Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a textile process operative?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a textile process operative (SOC 8112).
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 8112 (Textile process operatives) 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 | Textile process operatives |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 81 Process, plant, machine and construction operatives › 811 Process operatives |
Job titles under SOC 8112
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Textile process operatives
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Factory worker (clothing mfr)
- Hosiery worker
- Machinist (rope, twine mfr)
- Process worker (textile mfr)
- Spinner (paper twine mfr)
What the job involves
Textile process operatives operate machines to prepare natural and synthetic fibres for processing, spin and twist fibre into yarn, thread, twine, rope and other similar material, and estimate the quantities of colouring matter required for printing and dyeing fabrics.
Typical tasks
- Sets controls, starts machinery and monitors the passage of material processed
- Replenishes the supply of input fibres, removes and replaces full output packages, cards and spools
- Detects blockages, tangled thread, defective or broken material, and joins broken ends by hand or mechanical knotting
- Checks quality of completed material, marks any flaws and removes badly damaged sections
- Examines colour cards or specifications, estimates quantity of colouring material needed to print or dye fibre and calculates and mixes ingredients accordingly
- Stretches, shrinks, brushes, dampens and presses fabric and shears or burns off protruding fabric fibres as required
- Cleans and oils machine, detects and reports mechanical faults to technicians
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs relating to textile manufacture at levels 2 and 3 and apprenticeships are available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 8112
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a textile process operative?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a textile process operative (SOC 8112). SOC 2020 code 8112 (Textile process operatives) 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 8112?
8112 is the SOC 2020 code for Textile process operatives. Textile process operatives operate machines to prepare natural and synthetic fibres for processing, spin and twist fibre into yarn, thread, twine, rope and other similar material, and estimate the quantities of colouring matter required for printing and dyeing fabrics.
What job titles use SOC code 8112?
GOV.UK lists: Textile process operatives.
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.