Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a street cleaner?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a street cleaner (SOC 9222).
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 9222 (Street cleaners) 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 | Street cleaners |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Ineligible |
| Going rate | Not applicable |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 6 |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| SOC 2020 group | 92 Elementary administration and service occupations › 922 Elementary cleaning occupations |
Job titles under SOC 9222
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Street cleaners
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (4)
- Cleansing operative (street cleaning)
- Litter picker
- Road sweeper
- Street cleaner
What the job involves
Street cleaners clean, sweep and remove refuse from public thoroughfares.
Typical tasks
- Sweeps pavements, gutters and roadways with hand broom or mechanical sweeper
- Collects litter using hand tools
- Transfers refuse into containers and empties public litter bins into containers
Typical entry routes and qualifications
No academic qualifications are required. On-the-job training is provided. Vocational qualifications in Cleaning and Support Services Skills are available at levels 1 and 2.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9222
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a street cleaner?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a street cleaner (SOC 9222). SOC 2020 code 9222 (Street cleaners) 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 9222?
9222 is the SOC 2020 code for Street cleaners. Street cleaners clean, sweep and remove refuse from public thoroughfares.
What job titles use SOC code 9222?
GOV.UK lists: Street cleaners.
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.