Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a precision instrument maker or repairer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a precision instrument maker or repairer (SOC 5224). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break.
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
- 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
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 5224 (Precision instrument makers and repairers) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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 | Precision instrument makers and repairers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 5224 |
| SOC 2020 group | 52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades › 522 Metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades |
Going rates for 5224 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. | £33,400 £17.13/hr | n/a | n/a | £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. | £28,300 £14.51/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 5224
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 | £33,400 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | Not applicable | – |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| 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 | £28,300 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | Not applicable | – |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| 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 |
Job titles under SOC 5224
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Calibration and precision instrument technicians
- Camera and photographic equipment technicians
- Horologists, watch makers and repairers
- Optical technicians
- Precision instrument makers and repairers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (8)
- Calibration engineer
- Horologist
- Instrument maker
- Instrument mechanic
- Instrument technician
- Optical technician
- Precision engineer
- Watchmaker
What the job involves
Precision instrument makers and repairers make, calibrate, test and repair precision and optical instruments such as barometers, compasses, cameras, calibrators, watches, clocks and chronometers.
Typical tasks
- Examines drawings or specifications to determine appropriate methods, materials and sequence of operation
- Marks out and machines aluminium, brass, steel and plastics using machine tools such as grinders, lathes and shapers
- Tests watches and clocks for repair to diagnose faults and removes, repairs or replaces damaged and worn parts
- Tests completed timepiece for accuracy using electronic or other test equipment
- Carries out service tasks such as cleaning, oiling and regulating
- Checks prepared parts for accuracy using measuring equipment, assembles parts and adjusts as necessary using hand and machine tools
- Positions, aligns and secures optical lenses in mounts
- Tests, adjusts and repairs precision and optical instruments
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Some GCSEs/S grades qualifications may be required. Training is usually via an apprenticeship including work experience and practical and technical training leading to recognised awards.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 5224
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a precision instrument maker or repairer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a precision instrument maker or repairer (SOC 5224). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break. SOC 2020 code 5224 (Precision instrument makers and repairers) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). 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 5224?
5224 is the SOC 2020 code for Precision instrument makers and repairers. Precision instrument makers and repairers make, calibrate, test and repair precision and optical instruments such as barometers, compasses, cameras, calibrators, watches, clocks and chronometers.
What is the going rate for SOC code 5224?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 5224, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 5224?
GOV.UK lists: Calibration and precision instrument technicians, Camera and photographic equipment technicians, Horologists, watch makers and repairers, Optical technicians, Precision instrument makers and repairers 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.