Master prompt
Skilled Worker visa - RQF Level mapping (Appendix Skilled Worker)
Map an Indian qualification to RQF Level 3 / 6 / 7 / 8 for Skilled Worker eligibility under SW 6.1 to SW 6.4; covers degree-level vs A-level routes, SOC code requirements, edge cases.
UKCredential evaluationSkilled WorkerRQF LevelAppendix Skilled WorkerSW 6.1SOC code
You are mapping [CLIENT_NAME]'s Indian qualifications to the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for a Skilled Worker visa application sponsored by [EMPLOYER_NAME] for the role of [JOB_TITLE] (SOC code [SOC_CODE]). The Immigration Rules (Appendix Skilled Worker, paragraphs SW 6.1 to SW 6.4) require that the job is at the required skill level for the SOC code, and that the applicant either: (a) holds a qualification at that level, OR (b) has equivalent verified work experience.
CLIENT SUMMARY
- Name: [CLIENT_NAME]
- Sponsor: [EMPLOYER_NAME]
- Role: [JOB_TITLE]
- SOC 2020 code: [SOC_CODE]
- Indian qualifications:
[INDIAN_QUALIFICATIONS]
- Years of experience: [YEARS_EXPERIENCE]
- CoS reference: [CERTIFICATE_OF_SPONSORSHIP_REF]
§1 - LOOK UP THE SOC CODE'S REQUIRED RQF LEVEL
Per the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker eligibility tables
(Appendix Skilled Occupations + Going Rates):
[SOC_CODE] requires skill level: RQF Level [3 / 6 / 7] (state which)
Typical mappings (verify against current Appendix Skilled Occupations):
- SOC 2136 Programmers and software development professionals: RQF 6
- SOC 2231 Nurses (with NMC PIN): RQF 6
- SOC 2423 Management consultants and business analysts: RQF 6
- SOC 2431 Architects: RQF 6
- SOC 1136 Information technology directors: RQF 6
- SOC 6135 Care workers and home carers: RQF 3 (Health and Care Worker
route - separate route under Appendix Health and Care Worker, but
skill level threshold same)
- SOC 5223 Metal working production and maintenance fitters: RQF 3
If [SOC_CODE] is not on the eligible-occupations list, the Skilled
Worker visa is not available - flag immediately and recommend Global
Talent / Innovator Founder / other route.
§2 - MAP INDIAN QUALIFICATIONS TO RQF
Apply the ECCTIS / UK ENIC comparability tables (these are the agreed
mappings UKVI uses):
INDIAN QUALIFICATION RQF EQUIVALENT
--------------------------------------------------------
10+2 (Class 12 / Higher Secondary) RQF 3 (A-level)
ITI Diploma / Polytechnic Diploma RQF 3 (some 4, verify)
3-year Bachelor's (BA / BCom / BSc) RQF 6 (Honours)
4-year Bachelor's (BTech / BE / BArch / RQF 6 (Honours)
Pharm.D / LLB integrated)
5-year integrated Master's RQF 7
2-year Master's (MA / MCom / MSc / RQF 7
MTech / ME / MBA / LLM)
PhD / DM / MCh RQF 8
MBBS (5.5y inc. internship) Comparable to UK
Bachelor of Medicine
(RQF 7 for content,
but practice = GMC
registration, separate
from RQF)
CA Final (ICAI) RQF 7 (per ECCTIS
precedent, verify
per case)
CMA Final (ICMAI) RQF 7 (verify)
CS Final (ICSI) RQF 7 (verify)
For [CLIENT_NAME]'s highest qualification on [INDIAN_QUALIFICATIONS]
(first line), state the mapped RQF level.
§3 - APPLY THE SKILL-LEVEL TEST UNDER SW 6.1 TO SW 6.4
The Immigration Rules require the JOB to be at the SOC code's skill
level. The QUALIFICATION test is the standard way to evidence the
applicant has the right level of skill. Other paths:
(a) Qualification at or above required RQF level (most common for
Indian degree-holders applying for RQF 6 jobs)
(b) Equivalent experience - the applicant has been doing the job at
the required level for relevant time; the sponsor's CoS narrative
should evidence this
(c) For RQF 3 occupations: GCSE / O-level equivalent (10th standard
from CBSE / ICSE / state board); rarely an issue for Indian
applicants
§4 - VERDICT FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
State one of:
(a) HIGHEST QUALIFICATION MEETS REQUIREMENT: client's mapped RQF
level equals or exceeds [SOC_CODE]'s required RQF level. Proceed
with ECCTIS VNS to evidence equivalency.
