Senior care workers
Official visa salary requirements and eligibility data for 2026.
Going Rate (Annual)
£22,600
Based on 37.5 hour week
Hourly Rate
£11.59
Minimum per hour
Visa Eligibility for Senior care workers
To be sponsored as a Senior care workers (SOC 6136) on a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must pay you whichever is HIGHER:
- AThe General Threshold: £41,700
- BThe Going Rate for this job: £22,600
Verdict: You must be paid at least £41,700 per year (assuming 37.5 hour week).
Can I be paid less?
New Entrant Discount
If you are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you can be paid 70% of the going rate.
New Minimum: £33,400
Immigration Salary List
This job is not on the shortage list, so no specific shortage discount applies unless you are a New Entrant.
Job Description
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Standard Occupational Classification 2020.
Key Facts: Senior care workers in the UK
The role of Senior care workers (SOC code 6136) is classified as a Medium Skilled occupation at RQF 3 level under the UK's Standard Occupational Classification system. Although the going rate is £22,600, applicants must still meet the general threshold of £41,700 (whichever is higher).
This occupation is not currently on the Immigration Salary List, so the standard threshold of £41,700 or the going rate applies without discount.
As of January 2026, all new Skilled Worker visa applicants for this role must demonstrate B2 English language proficiency (IELTS 5.5-6.5 or equivalent). The hourly rate equivalent for this going rate is approximately £11.59/hour based on a standard 37.5-hour week. This role leads to a pathway to ILR (settlement) after 5 years of continuous residence under current rules — though proposed earned settlement changes may extend this to 10 years from April 2026.
Disclaimer: This data is for guidance only. Home Office rules change frequently. Always verify specific requirements with a qualified immigration adviser.
Official Sources & Data
- • Going rate from: GOV.UK Appendix Skilled Occupations (effective 22 July 2025)
- • General threshold: £41,700 from GOV.UK Skilled Worker Visa
- • SOC classification: ONS SOC 2020
- • Last verified: February 2026 | Rule set effective from: 22 July 2025