Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a planning, process or production technician?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a planning, process or production technician (SOC 3116) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list’s end date.
What you need
You must have:
- a job offer from a UK employer that's allowed to sponsor visas (check the sponsor list)
- a "certificate of sponsorship" from that employer: a reference number with details of your job
- a salary of at least £34,800 a year
- English at level B2: you can usually prove it with an approved test or a degree taught in English (ways to prove it)
- £1,270 in savings, unless your employer covers your first month or you've been in the UK for 12 months or more
Check the date. The Temporary Shortage List only counts if your employer gives you your certificate of sponsorship before 31 December 2026.
How much it costs
| Visa fee, applying from outside the UK | £819 for up to 3 years £1,618 for more than 3 years |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, applying from inside the UK | £943 for up to 3 years £1,865 for more than 3 years |
| Healthcare surcharge | usually £1,035 a year |
| Savings to show (if needed) | £1,270 |
For example, a 3-year visa from outside the UK costs £819 plus £3,105 for the healthcare surcharge: £3,924 in total. Your partner and children pay too if they come with you. Full fees.
How long it takes
- You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
- It's usually 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
- Your visa can last up to 5 years. You can extend it.
- After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle in the UK.
How to apply
- Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for this job's occupation code (3116).
- Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer.
- Prove your English and get your documents ready (documents list).
- Apply online on GOV.UK: apply from outside the UK. You'll pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
- Prove your identity, using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
Things to check
- Do make sure the job description matches the work you'll actually do. The occupation code must fit the job.
- Do check your employer is on the licensed sponsor list.
- Don't apply before you have a certificate of sponsorship. You need a confirmed job offer first.
- Don't count overtime, bonuses or allowances. Only guaranteed basic pay counts towards the salary.
- Don't change job or employer without updating your visa.
Based on the UK Immigration Rules and the Skilled Worker visa guide on GOV.UK. This is a summary, not advice about your own situation.
The rules in detail
SOC 2020 code 3116 (Planning, process and production technicians) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Temporary Shortage List. The Temporary Shortage List applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026. It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Planning, process and production technicians |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £34,800 a year (£17.85 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | Yes, certificate of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026Planning, process and production technicians |
| Eligible for PhD points | Yes |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3116 |
| SOC 2020 group | 31 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals › 311 Science, engineering and production technicians |
Going rates for 3116 in Appendix Skilled Occupations
A code can appear in more than one table. Each table applies to different applicants. Rates are per year for a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other hours.
| Table and who it applies to | Going rate | 90% | 80% | 70% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table 1aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List. | £34,800 £17.85/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr | £33,400 £17.13/hr |
| Table 2aaFor applicants using options F–J who were granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 and have held it continuously, unless option I (Immigration Salary List) or the Temporary Shortage List applies. Not eligible for Global Business Mobility or Scale-up. | £28,700 £14.72/hr | £25,900 £13.28/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3116
Under Appendix Skilled Worker, the salary must equal or exceed both the general threshold and the going-rate figure for the points option used. This table puts the two figures side by side for each option. It does not say which option applies to any person. See salary thresholds for the conditions on each option.
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standard | £41,700 | £34,800 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | £33,400 (90%) | £37,500 |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | £33,400 (80%) | £33,400 |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £33,400 | £33,400 (70%) | £33,400 |
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £28,700 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | £25,900 (90%) | £28,200 |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | £25,000 (80%) | £25,000 |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £25,000 | £25,000 (70%) | £25,000 |
Rule changes that named 3116
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 3116
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Planning, process and production technicians
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Process technician
- Production controller
- Production planner
- Production technician
What the job involves
Planning, process and production technicians perform a variety of technical support functions to assist production, process and planning engineers with production programmes and schedules and with manufacturing and processing procedures in order to ensure accuracy, cost-effectiveness and efficiency
Typical tasks
- Supports planning and production engineers in assessing existing and alternative production methods
- Works from, and helps implement, professional engineers’ drawings and specifications for equipment and layout, and helps implement modifications required for existing plant machinery/layout
- Works with engineers on production control methods to monitor operational efficiency and helps to eliminate potential hazards and bottlenecks in production
- Liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies
- Supports professional engineers in reviewing safety, quality, accuracy, reliability and contractual requirements
- Supports implementation of plans of sequence of operations and completion dates for each phase of production or processing
- Ensures implementation of inspection, testing and evaluation methods for bought-in materials, components, semi-finished and finished products
- Plans and coordinates maintenance activities involved in manufacturing and processing procedures
- Ensures accuracy of manufacturing and testing equipment
- Ensures effective completion and implementation of detailed instructions on processes, work methods and quality and safety standards for workers
- Reviews and analyses production data
- Plans the cost impact and staff resources for projects
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants to training usually possess GCSEs/S grades. Vocational training consists either of full-time study for a BTEC/SQA National award followed by two years on-the-job training, or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 3.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3116
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a planning, process or production technician?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a planning, process or production technician (SOC 3116) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 3116 (Planning, process and production technicians) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5) and is on the Temporary Shortage List. The Temporary Shortage List applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026. It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
What is SOC code 3116?
3116 is the SOC 2020 code for Planning, process and production technicians. Planning, process and production technicians perform a variety of technical support functions to assist production, process and planning engineers with production programmes and schedules and with manufacturing and processing procedures in order to ensure accuracy, cost-effectiveness and efficiency
What is the going rate for SOC code 3116?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £34,800 a year (£17.85 an hour) for 3116, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
Is 3116 on the Temporary Shortage List?
Yes, for planning, process and production technicians. It applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 3116?
GOV.UK lists: Planning, process and production technicians.
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes (GOV.UK, updated 29 April 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- Skilled Worker visa: temporary shortage list (GOV.UK, updated 20 July 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.