Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a communication operator?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a communication operator (SOC 7213).
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 7213 (Communication operators) 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 | Communication operators |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 72 Customer service occupations › 721 Customer service occupations |
Job titles under SOC 7213
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Air traffic control assistants
- Emergency services call handlers
- Taxi controllers
- Communication operators not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Call handler (emergency services)
- Communications officer
- Control room operator (emergency services)
- Controller (taxi service)
- Emergency medical despatcher
- Radio operator
What the job involves
Communication operators operate telecoms equipment to transmit and receive signals and messages.
Typical tasks
- Receives messages, weather reports and other material to transmit
- Tunes transmitter to required channel or wavelength and relays or receives message to/ from person or vehicle
- Uses a teleprinter or telex keyboard to transmit messages to other teleprinters or telexes
- Keeps record of messages sent and received
- Performs routine tests and maintenance on equipment and reports faults
- Receives and handles incoming calls for emergency services, transmitting to the appropriate services
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Academic qualifications may not be required. On-the-job training is provided.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 7213
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a communication operator?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a communication operator (SOC 7213). SOC 2020 code 7213 (Communication operators) 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 7213?
7213 is the SOC 2020 code for Communication operators. Communication operators operate telecoms equipment to transmit and receive signals and messages.
What job titles use SOC code 7213?
GOV.UK lists: Air traffic control assistants, Emergency services call handlers, Taxi controllers, Communication operators 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.