Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified” (SOC 9139).
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 9139 (Elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified) 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 | Elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified |
|---|---|
| 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 9139
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Factory worker
- Fitter’s mate
- Labourer (engineering)
- Material handler
What the job involves
Job holders in this unit group assist the work of machine operatives and perform a variety of manual tasks in foundries, engineering and allied trades and in other process and plant operations not elsewhere classified in minor group 913: Elementary process plant occupations.
Typical tasks
- Assists with the operation of furnaces and the preparation of castings
- Assists in setting up attachments on plant and machinery, and operates saws, shears or other equipment
- Conveys goods, materials, equipment, etc. to work area, assists in setting up machinery and equipment and prepares tools, lamps and other equipment for use
- Assists operative to mark out, bend, drill, galvanise, coat and otherwise machine metal
- Loads and unloads vehicles, trucks and trolleys
- Removes finished pieces from work area, paints or fixes identification labels or markers on products or containers
- Clears machine blockages, cleans machinery, equipment and tools, keeps work area tidy and clears waste and any spillages
- Performs a variety of manual tasks in relation to the operation of coke ovens, boilers, blast furnaces and other engineering trades
Typical entry routes and qualifications
No academic qualifications are required. On-the- job training is provided. NVQs/SVQs may be available in some areas.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9139
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified” (SOC 9139). SOC 2020 code 9139 (Elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified) 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 9139?
9139 is the SOC 2020 code for Elementary process plant occupations not elsewhere classified. Job holders in this unit group assist the work of machine operatives and perform a variety of manual tasks in foundries, engineering and allied trades and in other process and plant operations not elsewhere classified in minor group 913: Elementary process plant occupations.
What job titles use SOC code 9139?
GOV.UK lists: Elementary process plant occupations 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.