Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a vehicle body builder or repairer?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a vehicle body builder or repairer (SOC 5232) 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 £33,400 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 (5232).
- 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 5232 (Vehicle body builders and repairers) 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 | Vehicle body builders 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 | Yes, certificate of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026Vehicle body builders and repairers |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 5232 |
| SOC 2020 group | 52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades › 523 Vehicle trades |
Going rates for 5232 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. | £27,600 £14.15/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 5232
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 | £27,600 (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 |
Rule changes that named 5232
- HC 997: Skilled Worker changes laid on 1 July 2025 (1 July 2025)
Job titles under SOC 5232
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Vehicle body builders and repairers
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Bodyshop technician
- Car body repairer
- Coach builder
- Panel beater
- Restoration technician (vehicles)
- Vehicle builder
What the job involves
Vehicle body builders and repairers repair and reconstruct structural and non-structural vehicle body components, including the removal, repair and refitting of mechanical, electrical and trim components, using manufacturer repair methods and technologies associated with modern vehicle construction.
Typical tasks
- Diagnoses job requirements or ascertains work specifications from drawings or instructions
- Selects, cuts, shapes and assembles materials to form parts of vehicle underframe, framework and body
- Repairs damage to chassis and engine mountings using hydraulic rams, jacks and jigs
- Hammers out dents in bodywork, fills in small depressions or corroded areas in solder, plastic or other filler compound and replaces body panels using hand and power tools
- Installs and repairs interior fittings including seats, seatbelts and fascia in cars, sinks and special features in caravans and mobile shops
- Positions, secures and repairs external fittings including windows, doors, door handles, catches and roof attachments
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification. Apprenticeships at NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 are also available and take between three to four years to complete. Off and on-the-job training is provided.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 5232
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a vehicle body builder or repairer?
Yes, for now. You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a vehicle body builder or repairer (SOC 5232) because the job is on a shortage list, until the list's end date. SOC 2020 code 5232 (Vehicle body builders and repairers) 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 5232?
5232 is the SOC 2020 code for Vehicle body builders and repairers. Vehicle body builders and repairers repair and reconstruct structural and non-structural vehicle body components, including the removal, repair and refitting of mechanical, electrical and trim components, using manufacturer repair methods and technologies associated with modern vehicle construction.
What is the going rate for SOC code 5232?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 5232, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
Is 5232 on the Temporary Shortage List?
Yes, for vehicle body builders and repairers. It applies where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.
What job titles use SOC code 5232?
GOV.UK lists: Vehicle body builders and repairers.
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.