Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “industrial cleaning process occupations”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “industrial cleaning process occupations” (SOC 9131).
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 9131 (Industrial cleaning process occupations) 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 | Industrial cleaning process occupations |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 91 Elementary trades and related occupations › 913 Elementary process plant occupations |
Job titles under SOC 9131
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Industrial cleaning process occupations
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Cleaner and greaser
- Factory cleaner
- Hygiene operative
- Industrial cleaner
- Pot washer
What the job involves
Industrial cleaning process occupations clean manufactured goods, plant and machinery, industrial premises and building exteriors.
Typical tasks
- Uses industrial hoovering, polishing, pressure washer, steam cleaning and sandblasting equipment to clean industrial premises and building exteriors
- Dismantles engines, boilers, furnaces and other industrial plant and machinery, cleans component parts and reassembles equipment
- Washes, rinses, dries and cleans manufactured goods, and stacks cleaned articles ready for removal
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job. Vocational qualifications covering various aspects of industrial cleaning are available at levels 1 and 2. Qualifications are also offered by the British Institute of Cleaning Science.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9131
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “industrial cleaning process occupations”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “industrial cleaning process occupations” (SOC 9131). SOC 2020 code 9131 (Industrial cleaning process occupations) 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 9131?
9131 is the SOC 2020 code for Industrial cleaning process occupations. Industrial cleaning process occupations clean manufactured goods, plant and machinery, industrial premises and building exteriors.
What job titles use SOC code 9131?
GOV.UK lists: Industrial cleaning process occupations.
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.