Last Updated On – 13-07-2026

UK occupation code 6131 covers nursing auxiliaries and assistants, including certain hospital healthcare assistants, healthcare support workers, auxiliary nurses and nursing assistants.

Under current rules, the code is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. For immigration sponsorship purposes, the worker must normally be employed in an environment where at least one registered nurse role also exists. The job must also meet the applicable salary, sponsorship and genuineness requirements.

The current Immigration Salary List gives code 6131 a removal date of 31 December 2026. Applicants and sponsors should therefore check the latest Immigration Rules before assigning or accepting a Certificate of Sponsorship for employment extending into 2027.

6131 Job Code Summary

Category Current information
Official occupation code 6131
UK classification Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
SOC system Standard Occupational Classification 2020
Skill classification for immigration Medium skilled
Common job titles Healthcare assistant, healthcare support worker, auxiliary nurse, nursing assistant and nursing auxiliary
General salary estimate Approximately £25,000 to £27,000 a year
2026/27 NHS England Band 2 salary £25,272
2026/27 NHS England Band 3 salary £25,760 to £27,476
Immigration salary figure Usually at least £25,000, or the applicable going rate if higher
Health and Care Worker visa eligibility Currently eligible, subject to all visa and sponsorship conditions
Additional workplace condition At least one registered nurse role must exist in the working environment
Current Immigration Salary List removal date 31 December 2026
Registered nurse role included? No. Registered nurses use different occupation codes

The figures above serve different purposes. A general career salary estimate is not the same as the minimum salary required for immigration sponsorship.

What Is the UK Standard Occupational Classification?

What Is the UK Standard Occupational Classification

The Standard Occupational Classification, commonly called the SOC, is the system used to classify jobs in the UK according to their duties, required skills and type of work.

The current system is SOC 2020. Government departments, employers, researchers and immigration authorities use its four-digit codes to distinguish between different occupations.

The Office for National Statistics classifies jobs by their skill level and skill content rather than relying solely on the wording of a job title.

Under SOC 2020, code 6131 is officially described as “Nursing auxiliaries and assistants.”

Older employment or immigration records may show code 6141 for nursing auxiliaries and assistants. This was the equivalent code under SOC 2010 before the occupation codes were updated.

Official classification information is available through the Office for National Statistics SOC 2020 guidance.

Which Job Roles Are Included Under Code 6131?

Official UK occupation guidance gives the following related job titles for code 6131:

These titles are examples rather than an exhaustive list. An employer should select the code that most accurately reflects the worker’s principal duties.

A role should not be placed under code 6131 merely because its title contains the words “care”, “support” or “assistant”. Home Office guidance states that the job description must match the work that the person will actually perform.

What Duties Do Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants Perform?

The Office for National Statistics describes nursing auxiliaries and assistants as workers who support doctors, nurses and other health professionals caring for sick or injured people in hospitals, clinics, homes and community settings.

Typical responsibilities can include:

The exact duties depend on the workplace, training, clinical governance arrangements and level of supervision. Some employers may use more specific job titles even though the underlying position falls within code 6131.

Is a Healthcare Assistant Always Classified Under Code 6131?

Is a Healthcare Assistant Always Classified Under Code 6131

Not every healthcare assistant or care assistant belongs under code 6131.

A hospital healthcare assistant working alongside registered nurses and helping with patient observations, mobility and personal care may fit code 6131. A care worker visiting people in their own homes to help with meals, washing and daily living may instead fall under code 6135, which covers care workers and home carers.

The distinction is important because different occupation codes can carry different immigration eligibility, salary and sponsorship conditions.

Example 1: Hospital Healthcare Assistant

A worker is employed on an NHS hospital ward. The role involves helping nurses take patient observations, assisting with mobility, preparing beds and supporting patients with personal care.

This position is likely to be consistent with code 6131 because the work supports clinical professionals in a healthcare environment where registered nurses are present.

