What RQF level does a Skilled Worker job need?
Since 22 July 2025, a new Skilled Worker job must usually be at RQF level 6 (degree level) or above. 121 occupation codes meet that. The job needs the level; you don’t need a degree yourself.
Which jobs are RQF 6
| Skill level | Codes | Examples | Can be sponsored? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher skilled (RQF 6+) | 121 | Programmers and software development professionals (2134), Chartered and certified accountants (2421), Midwifery nurses (2231) | Yes |
| Medium skilled (RQF 3–5) | 178 | Data analysts (3544), IT user support technicians (3132), Electricians and electrical fitters (5241) | Only via the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List, or for people who held Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 |
| Not eligible | 113 | Sales and retail assistants (7111), Bank and post office clerks (4123), Farm workers (9111) | No |
Our count from Appendix Skilled Occupations, 4 November 2026. The Immigration Salary List is a list of shortage jobs with a lower salary floor.
What RQF means
The Regulated Qualifications Framework puts qualifications on 9 levels, from entry level to level 8. It is used in England and Northern Ireland; Wales uses the same levels in its own framework, and Scotland has the SCQF. GOV.UK gives examples: level 3 is A level, level 6 a bachelor’s degree, level 7 a master’s degree.
For the visa, the job’s SOC code sets the level, not your qualifications.
If you were sponsored before 22 July 2025
People who held Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025, and have kept their permission since, can stay in medium-skilled jobs, including when they extend or change job (Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 6.1(d)).
What it means for your job search
A job title isn’t enough to tell the level. The duties decide which SOC code fits, and the code decides the level. The employer can tell you the code it would use; the SOC table lists every code open to new applicants. Most job pages on SponsorJobs also show the code we think fits, as our reading of the advert.
Common questions
Do I need a degree for a Skilled Worker visa?
Not for this rule. The job has to be at degree level (RQF 6) or above, but you don’t need the qualification yourself. Some regulated jobs, such as nursing or law, still need the professional qualification to do the work.
What is RQF level 6?
The level of a bachelor’s degree, degree apprenticeship or graduate diploma on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. For the visa it describes the job: graduate-level work such as software development, accountancy or engineering.
Are data analyst jobs RQF 6?
No. Data analysts (3544) are medium skilled. The code can be sponsored while it is on the Temporary Shortage List, for certificates issued before 31 December 2026. It is also in the list the Migration Advisory Committee proposed for 2027.