Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a delivery driver or courier?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a delivery driver or courier (SOC 8214).
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 8214 (Delivery drivers and couriers) 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 | Delivery drivers and couriers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 82 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives › 821 Road transport drivers |
Job titles under SOC 8214
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Bicycle and motorcycle couriers
- Delivery drivers and couriers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (7)
- Courier-driver
- Cash in transit driver
- Customer service team member (delivery service)
- Delivery driver
- Meals on wheels driver
- Parcel delivery driver
- Van driver
What the job involves
Delivery drivers and couriers collect, transport and deliver goods using a range of vehicles, including bicycles and motor vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in weight.
Typical tasks
- Checks tyres, brakes, lights, oil, water and fuel levels and general condition of the vehicle
- Drives vehicle from depot to loading/unloading point
- Assists with loading/unloading and obtains receipts from customers for goods collected/delivered
- Drives vehicle to destination in accordance with schedule
- Maintains records of journey times, mileage and hours worked
- Undertakes minor repairs and notifies supervisor of any mechanical faults
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Entrants must possess a clean car driving licence. In order to drive vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, entrants must pass an additional test for a category C1 licence. Minimum age restrictions apply according to the weight of vehicle and whether the driver holds a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas and at various levels are available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 8214
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a delivery driver or courier?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a delivery driver or courier (SOC 8214). SOC 2020 code 8214 (Delivery drivers and couriers) 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 8214?
8214 is the SOC 2020 code for Delivery drivers and couriers. Delivery drivers and couriers collect, transport and deliver goods using a range of vehicles, including bicycles and motor vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in weight.
What job titles use SOC code 8214?
GOV.UK lists: Bicycle and motorcycle couriers, Delivery drivers and couriers 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.