(b) HIGHEST QUALIFICATION DOES NOT MEET: but experience does. Rely
on equivalent-experience path; CoS narrative critical.
(c) NEITHER MEETS: Skilled Worker route not available. Consider
Health and Care Worker, Graduate route post-UK-study, Global
Talent, Spouse route, etc.
For (a) and (b), state the precise evidence to provide:
- VNS from ECCTIS confirming RQF mapping
- Original degree certificate + transcripts
- Sponsor's CoS confirming skill-level test met
§5 - SALARY THRESHOLD CROSS-CHECK
Independent of skill level, [CLIENT_NAME] must also meet the salary
threshold. For most SOC codes (general threshold as at 4 April 2024 -
verify current):
- GBP 38,700 general threshold (rising periodically - verify)
- GBP 30,960 new entrant (under 26 / recent graduate / extending
student visa)
- SOC-specific going rate (Appendix Skilled Occupations)
- Higher of the two applies
Health and Care Worker route has lower thresholds (currently around
GBP 23,200 - verify) - separate eligibility track.
Flag if the role pays below threshold - no amount of qualification
mapping fixes a salary shortfall.
§6 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Independent of RQF mapping, [CLIENT_NAME] needs B1 CEFR English. Paths:
- SELT (IELTS Life Skills B1, Trinity GESE 5, etc.)
- National of majority-English-speaking country (not applicable for
Indian nationals - except via passport of a listed country)
- Degree taught in English with ECCTIS English Language Assessment
(cheaper than re-doing an IELTS for many Indian degree-holders)
- Already passed B1+ in a previous UK application within 4 years
For Indian-medium degrees taught in English (typical for IIT / IIM /
NIT / BITS / VIT / SRM / private engineering colleges affiliated to
state universities), ECCTIS English Language Assessment is the
default route.
§7 - DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR THE SKILLED WORKER LODGEMENT
□ ECCTIS VNS (Visa and Nationality Statement) - this prompt's output
□ ECCTIS English Language Assessment (if relying on degree-English)
□ Indian degree certificate (original)
□ Indian transcripts / marks-sheets (full set)
□ Sponsor's Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) - sponsor-issued
□ Passport (10y+ validity preferred; minimum 6m)
□ TB test certificate (if applicable per country list)
□ Sponsor licence number cross-referenced in CoS
§8 - COMMON PITFALLS
(a) 3-year Indian Bachelor's degree applied to RQF 6 job: some Home
Office caseworkers historically queried 3y degrees vs UK 3y
Honours degrees. Practice has settled: ECCTIS maps UGC-recognised
3y Bachelor's to RQF 6. VNS is essential to head off queries.
(b) Distance / open-university Indian degrees (IGNOU, etc.): may map
lower OR get queried. Verify before relying.
(c) Sponsor's HR insisting on "UK NARIC" letter when the body is now
ECCTIS - same organisation, name changed (NARIC -> ENIC -> ECCTIS
Ltd as operator). Educate the sponsor; the letter is the same.
(d) Composite / dual-degree programmes: ECCTIS issues a single
statement covering both - useful for IIM PGP (often mapped as
RQF 7 Master's despite being labelled "Postgraduate Programme in
Management" rather than MBA).
(e) Outdated qualification names (e.g. pre-2005 "BE" vs current
"BTech") - ECCTIS handles these; supply convocation date.
§9 - TIMING AND COST SUMMARY
Order ECCTIS VNS now (standard 10 BD or 5 BD expedited)
Total ECCTIS cost: approximately GBP 99.50 + GBP 60 if expedited
Lodge Skilled Worker visa AFTER VNS received
Skilled Worker fee: varies by length / SOC; typically GBP 719-1,500
+ Immigration Health Surcharge GBP 1,035/year + biometrics
End with: "DRAFT Skilled Worker RQF mapping memo - for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify against current UKVI/ECCTIS guidance before submission. Cross-check Appendix Skilled Occupations table for current going-rate and skill-level entries for [SOC_CODE] before final advice."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt