Social media manager jobs with UK visa sponsorship
What social media manager 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 social media manager job usually has to pay at least £41,700 a year: the general salary threshold, which is above the £37,000 going rate for SOC 2493 (public relations professionals). A new entrant can be paid from £33,400. Figures from the Home Office going-rate tables, updated 11 November 2025.
Social media managers run a brand’s presence across platforms: content, community, reporting and the plan behind it.
Worked example: SOC 2493
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 £37,000 (going rate) | £41,700 |
| New entrant | The higher of £33,400 (new-entrant minimum) and £33,400 (70% of the going rate) | £33,400 |
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?
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SOC 2493 Public relations professionals
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 116 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: Other Service Activities (19); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (16); and Information and Communications (14).
The most common nationalities among them: United States (22) and China (13).
| Occupation code | Jul to Sep 2025 | Oct to Dec 2025 | Jan to Mar 2026 (provisional) | Apr to Jun 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2493 | 40 | 25 | 22 | 29 |
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 social media manager jobs
SOC 2493 (public relations professionals) is on the Home Office table of graduate-level occupations (RQF level 6 and above), which is open to new Skilled Worker applications.
For public relations professionals (SOC 2493), the going rate of £37,000 is below the £41,700 general threshold, so the general threshold is the bar for an experienced hire: at least £41,700 a year. A new entrant can be paid from £33,400.
The Home Office lists these job titles under 2493: Social media managers, Press officers, Public relations officers and Public relations professionals (other).
What sponsors look for in social media manager hires
Social media managers are named under public relations professionals, alongside press and PR officers. The going rate sits below the general threshold, so the general threshold usually sets the minimum for experienced hires.
Agencies and in-house brand teams both hire for it. Check that the advert describes management of social channels, not only posting, because the duties have to match the code.
Social media roles reward a visible track record: campaigns you have run, accounts you have grown, and what the numbers showed. Agencies often hire graduates as executives first, so check the level of the role.
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 social media manager on a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually the higher of £41,700 and the going rate for the occupation code. For SOC 2493 that is £41,700 a year, and a new entrant can be paid from £33,400. 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 social media manager job?
The employer chooses the code from the duties of the job, not the title. Visavi maps social media manager roles to SOC 2493 (public relations professionals). Job titles the Home Office lists under 2493 include Social media managers, Press officers, Public relations officers and Public relations professionals (other).
Can a graduate social media manager 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 2493 the new-entrant rate is £33,400. 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 social media manager jobs use?
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 116 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas to main applicants applying from outside the UK for SOC 2493 (public relations professionals).
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