Example 2: Domiciliary Care Worker

A worker travels between private homes and assists adults with washing, preparing meals, shopping and independent living.

This role is more likely to fall under code 6135 rather than 6131 because its main purpose is domiciliary social care rather than nursing assistance in a clinical environment.

Example 3: Registered Nurse

A registered nurse assesses patients, plans nursing care, administers medication and takes professional responsibility for clinical decisions.

This role does not fall under 6131. Registered nursing professionals use codes within the 2231 to 2237 range, depending on their specialism.

What Is the Salary Range for a 6131 Job?

Salary depends on the employer, location, NHS pay band, experience, working hours, shift pattern and level of responsibility.

The National Careers Service gives healthcare assistants a general salary estimate of approximately £25,000 for a starter to £27,000 for an experienced worker, usually based on working around 37 to 40 hours each week. This is career information rather than a guaranteed wage or immigration threshold.

Readers can review the official National Careers Service healthcare assistant profile for career duties, entry routes and indicative salary information.

What Are the NHS England Pay Rates for 2026/27?

Healthcare support roles in NHS England are frequently placed at Agenda for Change Band 2 or Band 3, although the correct band depends on the evaluated responsibilities of the individual post.

From 1 April 2026, the published NHS England pay scales include:

NHS pay band Annual salary for 2026/27 Basic hourly rate
Band 2 £25,272 £12.92
Band 3 entry point £25,760 £13.17
Band 3 top point £27,476 £14.05
Band 4 £28,392 to £31,157 £14.52 to £15.93

These are England rates. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate NHS pay arrangements, and London or other qualifying locations may provide additional regional supplements.

A job does not become a code 6131 role simply because it is paid at Band 2 or Band 3. The occupation code must still reflect the duties of the post.

What Salary Is Required for Visa Sponsorship Under Code 6131?

What Salary Is Required for Visa Sponsorship Under Code 6131

The immigration salary requirement must be considered separately from normal market pay.

GOV.UK states that Health and Care Worker visa applicants will usually need to be paid at least £25,000 per year, or the relevant going rate for their job if that rate is higher. Employers must also comply with minimum wage and working-time rules.

The Immigration Salary List currently records the following figures for code 6131:

The applicable salary calculation can depend on the worker’s contracted hours, NHS or national pay scale, immigration history and the specific salary option used by the sponsor. A salary of exactly £25,000 should not automatically be assumed to qualify without checking the complete rules.

The current figures can be checked on the GOV.UK Immigration Salary List.

Is the 6131 Job Code Eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa?

As of 13 July 2026, nursing auxiliaries and assistants under occupation code 6131 are included among the jobs that can qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa.

However, the occupation code alone does not create visa eligibility. An applicant must normally have:

The employer must provide the occupation code on the Certificate of Sponsorship and confirm that the sponsored employment satisfies the relevant conditions.

What Is the Registered Nurse Workplace Requirement?

An employer may only sponsor a worker under code 6131 where the person will work in an environment in which at least one registered nurse role also exists.

The sponsor must confirm this when assigning, applying for or requesting a Certificate of Sponsorship. The information may be entered in the job description or added through an appropriate sponsor note.

Failure to provide the required confirmation may cause a Certificate of Sponsorship request to be rejected or the worker’s visa application to be refused.

This requirement is intended to distinguish genuine nursing support roles from general care positions that have been given a healthcare-related job title primarily for sponsorship purposes.

Is Code 6131 a Medium-Skilled Occupation?

GOV.UK classifies code 6131 as a medium-skilled healthcare occupation for immigration purposes.

Medium-skilled roles are subject to tighter eligibility rules than higher-skilled occupations. Code 6131 currently remains available because it is included on the Immigration Salary List, subject to its additional workplace and sponsorship conditions.

The current rules show a removal date of 31 December 2026. Home Office sponsor guidance states that time-limited entries are due to be removed by the end of 2026 unless the Migration Advisory Committee recommends their continued inclusion. The government also reserves the right to amend the date or rules.

Consequently, eligibility beyond 2026 should not be treated as confirmed.

How Should an Employer Choose the Correct Occupation Code?

An employer should compare the job’s main responsibilities with the official SOC description rather than selecting a code because it provides a preferred immigration outcome.

The assessment should consider:

Where the title is unclear, the employer can use the CASCOT occupation coding tool referenced by GOV.UK. Applicants should also ask the sponsoring employer to confirm the four-digit occupation code before applying.

What Qualifications Are Normally Required?

What Qualifications Are Normally Required

The SOC classification does not set a universal academic entry requirement for code 6131. The Office for National Statistics states that on-the-job and off-the-job training is commonly provided, while health and social care qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 may be available.

Employers may nevertheless require:

Qualifications do not replace the immigration requirements. Equally, an applicant does not automatically qualify for sponsorship merely because a college course or care certificate has been completed.

What Is the Difference Between Codes 6131, 6135 and 6136?

Occupation code Classification Typical focus
6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants Supporting nurses and healthcare professionals with patient care
6135 Care workers and home carers Supporting people with daily living, personal care and independence
6136 Senior care workers Providing care while supervising or coordinating other care workers

Code 6131 is generally associated with nursing and healthcare support. Codes 6135 and 6136 are more closely associated with adult social care.

Current immigration restrictions for care workers and senior care workers are not identical to those applying to code 6131. Employers and applicants should therefore avoid treating the three codes as interchangeable.

Final Takeaway

The 6131 job code covers nursing auxiliaries and assistants, including many healthcare support roles that help registered professionals deliver patient care.

Salaries vary by employer, NHS band, experience, location and working pattern, while visa applicants must also meet sponsorship and salary rules.

Because occupation codes depend on actual duties rather than job titles, employers and workers should check the official classification carefully. With eligibility rules due to change after December 2026, the latest GOV.UK guidance should be reviewed before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does occupation code 6131 stand for?

Occupation code 6131 stands for nursing auxiliaries and assistants under the UK Standard Occupational Classification 2020.

Is a healthcare support worker included in code 6131?

A healthcare support worker may fall under code 6131 where the main duties involve assisting nurses or other healthcare professionals with patient care. The duties and workplace matter more than the title.

Is code 6131 the same as the old 6141 code?

Code 6141 was used for nursing auxiliaries and assistants under SOC 2010. Code 6131 is the corresponding occupation under the current SOC 2020 system.

What is the typical salary for a 6131 worker?

The National Careers Service gives healthcare assistants an indicative salary range of approximately £25,000 to £27,000. NHS England Band 2 and Band 3 rates for 2026/27 range from £25,272 to £27,476 before applicable regional supplements. Actual earnings depend on the post, employer, location and working pattern.

Can a home care assistant use code 6131?

A home care assistant whose main duties involve helping people with ordinary daily living will usually be more consistent with code 6135. A community-based role may only fit 6131 where its duties genuinely amount to nursing or clinical healthcare support and the relevant workplace requirements are met.

Who decides which occupation code applies?

The sponsoring employer selects the occupation code and records it on the Certificate of Sponsorship. UK Visas and Immigration can examine whether the selected code accurately reflects the role and may refuse an application where the occupation code is inappropriate or the employment is not genuine.

Will code 6131 still qualify in 2027?

Continued eligibility is not currently guaranteed. The Immigration Salary List shows a removal date of 31 December 2026. New rules, recommendations or transitional arrangements could change the position, so employers and applicants should consult the latest GOV.UK guidance before taking action.

Important Note:

Editorial Note: This article has been reviewed against official UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office, Office for National Statistics and National Careers Service guidance.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about UK occupational classifications, employment and immigration rules. It does not constitute legal, immigration, recruitment or financial advice. Immigration rules and salary thresholds can change. Applicants and employers should check current GOV.UK guidance or seek advice from an appropriately regulated immigration professional before acting.