Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an electrical service or maintenance mechanic or repairer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an electrical service or maintenance mechanic or repairer (SOC 5246). 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 5246 (Electrical service and maintenance mechanics 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 | Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £39,700 a year (£20.36 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) | 5241, 5249 |
| SOC 2020 group | 52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades › 524 Electrical and electronic trades |
Going rates for 5246 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. | £39,700 £20.36/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. | £33,800 £17.33/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 5246
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 | £39,700 (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 | £33,800 (100%) | £33,800 |
| 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 5246
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Domestic appliance engineer
- Maintenance man (electricity supplier)
- Machine repairer (office machinery)
- Repairer (electrical machinery)
- Service engineer (domestic electrical appliances)
What the job involves
Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers maintain, service and repair domestic appliances, office machinery and electricity plant machinery, appliances and wiring.
Typical tasks
- Examines drawings, specifications and wiring diagrams to determine the method and sequence of operations
- Maintains and repairs electricity plant machinery, domestic appliances, office machinery and other electrical assembly and replaces worn parts and faulty wiring
- Diagnoses faults using test equipment and investigates their causes
- Writes reports on maintenance work and implements systems to ensure all equipment is properly maintained
- Responds to call outs for unplanned/emergency repair work, both for domestic clients and in industrial settings
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Academic qualifications may not be required, though some GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification may be an advantage. NVQs/SVQs are available at levels 1, 2 and 3. Apprenticeships combining practical work experience and technical training are available at levels 2 and 3. Entrants must have good eyesight and normal colour vision.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 5246
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as an electrical service or maintenance mechanic or repairer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as an electrical service or maintenance mechanic or repairer (SOC 5246). 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 5246 (Electrical service and maintenance mechanics 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 5246?
5246 is the SOC 2020 code for Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers. Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers maintain, service and repair domestic appliances, office machinery and electricity plant machinery, appliances and wiring.
What is the going rate for SOC code 5246?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £39,700 a year (£20.36 an hour) for 5246, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 5246?
GOV.UK lists: Electrical service and maintenance mechanics 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)
- 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.