Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “aircraft maintenance and related trades”?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “aircraft maintenance and related trades” (SOC 5234). 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
If the job includes research at PhD level in some science and technology subjects, you may also need an ATAS certificate. Read the ATAS rules on GOV.UK.
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 5234 (Aircraft maintenance and related trades) 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 | Aircraft maintenance and related trades |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £45,000 a year (£23.08 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) | 5235 |
| SOC 2020 group | 52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades › 523 Vehicle trades |
Going rates for 5234 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. | £45,000 £23.08/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. | £34,800 £17.85/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 5234
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 | £45,000 (100%) | £45,000 |
| 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 | £34,800 (100%) | £34,800 |
| 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 5234
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Aircraft maintenance and related trades
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Aeronautical engineer
- Aircraft electrician
- Aircraft engineer
- Aircraft fitter
- Aircraft mechanic
- Maintenance engineer (aircraft)
What the job involves
Aircraft maintenance and related trades fit, service, repair and overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies. Licensed aircraft engineers are coded to Unit Group 3113.
Typical tasks
- Examines drawings, manuals and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequence of operations
- Fits and assembles parts and/or metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances to make aircraft engines
- Replaces engine components or complete engines, installs and tests electrical and electronic components and systems in aircraft
- Examines and inspects airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems
- Maintains, repairs and rebuilds aircraft structures, functional components, and parts
- Maintains comprehensive repair logs
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades or a BTEC/SQA award. Apprenticeships in Engineering Maintenance at level 3 are available. NVQs/SVQs are available at level 2 and 3.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 5234
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “aircraft maintenance and related trades”?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “aircraft maintenance and related trades” (SOC 5234). 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 5234 (Aircraft maintenance and related trades) 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 5234?
5234 is the SOC 2020 code for Aircraft maintenance and related trades. Aircraft maintenance and related trades fit, service, repair and overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies. Licensed aircraft engineers are coded to Unit Group 3113.
What is the going rate for SOC code 5234?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £45,000 a year (£23.08 an hour) for 5234, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 5234?
GOV.UK lists: Aircraft maintenance and related trades.
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.