UKSponsorGrader

Leisure and sports managers

SOC 1224 · Managers, Directors and Senior Officials

Skilled Worker Eligible — Minimum salary: £34,100.00/yr (£17.49/hr)

Salary vs Visa Threshold

Market median is below the going rate. You may need an above-average salary offer to qualify.
10th Percentile £19,304.00
25th Percentile £25,384.00
Median Salary £33,342.00
75th Percentile £41,872.00
Going Rate (standard) £34,100.00
Market Median £33,342.00

Top Cities for Sponsorship

Cities with the most Skilled Worker sponsors.

1
London
Sponsors
33,777
2
Birmingham
Sponsors
2,877
3
Manchester
Sponsors
2,705
4
Leicester
Sponsors
1,334
5
Glasgow
Sponsors
1,229
6
Bristol
Sponsors
1,187
7
Edinburgh
Sponsors
1,060
8
Leeds
Sponsors
1,013
9
Nottingham
Sponsors
982
10
Ilford
Sponsors
911

Skilled Worker Visa Trend

Latest data: 2025 Q4

Visas Granted 13,795
Refused 1,718
Approval Rate 84.34%
YoY Change -25.3%

View full Skilled Worker statistics →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for Leisure and sports managers on a Skilled Worker visa?
The going rate for Leisure and sports managers (SOC 1224) is £34,100.00 per year. The actual minimum you need is the higher of the going rate and the general salary threshold (£38,700 for most applicants).
How many UK employers sponsor Leisure and sports managers roles?
There are currently 118,283 active UK employers licensed to sponsor Skilled Worker visas. Note: not all sponsors actively recruit for every SOC code — the count reflects total Skilled Worker licence holders.
Which UK cities have the most sponsorship opportunities?
The top cities by number of Skilled Worker sponsors are: London (33,777), Birmingham (2,877), Manchester (2,705), Leicester (1,334), Glasgow (1,229).

Also see: Leisure and sports managers salary details