Hiring and Sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals (SOC Code 2136)

IT Quality and Testing Professionals, classified under SOC Code 2136, are essential experts who ensure that software, systems, and computer games function correctly and meet quality standards. Their role encompasses:

• Testing: Conduct thorough testing of software, systems, or computer games to identify errors and assess performance.
• Problem Identification: Analyze and pinpoint the root causes of issues to propose effective solutions.
• Test Plans: Develop, implement, and meticulously document comprehensive test plans tailored for IT software, systems, and computer games.
• Quality Standards: Establish quality standards and validation techniques to maintain high performance and reliability.
• Recommendations: Provide actionable recommendations to enhance software/system quality, ensuring products meet both user expectations and industry standards.

As the technology landscape evolves, the demand for skilled IT quality and testing professionals remains robust. Organizations are increasingly on the lookout for talent that can help them deliver high-quality products. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the complexities of hiring and sponsoring IT quality and testing experts under the UK’s immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for IT quality and testing professionals?

SOC Code 2136 refers to IT quality and testing professionals who are responsible for ensuring the performance and reliability of software, systems, or computer games. Their responsibilities can include:

• Testing software and systems: Conducting thorough examinations of software applications, systems, or computer games to identify errors or bugs.
• Identifying problems: Analyzing the source of issues and complications in software or systems.
• Proposing solutions: Offering actionable recommendations to resolve identified problems.
• Developing test plans: Creating, implementing, and documenting comprehensive test plans tailored to specific IT projects.
• Establishing quality standards: Formulating and maintaining quality assurance standards and validation techniques to ensure high levels of software integrity.
• Making quality recommendations: Advising on improvements or changes to enhance software or system quality.

IT quality and testing professionals are essential in the technology sector, ensuring that products meet expected performance criteria, reduce errors, and enhance overall user satisfaction.

Eligibility to Hire IT quality and testing professionals (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

IT quality and testing professionals must possess a robust skill set and relevant experience in the software testing domain. The key qualifications and criteria include:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in software testing methodologies, tools, and frameworks to ensure thorough testing processes.
• Educational Background: A degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is often preferred, although practical experience may be substitutive.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in software testing, quality assurance, or related roles, with a strong track record of identifying and resolving software issues.
• Test Planning: Ability to develop, implement, and document comprehensive test plans tailored to specific software, systems, or computer games.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify sources of defects and provide viable solutions.
• Quality Standards Development: Experience in developing quality standards and validation techniques that ensure software/system quality meets industry benchmarks.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 2136 and that the candidate’s experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals under SOC Code 2136.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK IT quality and testing professionals, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas IT quality and testing professionals under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the IT quality and testing professionals. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for IT quality and testing professionals applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the IT quality and testing professionals’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the IT quality and testing professionals can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for IT quality and testing professionals

Before the IT quality and testing professionals begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the IT quality and testing professionals’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the IT quality and testing professionals holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the IT quality and testing professionals’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the IT quality and testing professionals’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future IT quality and testing professionalss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals

Sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals under SOC Code 2136 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring IT quality and testing professionals under SOC Code 2136 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.