Data scientist jobs with UK visa sponsorship
What data scientist roles pay against the Skilled Worker going rate, and who can sponsor.
Checked against gov.uk on
The short answer
For a Skilled Worker visa, a data scientist job usually has to pay at least £55,100 a year: the going rate for SOC 2433 (actuaries, economists and statisticians), which is above the £41,700 general salary threshold. A new entrant can be paid from £38,600. Figures from the Home Office going-rate tables, updated 11 November 2025.
Data scientists build statistical and machine learning models that predict, classify or explain, then help a business act on the results.
Worked example: SOC 2433
The rule on gov.uk is whichever figure is higher. Here is the sum for this occupation code.
| Who | How it is worked out | At least |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced hire | The higher of £41,700 (general salary threshold) and £55,100 (going rate) | £55,100 |
| New entrant | The higher of £33,400 (new-entrant minimum) and £38,600 (70% of the going rate) | £38,600 |
Who counts as a new entrant is set out on gov.uk: for example, people under 26, or people on (or recently on) a Student visa at degree level or a Graduate visa. The total stay on new-entrant rates cannot be more than 4 years, including time on a Graduate visa. Read when you can be paid less on gov.uk.
How many visas were granted for these occupation codes?
-
SOC 2433 Actuaries, economists and statisticians
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 337 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas to main applicants applying from outside the UK for this occupation code.
The industries sponsors gave most often for these visas: Financial and Insurance Activities (237); Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (45); and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (11).
The most common nationalities among them: France (63), India (53) and China (36).
| Occupation code | Jul to Sep 2025 | Oct to Dec 2025 | Jan to Mar 2026 (provisional) | Apr to Jun 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2433 | 97 | 85 | 89 | 66 |
Visas applied for from outside the UK only: switches inside the UK, for example from a Student or Graduate visa, are not counted. The sponsor chooses the occupation code and the industry. A small number of grants that could not be matched to a certificate of sponsorship are not included. Figures for January to June 2026 are provisional. Source: Home Office, Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026 (published 27 August 2026). Immigration system statistics data tables.
What the rules say for data scientist jobs
SOC 2433 (actuaries, economists and statisticians) is on the Home Office table of graduate-level occupations (RQF level 6 and above), which is open to new Skilled Worker applications.
Data scientist and actuary jobs share SOC 2433, so the going-rate figures and visa statistics on this page are the same as on the actuary page. What differs is the work itself and what sponsors look for, below.
For actuaries, economists and statisticians (SOC 2433), the going rate of £55,100 is above the £41,700 general threshold, so the going rate is the bar for an experienced hire: at least £55,100 a year. A new entrant can be paid from £38,600.
The Home Office lists these job titles under 2433: Statistical data scientists; Actuaries and actuarial analysts; Economists; Mathematicians; Statisticians; and Actuaries, economists and statisticians (other).
What sponsors look for in data scientist hires
The Home Office table names statistical data scientists alongside statisticians, actuaries and economists, which is why this code carries a strong going rate. Research-heavy teams in finance, insurance, retail and health tech hire for it.
Many postings ask for a postgraduate degree. That does not change the salary maths on its own, but a relevant PhD can mean a lower salary applies under the rules, so read the gov.uk guidance if that applies to you.
Not every job called data scientist sits under this code. Posts built mainly around software, data pipelines or putting models into production can be coded as programmers and software development professionals (SOC 2134) or IT business analysts, architects and systems designers (SOC 2133), each with its own going rate. The duties in the job description decide the code, so read them closely and ask which code the employer plans to use.
Entry-level titles include junior data scientist and graduate analyst in a data science team. Expect a technical interview on statistics and modelling, and often a take-home task. Being able to explain a model simply matters as much as building it.
Rules change: always check gov.uk for the current thresholds, and when you can be paid less.
The evidence on every job in Visavi
AI VERDICT
Strong apply
Your profile fits, and the advert says they can sponsor.
UK SPONSOR REGISTER
- Organisation
- Northbank Analytics
- Town
- London
- Type and rating
- Worker (A rating)
- Route
- Skilled Worker
FROM THIS ADVERT
"We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route."
WHAT THIS MEANS
The advert says they can sponsor. Those are their words, not a promise they will sponsor you.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a data scientist on a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually the higher of £41,700 and the going rate for the occupation code. For SOC 2433 that is £55,100 a year, and a new entrant can be paid from £38,600. The figures come from the Home Office tables updated 11 November 2025; check gov.uk before you rely on them.
Which occupation code is a data scientist job?
The employer chooses the code from the duties of the job, not the title. Visavi maps data scientist roles to SOC 2433 (actuaries, economists and statisticians). Job titles the Home Office lists under 2433 include Statistical data scientists, Actuaries and actuarial analysts, Economists and Mathematicians.
Can a graduate data scientist be paid the new-entrant rate?
Yes, if they count as a new entrant under the published rules: for example, people under 26, or people on (or recently on) a Student visa at degree level or a Graduate visa. For SOC 2433 the new-entrant rate is £38,600. It can be used for up to 4 years in total, including time on a Graduate visa. Check when you can be paid less on gov.uk.
How many Skilled Worker visas were granted for the occupation codes data scientist jobs use?
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 337 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas to main applicants applying from outside the UK for SOC 2433 (actuaries, economists and statisticians).
Sources
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (going rates) Updated 11 November 2025
- Skilled Worker visa: your job
- Skilled Worker visa: when you can be paid less
- Home Office: sponsored work visas by occupation and industry Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026, published 27 August 2026