Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a non-commissioned officer or other rank?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a non-commissioned officer or other rank (SOC 3311).
You might be able to work in the UK on a different visa. Compare UK work visas.
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 3311 (Non-commissioned officers and other ranks) is listed as not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes in Table 6 of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT6 · 29 Oct 26.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Non-commissioned officers and other ranks |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 33 Protective service occupations › 331 Protective service occupations |
Job titles under SOC 3311
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Non-commissioned Army officers and others ranks
- Non-commissioned Royal Air Force officers and other ranks
- Non-commissioned Royal Navy officers and other ranks
- Royal Marines Commandos
- Non-commissioned officers and other ranks not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Aircraftman
- Aircraft technician (armed forces)
- Lance-corporal
- Sergeant (armed forces)
- Soldier
- Weapons engineer (armed forces)
What the job involves
Those holding jobs in this unit group are full-time members of the armed forces of the UK, the Commonwealth and other foreign countries and perform military duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.
Typical tasks
- Receives and responds to commands from senior officers
- Monitors, operates, services and repairs military equipment
- Takes part in military operations in situations of conflict and provides aid if required in emergency situations such as civil disorder, natural disasters and major accidents
- Engages in peacekeeping operations and enforces ceasefire agreements
- Stands watch and guards military establishments and other buildings
- Trains and exercises using various military equipment and tactics
- Undertakes specialist activities such as operating communications equipment, driving military vehicles
- Patrols areas of possible military activity
- Leads and trains new recruits and lower ranks, looks after their discipline and welfare
Typical entry routes and qualifications
For most positions entry does not depend upon academic qualifications. Entrants generally have to pass a selection interview and physical and medical examinations. Entry to certain trades requires GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3311
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a non-commissioned officer or other rank?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a non-commissioned officer or other rank (SOC 3311). SOC 2020 code 3311 (Non-commissioned officers and other ranks) is listed as not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes in Table 6 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
What is SOC code 3311?
3311 is the SOC 2020 code for Non-commissioned officers and other ranks. Those holding jobs in this unit group are full-time members of the armed forces of the UK, the Commonwealth and other foreign countries and perform military duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.
What job titles use SOC code 3311?
GOV.UK lists: Non-commissioned Army officers and others ranks, Non-commissioned Royal Air Force officers and other ranks, Non-commissioned Royal Navy officers and other ranks, Royal Marines Commandos, Non-commissioned officers and other ranks not elsewhere classified.
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)
- 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.