What is the standard occupational classification code that must be used for issuing certificates of sponsorship for Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Workers?

When assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) in any of the Tier 2 or Tier 5 categories, sponsors must identify the most appropriate standard occupational classification (SOC) code—as described in Appendix J of the Immigration Rules and specify that SOC code on the CoS itself. In relation to the selection of SOC codes, Appendix J states:

‘Occupation codes

11. The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes are based on the SOC 2010 system designed by the Office for National Statistics, except where otherwise stated. This system is designed to cover all possible jobs.

12. References to "job" refer to the most appropriate match for the job in question, as it appears in the tables in this Appendix. The job description must correlate with the most appropriate match, according to the SOC 2010 system. The Home Office will apply the most appropriate match based on the job description in an application,