Science or engineering technician in the UK: your Skilled Worker visa, step by step

A code defined by what it is not

The related titles for code 3119 are school technicians, textile consultants, and science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified. The last of those is the important one. Technicians whose work fits a more specific code, such as laboratory technicians, belong under that code instead. Code 3119 collects the rest. Because the code is broad, the sponsor's job description carries extra weight. The sponsor selects the code for the Certificate of Sponsorship. The duties have to justify the choice. A technician whose role is really lab-based should ask whether a laboratory code is the honest fit, since that code has its own rate and its own ISL position.

EngTech: a title, not a licence

The Engineering Council registers technicians as EngTech. Registration is voluntary. Nothing in law stops an unregistered person working as a technician. What the register protects is the title. EngTech, along with CEng, IEng and ICTTech, may only be used by registrants. Nationality is no bar to registration, and assessment runs through a licensed professional engineering institution. There is no separate international assessment. The Engineering Council has mutual recognition agreements with several countries. For the visa, none of this matters. A sponsor can hire a technician without EngTech.

Pay under code 3119

The salary rule has a threshold half and a going rate half. Threshold: £41,700 (UK Home Office, effective July 22, 2025) in general, £33,400 where the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or another reduced-threshold rule covers you. Going rate: the minimum the Home Office attaches to the code. Both halves must be met. The higher of the two is the binding figure.

For a production technician the going rate is £34,600 (UK Home Office, effective July 22, 2025). Code 3119 is not on the ISL, so the threshold is £41,700. £41,700 is the larger figure. The offer must therefore be at least £41,700.

The lower going rate of £28,000 (UK Home Office, effective July 22, 2025) only applies where a reduced-threshold rule such as new entrant is in play.

Reduced thresholds

A reduced general threshold can apply to new entrants. That means early-career applicants, or people switching from the Student or Graduate routes. Holders of a relevant PhD can also qualify. This page leaves the reduced figure out. Whether it applies depends on your own history.

Alternatives

• New entrant or PhD reduced threshold. Described above. The figure is not given here.
• In-country switching. A technician already in the UK on another visa can often switch to Skilled Worker once a licensed sponsor hires them.
• Canada Provincial Nominee Programs. A provincial nomination carries 600 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points. Provinces run a range of skilled streams.

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