Hiring and Sponsoring Travel agency managers and proprietors (SOC Code 1225)

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Travel agency managers and proprietors play a vital role in the UK's tourism and travel industry. If your business relies on skilled professionals in this field, understanding how to sponsor them under SOC Code 1225 is essential. This guide covers everything UK employers need to know about hiring and sponsoring travel agency managers and proprietors through the Skilled Worker visa route.

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

• Travel agency managers and proprietors fall under SOC Code 1225 and are eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
• Employers must hold a valid sponsor licence before they can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• The role must meet the minimum salary threshold set by the Home Office, which was updated in April 2024.
• Right to work checks must be completed before employment begins, regardless of visa status.
• Sponsors have ongoing compliance duties including reporting changes in employment circumstances to the Home Office.

What Is SOC Code 1225?

Definition and Scope

SOC Code 1225 covers travel agency managers and proprietors. This occupational category includes individuals who plan, organise and oversee the operations of travel agencies and tour operators. Workers in this role are responsible for coordinating staff, managing bookings, advising clients on travel regulations, and ensuring the business runs efficiently.

Typical Job Duties

• Planning and coordinating travel itineraries for individual and group clients.
• Managing and supervising travel agency staff.
• Booking flights, accommodation, transport and ancillary travel services.
• Advising clients on visa requirements, travel restrictions and health regulations.
• Overseeing agency budgets, targets and financial performance.
• Ensuring compliance with industry regulations and consumer protection legislation.
• Maintaining supplier and vendor relationships with airlines, hotels and tour operators.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker Visa Under SOC Code 1225

Is SOC Code 1225 Eligible for Sponsorship?

Yes. Travel agency managers and proprietors under SOC Code 1225 appear on the eligible occupations list for the Skilled Worker visa. This means UK employers with a valid sponsor licence can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to overseas candidates applying for this role.

Minimum Salary Requirements

Following the April 2024 changes to immigration rules, the general minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants increased significantly. For SOC Code 1225, employers must pay whichever is higher of the general threshold or the going rate for the specific occupation. Employers should check the latest Home Office salary tables to confirm the applicable rate before issuing a CoS.

• The general Skilled Worker minimum salary is £41,700 per year as of April 2024.
• New entrant rates may apply in certain circumstances and are set at a lower threshold.
• Salaries must be genuine and reflect the actual duties of the role.

Skill Level Requirements

Roles under SOC Code 1225 are classified at RQF Level 6 or above, meaning they require degree-level competence or equivalent professional experience. Employers must be satisfied that the candidate genuinely meets the skill requirements for the role before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.

How to Sponsor a Travel Agency Manager or Proprietor

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before sponsoring any overseas worker, 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 portal. The application requires evidence that your business is genuine, operating lawfully, and has suitable HR systems in place to meet sponsor duties.

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship

Once licensed, you can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to your chosen candidate through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The CoS contains key information about the role, salary, start date and employment conditions. The candidate will use the CoS reference number when making their Skilled Worker visa application.

Step 3: Candidate Applies for the Skilled Worker Visa

The overseas worker applies online for their Skilled Worker visa, supplying the CoS reference, proof of English language ability, and any other supporting documents required. Processing times vary depending on where the application is made and whether priority processing is selected.

Step 4: Conduct Right to Work Checks

Before the worker starts employment, you must conduct a compliant right to work check. For visa holders, this typically involves checking the worker's share code through the Home Office online checking service. Retaining a clear record of this check protects your business in the event of a compliance audit.

Step 5: Maintain Ongoing Sponsor Compliance

Sponsor duties do not end once the worker starts. You must report certain changes to the Home Office through the SMS, including changes to salary, job role, working location or if the worker stops working for you. Failure to meet these obligations can result in sponsor licence suspension or revocation.

Sponsor Licence Duties for Employers

Reporting Obligations

As a licensed sponsor, you are required to report specific events to the Home Office within defined timeframes. These include situations where a sponsored worker does not turn up for their first day, is absent without explanation, or their role changes materially from what was stated on the CoS.

Record Keeping Requirements

• Maintain up-to-date contact details for all sponsored workers.
• Keep copies of right to work documents and visa evidence.
• Store records of recruitment decisions and salary payments.
• Retain copies of all CoS assigned and any correspondence with the Home Office.

Home Office Compliance Visits

The Home Office may conduct announced or unannounced compliance visits to assess whether your business is meeting its sponsor obligations. Having organised, accessible HR records significantly reduces the risk of adverse findings during such visits.

Immigration Rules and Recent Changes

April 2024 Salary Threshold Increases

The Home Office increased the general Skilled Worker salary threshold from £26,200 to £41,700 in April 2024. This change affects all new CoS assignments and renewals, meaning employers hiring travel agency managers under SOC Code 1225 must now offer higher salaries than previously required. Existing sponsored workers who held permission before April 4, 2024 may benefit from transitional arrangements when extending their visa.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for the Skilled Worker visa must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR Level B1 or above. This can be evidenced through an approved English language test, a degree taught in English, or by being a national of a majority English-speaking country. Employers should confirm that their candidate meets this requirement before assigning a CoS.

Immigration Skills Charge

Employers are required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge when assigning a CoS for most Skilled Worker roles. The charge is £1,000 per year for medium and large sponsors and £364 per year for small sponsors and charities. This must be paid upfront for the full duration of the CoS before it can be assigned.

Recruiting Overseas Travel Agency Managers: Practical Considerations

Resident Labour Market Test

The Resident Labour Market Test was abolished under the current Skilled Worker visa rules. Employers are no longer required to advertise a role in the UK before sponsoring an overseas candidate. However, it remains good practice to document your recruitment process to demonstrate that the hire is genuine and the salary reflects the market rate.

Genuine Vacancy Requirement

The Home Office requires that all sponsored roles represent genuine vacancies. This means the job must actually exist within your business, the duties must align with those expected under SOC Code 1225, and the salary must be authentic. Sponsors found to have assigned CoS for roles that do not genuinely exist risk losing their licence.

Sponsoring Proprietors

Sponsoring a proprietor presents additional complexity. Where the individual being sponsored has or will have a significant ownership stake in the sponsoring business, the Home Office will scrutinise the application more carefully to ensure the arrangement is not being used to circumvent the immigration rules. Legal advice is recommended in these situations.

Costs Involved in Sponsoring a Travel Agency Manager

Summary of Key Fees

• Sponsor licence application fee: £536 for small sponsors, £1,682 for medium or large sponsors.
• Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £239 per CoS assigned.
• Immigration Skills Charge: £364 or £1,000 per year depending on sponsor size.
• Skilled Worker visa application fee: paid by the applicant, currently starting from £827 for up to three years.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: paid by the applicant at £1,035 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOC Code 1225?

SOC Code 1225 refers to travel agency managers and proprietors. It covers individuals who manage and oversee the operations of travel agencies and tour operators, including planning itineraries, coordinating staff and advising clients on travel requirements.

Can I sponsor a travel agency manager on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. SOC Code 1225 is eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. You must hold a valid sponsor licence and the role must meet the minimum salary threshold, which is currently £41,700 per year following the April 2024 changes.

What salary do I need to pay a sponsored travel agency manager?