Hiring and Sponsoring Public relations professionals (SOC Code 2493)

Public Relations Professionals, classified under SOC Code 2493, are essential communicators who manage the public perception and image of organizations across various industries. Their role encompasses the following key responsibilities:

• Strategic Discussion: Collaborates with senior colleagues to discuss business strategy, products, services, and target client bases to effectively identify public relations needs.
• Content Creation: Writes, edits, and arranges the distribution of various public relations materials, including press releases, newsletters, and social media content to communicate key messages.
• Engagement and Representation: Addresses individuals, clients, and other target groups through meetings, presentations, media interactions, and events to enhance the organization’s public image.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develops and implements tools to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of public relations initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

With the increasing focus on effective communication strategies, the demand for skilled public relations professionals continues to rise in the UK. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring PR experts under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Public relations professionals?

SOC Code 2493 refers to public relations professionals who manage communication and information between organizations and their target audiences. Their responsibilities can include:

• Strategic consultation: Discussing issues of business strategy, products, services, and target client base with senior colleagues to identify public relations requirements.
• Content creation: Writing, editing, and arranging for the effective distribution of press releases, newsletters, social media, and other public relations material.
• Public speaking: Addressing individuals, clients, and other target groups through meetings, presentations, media, and events to enhance the public image of an organization.
• Evaluation and analysis: Developing and implementing tools to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of public relations exercises.

Public relations professionals play a vital role in shaping an organization’s reputation, managing communication strategies, and building relationships with stakeholders.

Eligibility to Hire Public relations professionals (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Public relations professionals must demonstrate a combination of strategic thinking, communication skills, and relevant experience. The qualifications for this role may include:

• Education: A degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field is typically required.
• Experience: Proven experience in public relations or corporate communications, with a focus on writing and editing press materials.
• Skills:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse audience engagement.
  • Proficiency in social media platforms and digital communication strategies.
  • Ability to create and distribute press releases, newsletters, and other PR materials effectively.
• Strategic Thinking: Experience working with senior colleagues to identify public relations requirements related to business strategy, products, and target client base.
• Meeting and Presentation Skills: Comfort in addressing individuals, clients, and target groups through various channels including meetings, media engagements, and events.
• Evaluation Tools: Knowledge in developing and implementing monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of public relations initiatives.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 2493 and that the candidate’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring Public relations 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 Public relations professionals under SOC Code 2493.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Public relations professionals, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Public relations 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 Public relations professionals. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Public relations 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 Public relations 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 Public relations 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 Public relations professionals

Before the Public relations 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 Public relations professionals’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Public relations 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 Public relations professionals’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Public relations 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 Public relations professionalss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Public relations professionals

Sponsoring Public relations professionals under SOC Code 2493 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 Public relations professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Public relations professionals under SOC Code 2493 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.