Hiring and Sponsoring Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors (SOC Code 1221)

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Hiring a hotel or accommodation manager from overseas is a practical option for UK hospitality businesses that cannot fill senior operational roles from the resident labour market. SOC Code 1221 covers managers and proprietors in hotels and accommodation, and understanding how the Skilled Worker visa route applies to this occupation is essential before you begin recruiting internationally.

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Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Hospitality Employers

• SOC Code 1221 covers hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors and is eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
• You must hold a valid sponsor licence before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship to an overseas candidate.
• The role must meet the minimum salary threshold set by the Home Office, which changes periodically.
• Candidates must demonstrate relevant experience or qualifications in hospitality management.
• Right to work checks are mandatory before employment begins, regardless of immigration route.

What Is SOC Code 1221?

Occupation Definition

SOC Code 1221 refers to managers and proprietors working in hotels, guest houses, hostels, bed and breakfasts, holiday parks, and similar accommodation businesses. These individuals are responsible for the overall running of the establishment, including guest services, staffing, financial performance, and regulatory compliance.

Typical Job Titles Under This Code

• Hotel Manager
• General Manager (Hotel)
• Accommodation Manager
• Guest House Proprietor
• Hostel Manager
• Holiday Park Manager
• Bed and Breakfast Owner-Manager

Key Responsibilities

Workers in this occupation typically carry out the following duties across their role.

• Planning and managing day-to-day hotel or accommodation operations
• Setting and monitoring service quality and guest satisfaction standards
• Managing budgets, forecasting revenue, and controlling costs
• Recruiting, training, and supervising front-of-house and back-of-house staff
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety, licensing, and fire regulations
• Handling guest complaints and resolving operational issues promptly
• Overseeing bookings, occupancy management, and pricing strategies
• Liaising with suppliers, contractors, and local authorities

Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility for SOC 1221

Is This Role Visa-Eligible?

Yes. SOC Code 1221 appears on the list of eligible occupations for the UK Skilled Worker visa. This means UK hospitality businesses with a sponsor licence can recruit overseas nationals into hotel and accommodation manager roles, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.

Points-Based Requirements

The Skilled Worker visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants must score at least 70 points by meeting mandatory and tradeable criteria. The following table summarises the key requirements.

• Valid job offer from a licensed UK sponsor - mandatory
• Role at or above the required skill level - mandatory
• English language proficiency at B1 level or above - mandatory
• Salary meeting or exceeding the applicable threshold - mandatory
• Relevant qualifications or professional experience - may contribute tradeable points

Salary Thresholds

The Home Office sets minimum salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visa roles. For SOC 1221, the salary offered must meet the higher of the general threshold or the going rate for the specific occupation code. Employers should check the latest figures on gov.uk before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship, as thresholds are updated periodically and failure to meet them will result in a visa refusal.

How to Sponsor a Hotel or Accommodation Manager

Step 1 - Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before you can employ someone on a Skilled Worker visa, your business must hold a valid UK sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. If you do not already have one, you will need to apply through the UK Visas and Immigration online service and demonstrate that your organisation is genuine, solvent, and capable of meeting sponsor duties.

Step 2 - Identify the Candidate and Confirm Eligibility

Once licensed, identify your preferred candidate and confirm they meet the visa eligibility criteria. This includes checking their English language ability, relevant experience or qualifications, and that the role genuinely falls within SOC 1221 responsibilities.

Step 3 - Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship

Using the Sponsor Management System, assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the candidate. The CoS must accurately reflect the job title, salary, start date, and SOC code. Errors on the CoS can delay or prevent a successful visa application.

Step 4 - Candidate Applies for the Visa

The overseas national then applies for a Skilled Worker visa online, using the CoS reference number. They will also need to pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and provide supporting documents including their passport, English language evidence, and proof of funds.

Step 5 - Carry Out Right to Work Checks

Once the visa is granted and the worker arrives in the UK, you must conduct a right to work check before their first day of employment. For sponsored workers, this typically involves checking their visa vignette or eVisa status using the Home Office online checking service.

Sponsor Licence Duties When Employing SOC 1221 Workers

Ongoing Compliance Obligations

Holding a sponsor licence comes with significant ongoing responsibilities. Hospitality employers must actively manage their sponsored workers and maintain records throughout the duration of employment.

• Keep contact details, job title, salary, and work location up to date on the Sponsor Management System
• Report any significant changes to a sponsored worker's role or circumstances within ten working days
• Report absences without permission or if a worker stops working for you
• Retain copies of documents proving right to work and identity
• Cooperate fully with Home Office compliance visits

What Happens If You Fail to Meet Sponsor Duties?

The Home Office takes sponsor compliance seriously. Failure to meet your duties can result in a downgrade of your licence rating, suspension, or full revocation. If your licence is revoked, your sponsored workers lose their right to remain in the UK, which causes significant disruption to your business and serious harm to the individuals involved.

Recruitment Considerations for Hospitality Employers

Resident Labour Market

While the Skilled Worker route does not require a formal Resident Labour Market Test for most roles, it is good practice to demonstrate that you have actively sought suitable candidates from within the UK before recruiting internationally. This supports your position if the Home Office ever scrutinises your hiring decisions.

Qualifications and Experience

There is no single mandatory qualification for SOC 1221 roles, but candidates should be able to demonstrate relevant experience in hospitality or hotel management. Degrees in hospitality management, business administration, or equivalent professional qualifications are commonly held by applicants and can strengthen a visa application.

Overseas Qualifications

If the candidate holds qualifications from outside the UK, these may need to be assessed for equivalence. UK ENIC, formerly known as NARIC, provides official statements of comparability for overseas qualifications and can confirm whether a foreign certificate meets the equivalent UK standard.

Salary and Costs for Employers

Visa-Related Costs

Sponsoring an overseas worker involves several fees that employers should budget for carefully.

• Sponsor licence application fee - varies depending on the size of your organisation
• Certificate of Sponsorship fee - payable per sponsored worker
• Immigration Skills Charge - currently £1,000 per year for medium and large sponsors, £364 per year for small sponsors and charities
• Visa application fee - paid by the applicant but sometimes covered by the employer
• Immigration Health Surcharge - paid by the applicant for each year of the visa

Salary Competitiveness

Beyond visa compliance, offering a competitive salary is important for attracting experienced hotel managers from the international market. Candidates with a strong track record in luxury or high-volume hospitality will expect remuneration that reflects their skills and the demands of the role.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for a Skilled Worker visa in the hotel and accommodation manager category must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR B1 level or above. This can be satisfied in several ways.

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI
• Holding a degree taught in English and recognised by UK ENIC
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country as defined by the Home Office
• Having previously been granted leave in a category that required the same English language standard

Settlement and Long-Term Employment

Route to Indefinite Leave to Remain

Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK, provided they have maintained their visa status throughout and continued to meet the salary requirements. For hospitality employers, this means a sponsored hotel manager who performs well could become permanently settled in the UK, reducing the need for future visa renewals.