SOC code 6129: Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified

You can sponsor a new worker in SOC code 6129 (Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified) only while the code is on the immigration salary list, and only with a certificate of sponsorship assigned before 31 December 2026. The lowest salary is £33,400 a year for a 37.5-hour week.

New hire on a Skilled Worker visaYes, if listedcertificate assigned before 31 December 2026
Lowest salary£33,400a year on 37.5 hours
ListSalary listonly some jobs in the code, listed below
Skills charge£480 or £1,320a year per worker, small or charity / medium or large

Figures from Appendix Skilled Occupations, Immigration Rules.

Who you can sponsor in SOC code 6129

This is a job below degree level (RQF 3 to 5). Since 22 July 2025 such jobs can only be sponsored for new hires while they appear on a list: here, the immigration salary list.

The list does not cover every job in the code: only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders. A role outside that wording counts as a transitional job, open only to workers already sponsored in it before 22 July 2025.

After 31 December 2026 a certificate can no longer be assigned on the list. Workers you already sponsor in this code can still extend with you.

SOC code 6129 in the official tables

The row for 6129 in Appendix Skilled Occupations and the two lists, as published
As published	Immigration Salary List only: While listed; otherwise only workers with permission from before 22 July 2025
Skill level	RQF 3 to 5
Going rate	£33,400 a year (37.5 hours a week)
New entrant rate (70%)	£33,400
Immigration salary list	Listed until 31 December 2026: only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders
Temporary shortage list	Not listed
Health and Care Worker visa	No

Lowest salary for other weekly hours

The going rate is pro-rated for the contracted hours (pay for hours over 48 a week does not count); the £33,400 floor stays the same whatever the hours
Hours a week	Lowest salary
20	£33,400
30	£33,400
37.5 (the standard week)	£33,400
40	£35,627
48	£42,752

Home Office fees for one hire under 6129

The licence fee once, then for each worker the £525 certificate plus the yearly skills charge
Your business	Licence fee, once	One worker, 3 years	One worker, 5 years
Small, or a charity	£611	£1,965	£2,925
Medium or large	£1,682	£4,485	£7,125

Job titles in SOC code 6129

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

The duties decide the code, not the title alone. When a title could fit two codes, the CASCOT coding tool helps you pick.

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