8120SOC 2020 · 8 · 81 · 812Ineligible

Metal working machine operatives: UK Skilled Worker visa and SOC 8120

Ineligible

Rules checked against GOV.UK 6 November 2026 · Compiled by SWC Editorial Team

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a metal working machine operative?

No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a metal working machine operative (SOC 8120).

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 8120 (Metal working machine 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.
Key facts for SOC 8120
OccupationMetal working machine operatives
Skilled Worker eligibilityIneligible
Going rateNot applicable
Appendix table(s)Table 6
Immigration Salary ListNo
Temporary Shortage ListNo
SOC 2020 group81 Process, plant, machine and construction operatives › 812 Metal working machine operatives

Job titles under SOC 8120

GOV.UK lists these related job titles:

  • Press and stamp operators
  • Metal working machine operatives not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
  • Engineer (nos)
  • Machinist (metal trades)
  • Metal polisher
  • Process worker (metal trades)
  • Shot blaster

What the job involves

Metal working machine operatives operate machines to cut, shape, abrade and otherwise machine metal, use hand and power tools to remove surplus metal and rough surfaces from castings, forgings or other metal parts, and clean, smooth and polish metal workpieces.

Typical tasks

  • Secures workpiece in drilling, boring, milling, planing, grinding, lapping, honing, electrochemical, or other shaping machines, or loads metal stock on to press
  • Sets controls, starts machine and operates controls to feed tool to workpiece or vice versa and repositions workpiece during machining as required
  • Withdraws workpiece and examines accuracy using measuring instruments
  • Operates burning, chipping and grinding equipment to remove defects from metal parts, and files, chisels, burns and saws off surplus metal
  • Smooths rough surfaces with hand tools, abrasive belts and wheels, compressed air, jets of vapour, or blasting with shot, grit, sand or other abrasive material
  • Selects and secures polishing head to machine tool, prepares head with emery, grease or other substance, sets speed and angle of polishing head, and operates controls to feed polishing head to workpiece or vice versa

Typical entry routes and qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering are available.

Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.

Questions about SOC 8120

Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a metal working machine operative?

No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a metal working machine operative (SOC 8120). SOC 2020 code 8120 (Metal working machine 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 8120?

8120 is the SOC 2020 code for Metal working machine operatives. Metal working machine operatives operate machines to cut, shape, abrade and otherwise machine metal, use hand and power tools to remove surplus metal and rough surfaces from castings, forgings or other metal parts, and clean, smooth and polish metal workpieces.

What job titles use SOC code 8120?

GOV.UK lists: Press and stamp operators, Metal working machine operatives not elsewhere classified.

Sources

Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.