulator before you start work.

The SOC Code for Social Workers

Your Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code sets the going rate for your job and decides which rules apply. Social workers fall under SOC 2442 — social workers. Your employer chooses this code when they create your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

The code must match the work you will actually do. You can confirm the right code on the eligible jobs list. Note that support worker and care assistant roles use different codes and rules, so check carefully if your job title is not simply "social worker".

The Immigration Salary List and Your Salary

Social work is one of the roles on the Immigration Salary List. Roles on this list can use a lower salary threshold than the general figure. This recognises that the UK has a shortage of social workers.

A lower threshold does not mean there is no minimum. You must still be paid at least the going rate for the role. Your pay must meet both the relevant threshold and the going rate, whichever is higher. The salary threshold guide explains how these figures fit together. Because these numbers change, always check the current values on GOV.UK.

Registering with Social Work England

You cannot practise as a social worker in the UK without registering with the right regulator. In England, this is Social Work England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own regulator. You must register with the one that covers where you will work.

Registration is separate from your visa, but the two are linked in practice. Your employer will usually expect you to be registered, or to be working towards it, as a condition of the job. Our guide to professional registration in the UK explains the general process, and our guide on the recognition of foreign qualifications covers how overseas training is assessed.

Finding a Sponsor

You need an employer who holds a sponsor licence and who will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship. Local authorities, NHS trusts, and private care providers commonly sponsor social workers.

You can check whether an employer can sponsor you by searching the register of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK.

English Language Requirement

You must show English at CEFR level B1 (intermediate) or above. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the standard scale used to measure language skill. You can often meet this through a degree taught in English.

Note that the regulator may set a higher English standard for registration than the visa requires. Our guide to English language tests for UK visas lists the accepted options for the visa.

Costs to Plan For

The main costs are the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Because social work is on the Immigration Salary List, some fees may differ from the standard route. Our Skilled Worker visa cost guide breaks down what you pay and what your employer pays. You should also budget for registration fees with your regulator.

Path to Settlement

After 5 years on the Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify, you usually need ongoing sponsored work, a Life in the UK test pass, and English at the required level. Our settlement timeline guide sets out the full journey.

Next Steps

Confirm that your role fits SOC 2442, check the current Immigration Salary List threshold and going rate on GOV.UK, and start the registration process with the right regulator. Then find an employer that can sponsor you.

Related guides: