SOC 2020 code 6129 · Caring, leisure and other service occupations
Animal care services occupations (not elsewhere classified) visa sponsorship UK: which jobs can still be sponsored? (SOC 6129)
Official occupation name: Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified
Can a new applicant be sponsored in this job today?
Only for some jobs. Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified (SOC 6129) is a medium-skilled occupation, closed to new applicants since 22 July 2025 unless it is on a shortage list, and its entry on the Immigration Salary List covers only some of the jobs in it (listed below), on certificates of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026.
- Salary needed
- £41,700
- a year at 37.5 hours a week
- New entrant
- £33,400
- 70% of the going rate, at least £33,400
The going rate for this code (£33,400 a year) is lower than the £41,700 general salary threshold, so £41,700 is the figure to meet. Going rates are set for a 37.5-hour week (£17.13 an hour for this code) and are pro-rated to the hours on your contract. The flat minimums are not reduced for part-time hours, so a part-time job can meet its pro-rated going rate and still fall short.
Checked against gov.uk on 23 October 2026. Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Immigration Salary List.
What the rules say about code 6129
Appendix Skilled Occupations lists this code in Table 1a, and the gov.uk eligible occupations table labels it “Medium Skilled”.
Tables 1a and 3a are for medium-skilled occupations (RQF levels 3 to 5). Since 22 July 2025, sponsors may only use them for someone granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025 who has held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List (Appendix Skilled Worker SW 6.1).
This code is not eligible for PhD points, so a doctorate does not lower the salary needed.
Jobs that meet this code's Immigration Salary List criteria (below) need £33,400 instead, because the general minimum for jobs on the list is £33,400.
The new-entrant rate applies, for example, to someone under 26 on the date of application, someone in the UK on a Student visa studying at degree level or above, or someone on a Graduate visa (each also covers the last two years in some cases). Total time in the UK on new-entrant terms is capped at four years, including time on a Graduate visa. The full conditions are on gov.uk.
Shortage lists
Immigration Salary List
Until 31 December 2026Covers: only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders.
Listed in every UK nation. A job on the list needs at least £33,400 and the going rate, rather than £41,700, and gov.uk says the visa fee is lower. The certificate of sponsorship must be issued before the removal date. Appendix Immigration Salary List.
Job titles in code 6129
Examples from the Immigration Rules and the gov.uk eligible occupations table. They are examples, not the full list: a job belongs in this code because of its duties, whatever it is called.
- Animal boarding assistants
- Animal breeders
- Animal groomers
- Animal trainers (excludes performing animals)
- Animal walkers
- Animal welfare workers
- Stable workers
- Veterinary assistants
- Zookeepers
- Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified
Who chooses the occupation code
The employer does, not you and not GoRizzume. The sponsor picks the code when it assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship, and Appendix Skilled Worker (SW 6.2) lets the Home Office refuse the application if it has reasonable grounds to believe a less appropriate code was chosen because the right one is not eligible, has a higher going rate, or is not on the Immigration Salary List. The duties decide the code, not the job title.
So treat this page as the rules for code 6129, not a verdict on any particular offer. Ask the employer which code they will use, then check that code. If you are unsure, the CASCOT coding tool suggests codes for a job title, and gov.uk says to make sure the description matches what you will actually do.
Other occupations in minor group 612
Find an employer that can sponsor
Only an employer on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa, and a licence means they can sponsor eligible roles, not that every job comes with sponsorship.
Common questions
Can people in animal care services occupations (not elsewhere classified) be sponsored for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Only for some jobs. Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified (SOC 6129) is a medium-skilled occupation, closed to new applicants since 22 July 2025 unless it is on a shortage list, and its entry on the Immigration Salary List covers only some of the jobs in it (listed below), on certificates of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026. Checked against gov.uk on 23 October 2026.
What salary do people in animal care services occupations (not elsewhere classified) need for a Skilled Worker visa?
At least £41,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week. The going rate for this code (£33,400 a year) is lower than the £41,700 general salary threshold, so £41,700 is the figure to meet. Someone who qualifies as a new entrant, for example by being under 26 on the date of application or by being in the UK on a Graduate visa, can be paid 70% of the going rate with a £33,400 minimum: £33,400 here.
Is SOC 6129 (animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified) on a UK shortage list?
It is on the Immigration Salary List (only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders) in every UK nation, until 31 December 2026. Checked against gov.uk on 23 October 2026.
Who decides which occupation code goes on a Certificate of Sponsorship?
The employer. The sponsor chooses the code when it assigns the certificate, and the Home Office can refuse the application if it has reason to think a less appropriate code was chosen to get round the eligibility or salary rules. A job title alone does not decide the code: the duties do. Ask the employer which code the offer will use.
Rules checked against gov.uk on 23 October 2026. Occupation codes are SOC 2020. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.