DJs Added to UK Skilled Worker Visa List
DJs are now recognised as skilled workers under the UK’s post-Brexit visa system, allowing them to apply for long-term work permits, according to new research.
Analysis of Home Office data from 2021 to 2024 revealed that DJs, alongside cabin crew, fitness instructors, and veterinary nurses, were included in the list of “middle-skilled” workers eligible for skilled worker visas.
The findings, uncovered by University of Oxford researcher Robert McNeil, suggest that the government expanded visa eligibility by lowering skill criteria following the UK’s departure from the EU. McNeil explained that while middle-skilled jobs traditionally include roles such as plumbers and engineering technicians, the classification system used by the Home Office resulted in some unexpected additions. He noted that while DJs may not be commonly associated with skilled worker shortages, their work remains highly specialised.
Despite the change, foreign DJs seeking to work in the UK under the skilled worker visa scheme must be sponsored by an employer and meet a salary threshold of £38,700 per year, or £31,000 if under 26 and in higher education. Alternatively, artists and musicians can apply for a Creative Worker visa, allowing them to work in the UK for up to 12 months, or be sponsored under the “Permit Free Festivals” scheme for short-term engagements at designated events.
