Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a hairdresser or barber?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a hairdresser or barber (SOC 6221).
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 6221 (Hairdressers and barbers) 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 | Hairdressers and barbers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 62 Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations › 622 Hairdressers and related services |
Job titles under SOC 6221
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Barbers
- Hairdressers
- Hairdressers and barbers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Artistic director (hairdressing)
- Barber
- Colourist (hairdressing)
- Hair designer
- Hair stylist
- Hairdresser
What the job involves
Hairdressers and barbers shampoo, cut, colour, style and treat hair.
Typical tasks
- Discusses customer requirements, analyses hair condition and other relevant features to define and advise on hair style
- Washes, conditions, bleaches, tints or dyes hair and provides any necessary basic scalp treatments
- Cuts and trims hair using scissors, clippers, razor and comb
- Combs, brushes, blow-dries or sets wet hair in rollers to style or straighten
- Shaves and trims beards and moustaches
- Collects payment, arranges appointments and cleans and tidies salon
- Maintains client records and keeps up-to-date with new products, styles and techniques
- Ensures hair products are stored and used appropriately and observes relevant health and safety factors
- Demonstrates, sells and recommends hair care products to clients and advises them on hair care
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no minimum academic requirements for entry, although some colleges require candidates to possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is provided Off and on-the-job and lasts up to three years leading to the awarding of NVQs/SVQs at levels 1, 2 and 3. Apprenticeships leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 3 are also available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 6221
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a hairdresser or barber?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a hairdresser or barber (SOC 6221). SOC 2020 code 6221 (Hairdressers and barbers) 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 6221?
6221 is the SOC 2020 code for Hairdressers and barbers. Hairdressers and barbers shampoo, cut, colour, style and treat hair.
What job titles use SOC code 6221?
GOV.UK lists: Barbers, Hairdressers, Hairdressers and barbers 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.