Hiring and Sponsoring Nannies and au pairs (SOC Code 6116)

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Hiring a nanny or au pair from overseas involves more than finding the right candidate - it requires understanding visa routes, SOC codes, salary thresholds and sponsorship obligations. This guide covers everything UK employers need to know about hiring and sponsoring nannies and au pairs under SOC code 6116.

For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, mock audit inspection readiness and mock audit preparation.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Employers

• Nannies and childcare workers fall under SOC code 6116 in the UK's occupational classification system.
• Au pairs are not covered by the Skilled Worker visa route - separate arrangements apply.
• Employers sponsoring a nanny must hold a valid sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• The going rate and minimum salary thresholds must be met for any sponsored nanny role.
• Right to work checks are mandatory before employment begins, regardless of nationality.

What Is SOC Code 6116?

SOC code 6116 covers childcare and related personal service occupations, including nannies, nursery nurses working in private households, and childminders. The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by the Home Office to determine which roles qualify for sponsored work visas and what salary thresholds apply.

Roles Covered Under SOC 6116

• Nannies working in private households
• Live-in and live-out childcare workers
• Nursery nurses employed privately
• After-school carers and childminders in domestic settings

Roles Not Covered Under SOC 6116

• Au pairs (treated as cultural exchange participants, not skilled workers)
• Nursery staff employed by registered childcare providers (different SOC codes apply)
• Teaching assistants working in schools

Can You Sponsor a Nanny on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes, nannies can be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route using SOC code 6116, provided the employer holds a valid sponsor licence and the role meets the required salary and skill thresholds. The role must also genuinely match the SOC code definition and not be a disguised form of general domestic work.

Salary Threshold for SOC 6116

As of 2025, sponsored workers must generally be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation - whichever is higher. Some roles may qualify for a lower threshold if the worker is a new entrant to the labour market. Employers should verify current thresholds on the UK government's going rates page before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.

New Entrant Rate

Nannies who are new entrants to the labour market - typically those under 26, recent graduates, or switching from a student visa - may be paid 70% of the standard going rate. This concession is time-limited and does not apply indefinitely.

Au Pairs: A Different Route Entirely

Au pairs occupy a distinct category. The UK does not have a dedicated au pair visa. Since the end of free movement in 2021, EU nationals can no longer come to the UK as au pairs under the previous arrangements. Most au pairs now come through the Youth Mobility Scheme, which allows young people from certain countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

Youth Mobility Scheme Eligibility

• Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for some nationalities)
• Available to nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and several other countries
• No employer sponsorship required - the au pair applies independently
• Work is permitted, but the applicant must not work for a single employer for more than two years

What Employers Should Know About Au Pairs

• Au pairs on the Youth Mobility Scheme have the right to work - you must still carry out a right to work check
• Pocket money arrangements may not comply with National Minimum Wage rules if the au pair is classified as a worker
• Live-in arrangements require careful structuring to avoid unintended employment law obligations

Getting a Sponsor Licence to Hire a Nanny

Private households can apply for a sponsor licence to hire a nanny from outside the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. The process involves applying to the Home Office, paying the licence fee, and demonstrating that the business - or household - meets the eligibility requirements.

Steps to Obtain a Sponsor Licence

1. Check that your household or employer entity is eligible to apply
2. Gather supporting documents, including proof of identity and evidence of a genuine vacancy
3. Submit your application through the UK Visas and Immigration online portal
4. Pay the sponsor licence fee (currently £536 for small sponsors)
5. Await a decision, which typically takes up to eight weeks
6. Once approved, assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the nanny you wish to hire

Ongoing Sponsor Duties

• Keep accurate records of the sponsored worker's contact details and right to work documents
• Report any changes in employment, salary or working hours to the Home Office
• Cooperate with any Home Office compliance visits
• Renew the sponsor licence before it expires (licences are typically granted for four years)

Right to Work Checks for Nannies and Au Pairs

All employers in the UK - including private households - are legally required to check that any worker has the right to work before employment begins. Failing to carry out a compliant check can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

How to Carry Out a Right to Work Check

1. Ask the worker to provide original documents listed in the Home Office's acceptable documents list, or use the online right to work checking service
2. Check that the documents are genuine and belong to the worker
3. Make a clear copy and record the date the check was carried out
4. Retain the copy securely for the duration of employment and for two years after it ends

Checking the Right to Work of Au Pairs

Au pairs on the Youth Mobility Scheme can use the Home Office's online share code service to prove their right to work. Employers should use the government's online checking tool and retain a copy of the result as their statutory excuse.

Key Responsibilities When Employing a Nanny

Employing a nanny - whether sponsored or not - creates a direct employment relationship. Employers must comply with all relevant employment law requirements.

Employment Law Obligations

• Pay at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, depending on the worker's age
• Provide a written statement of employment particulars from day one
• Enrol the nanny in a workplace pension if they meet the auto-enrolment criteria
• Register as an employer with HMRC and operate PAYE
• Pay employer's National Insurance contributions
• Ensure the workplace - including the home - meets basic health and safety standards

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a private family sponsor a nanny from abroad?

Yes. A private household can apply for a sponsor licence and sponsor a nanny under the Skilled Worker visa route using SOC code 6116, provided the role and salary meet the relevant thresholds.

What is the minimum salary for a sponsored nanny in the UK?

The minimum salary is the higher of £41,700 per year or the going rate for SOC code 6116. New entrant rates may apply in some circumstances. Always check the current going rates on the gov.uk website before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Do au pairs need a visa to work in the UK?

There is no dedicated au pair visa. Most au pairs come to the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme, which allows them to live and work here for up to two years. Eligibility depends on nationality and age. Employers do not need to sponsor au pairs on this route.

Is an au pair classed as an employee?

This depends on the nature of the arrangement. If an au pair works set hours, follows instructions and is integrated into the household in an employment-like way, they may be classified as a worker or employee under UK law, entitling them to minimum wage and other protections.

What right to work documents should a nanny provide?

Acceptable documents depend on the nanny's nationality and immigration status. UK and Irish nationals typically provide a passport or birth certificate plus proof of National Insurance number. Overseas nationals will usually use the online share code service. Always follow the current Home Office guidance on acceptable documents.

Does the National Minimum Wage apply to live-in nannies?

Yes. The National Minimum Wage applies to all workers regardless of whether they live in. However, certain deductions for accommodation may be permitted up to the statutory accommodation offset rate. Employers should take advice to ensure their pay arrangements are compliant.

Conclusion

Sponsoring a nanny from overseas or hiring an au pair involves navigating visa routes, salary thresholds, right to work obligations and ongoing sponsor duties. Annaizu helps UK employers manage sponsor licences, right to work checks and workforce compliance in one place - making it simpler to hire the childcare support your family needs while staying fully compliant with