Hiring and Sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists (SOC Code 2224)

‍

Hiring psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists in the UK requires navigating specific immigration rules, salary thresholds and sponsorship obligations. This guide covers everything employers need to know about sponsoring overseas workers under SOC Code 2224, from eligibility to compliance.

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

For 2026 checks, cross-check the latest GOV.UK immigration skills charge before making sponsorship or visa decisions.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Employers

• Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists fall under SOC Code 2224 on the UK's Skilled Worker visa route.
• Employers must hold a valid sponsor licence to hire overseas workers in this occupation.
• The role must meet the minimum salary threshold set by the Home Office for SOC 2224.
• Cognitive behaviour therapists and psychotherapists are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa if employed by the NHS or an organisation providing NHS-commissioned services.
• Right to work checks are mandatory before employment begins, regardless of visa route.

What Is SOC Code 2224?

SOC Code 2224 covers psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists. These are regulated and specialist mental health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat individuals experiencing psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Workers in this category may operate in NHS settings, private clinics, charitable organisations or independent practices.

Roles Included Under SOC 2224

• Psychotherapist
• Cognitive behaviour therapist (CBT therapist)
• Psychological therapist
• IAPT therapist (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
• Child and adolescent psychotherapist
• Couples and family therapist

Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility for SOC 2224

To sponsor a psychotherapist or cognitive behaviour therapist under the Skilled Worker visa, the role and candidate must meet the following requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration.

Job Eligibility Requirements

• The occupation must appear on the eligible occupations list - SOC 2224 qualifies.
• The role must be at RQF Level 6 or above (degree level or equivalent).
• The salary must meet the general threshold or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher.

Candidate Requirements

• The worker must have a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor.
• They must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency at the required level.
• They must show they can support themselves financially unless the employer certifies maintenance.

Salary Thresholds for Psychotherapists and CBT Therapists

From April 2024, the general Skilled Worker salary threshold increased significantly. Employers sponsoring workers under SOC 2224 must pay the higher of the general threshold or the specific going rate for this occupation code.

Current Salary Requirements

• General Skilled Worker threshold: £41,700 per year.
• New entrant rate (for those early in their career or switching from a student visa): £33,400 per year.
• Going rate for SOC 2224: employers should check the latest Home Office guidance as going rates are updated periodically.

Salaries must reflect genuine market rates and be comparable to what a settled worker in the same role would earn. Undercutting pay to meet only the minimum threshold can raise compliance concerns during a Home Office audit.

Health and Care Worker Visa for SOC 2224

Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists may qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, which carries lower application fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. This route is only available where the employer is the NHS, an NHS-funded body, or an organisation providing services in fulfilment of an NHS contract.

Advantages of the Health and Care Worker Visa

• No Immigration Health Surcharge for the worker or their dependants.
• Reduced visa application fees compared to the standard Skilled Worker route.
• Priority processing available at additional cost.
• Workers can bring dependants on the same basis as the standard Skilled Worker visa.

Employer Eligibility for This Route

• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts.
• GP surgeries and primary care providers funded by the NHS.
• Private providers delivering NHS-commissioned mental health services.
• Social care organisations that provide services under NHS commissioning arrangements.

How to Sponsor a Psychotherapist or CBT Therapist

Sponsoring an overseas worker involves several steps. Employers without an existing sponsor licence must apply for one before issuing any Certificate of Sponsorship.

Step-by-Step Sponsorship Process

1. Apply for a sponsor licence through the UK Visas and Immigration online portal if you do not already hold one.
2. Wait for the licence to be granted - standard processing typically takes up to eight weeks.
3. Identify your candidate and confirm the role meets SOC 2224 requirements and salary thresholds.
4. Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
5. The worker applies for their visa using the CoS reference number, paying the relevant fees and Immigration Health Surcharge.
6. Carry out a right to work check before the worker's first day of employment.
7. Maintain accurate records and report any changes to the worker's circumstances via the SMS.

Professional Registration Requirements

Unlike doctors or nurses, psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy are not fully regulated professions in the UK in the same statutory sense. However, professional accreditation is widely expected by employers and commissioning bodies.

Recognised Professional Bodies

• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC).
• UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) - the leading body for CBT practitioners.

NHS employers and many private providers require BABCP accreditation or equivalent for cognitive behaviour therapists. Employers should verify that overseas candidates hold qualifications and memberships that align with UK standards before assigning a CoS.

Right to Work Checks for SOC 2224 Workers

Every employer in the UK must carry out a right to work check before hiring any individual. For sponsored workers, this check must be repeated when their visa is due to expire and any time their immigration status changes.

Acceptable Methods for Right to Work Checks

• Online check via the Home Office right to work checking service using the worker's share code.
• Manual document check for those with physical immigration documents, following the prescribed list A and list B document process.
• Identity Service Provider (IDSP) check for British and Irish citizens using a valid passport.

Failing to carry out checks correctly can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, as well as damage to your sponsor licence rating.

Sponsor Licence Compliance Duties

Once you have sponsored a psychotherapist or CBT therapist, your compliance obligations continue throughout their employment. The Home Office can conduct announced or unannounced audits of licensed sponsors at any time.

Ongoing Sponsor Duties

• Keep contact details, job title, salary and work location up to date on the SMS.
• Report any absences of ten or more consecutive working days that are not authorised.
• Report if the worker stops working for you, changes their role significantly, or their circumstances change in a way relevant to their visa.
• Retain copies of relevant documents including passport, visa, qualifications and right to work evidence.
• Cooperate fully with any Home Office compliance visit or audit.

Shortage Occupation and Immigration Salary List Considerations

The Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024. Roles on the ISL benefit from a 20 percent discount on the going rate threshold, though the general threshold of £41,700 still applies in full. Employers should check whether SOC 2224 appears on the current ISL when planning their recruitment.

What This Means in Practice

• If SOC 2224 is listed on the ISL, the going rate for the role is reduced by 20 percent, which can make it easier to meet thresholds at lower salary bands.
• The general threshold of £41,700 is not discounted by ISL status - only the going rate is affected.
• Employers should check the latest Home Office Immigration Salary List before assigning any CoS.

Recruiting Overseas Psychotherapists and CBT Therapists

International recruitment for mental health professionals has grown significantly in recent years due to ongoing domestic workforce shortages. Many CBT therapists and psychotherapists are recruited from countries including South Africa, Australia, India and parts of the European Union.

Key Recruitment Considerations

• Verify that overseas qualifications are recognised by the relevant UK professional body before progressing a candidate.
• Allow sufficient time for any overseas credential assessment or top-up training that may be required.
• Factor in visa processing times - standard Skilled Worker visa decisions typically take three weeks, with priority options available.
• Ensure the candidate's English language meets the required standard, typically B1 on the CEFR scale for most Skilled Worker applications.

Frequently Asked Questions