Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a metal making or treating process operative?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a metal making or treating process operative (SOC 8115). It is only open to people who have had a Skilled Worker visa without a break since before 4 April 2024, applying before 4 April 2030 to stay with the same employer.
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 8115 (Metal making and treating process operatives) is Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only (Below RQF level 3). It is listed in Table 2a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT2a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Metal making and treating process operatives |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only |
| Going rate | £31,300 a year (£16.05 an hour)T2a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 2a, Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 5234, 5449 |
| SOC 2020 group | 81 Process, plant, machine and construction operatives › 811 Process operatives |
Going rates for 8115 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 2aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission. | £31,300 £16.05/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 8115
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £31,300 (100%) | £31,300 |
| 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 8115
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Galvanisers and platers
- Metal sprayers and powder coaters
- Metal making and treating process operatives not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Degreaser (metal trades)
- Electroplater
- Furnaceman (metal trades)
- Process worker (nickel mfr)
- Wire drawer
What the job involves
Metal making and treating process operatives operate furnaces, ovens and other heating vessels, drawing, rolling, extruding, galvanising, forging and other metal processing equipment to smelt, shape, coat and treat metal and metal products.
Typical tasks
- Charges furnace, operates controls to regulate furnace temperature, and adds oxidising, alloying and fluxing agents as required
- Withdraws samples of molten metal for analysis, taps slag from surface of molten metal and directs flow of molten metal into casts
- Sets rolling speed, tension and space between rolls, guides the metal to and from rollers, and monitors the rolling process to detect irregularities, and ensure that the gauge and finish match required specifications
- Operates equipment to remove dirt, scale and other surface impurities by immersion in chemical solution
- Heats metal or metal articles in furnace, allows to cool for a specified time or quenches in brine, oil or water to harden, reduces brittleness and restores ductility
- Operates piercing, extruding, pressing and other metal processing equipment to shape and treat metal or metal articles
- Coats metal parts and articles electrolytically, forms metal articles by electro- and vacuum-deposition, dips and sprays articles with another metal, plastic powder or material and treats articles chemically to produce desired finishes
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. Vocational qualifications at level 2 and 3 in relevant areas, including metal and materials processing and finishing. are available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 8115
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a metal making or treating process operative?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a metal making or treating process operative (SOC 8115). It is only open to people who have had a Skilled Worker visa without a break since before 4 April 2024, applying before 4 April 2030 to stay with the same employer. SOC 2020 code 8115 (Metal making and treating process operatives) is Medium Skilled – extending in same occupation only (Below RQF level 3). It is listed in Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission before 4 April 2024, held continuously, applying before 4 April 2030 to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission.
What is SOC code 8115?
8115 is the SOC 2020 code for Metal making and treating process operatives. Metal making and treating process operatives operate furnaces, ovens and other heating vessels, drawing, rolling, extruding, galvanising, forging and other metal processing equipment to smelt, shape, coat and treat metal and metal products.
What is the going rate for SOC code 8115?
Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £31,300 a year (£16.05 an hour) for 8115, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 8115?
GOV.UK lists: Galvanisers and platers, Metal sprayers and powder coaters, Metal making and treating process operatives 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.