Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a launderer, dry cleaner or presser?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a launderer, dry cleaner or presser (SOC 9224).
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 9224 (Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers) 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 | Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers |
|---|---|
| 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 9224
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Carpet cleaners
- Dry cleaners and laundry workers
- Ironers and pressers
- Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Carpet cleaner
- Dry cleaner
- Garment presser
- Laundry assistant
- Laundry worker
- Presser (laundry, launderette, dry cleaning)
What the job involves
Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers supervise and undertake the washing, dry cleaning, ironing and pressing of clothing, household and other linen, carpets, curtains and other articles.
Typical tasks
- Receives garment or item from customer for cleaning, checks pockets, buttons, zips, etc. and issues receipt
- Sorts articles by fabric, colour and type and determines appropriate cleaning process
- Removes difficult stains using chemicals or steam gun
- Loads articles into washing and dry cleaning machines or electrically operated drum cleaning machine, operates controls to admit cleaning fluids and starts machine
- Sets and operates drying machines and smooths and shapes washed garments using hand iron or machine press
- Allocates washing machines to customers, ensures correct use of equipment and gives change
- Performs a variety of laundering, dry cleaning and pressing tasks, including beating carpets and shaping starched collars, cuffs and hats
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Academic qualifications are not required. Training is mainly on?the-job. Vocational qualifications in Laundry Operations and Textile Care Services are available at level 2.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9224
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a launderer, dry cleaner or presser?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a launderer, dry cleaner or presser (SOC 9224). SOC 2020 code 9224 (Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers) 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 9224?
9224 is the SOC 2020 code for Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers. Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers supervise and undertake the washing, dry cleaning, ironing and pressing of clothing, household and other linen, carpets, curtains and other articles.
What job titles use SOC code 9224?
GOV.UK lists: Carpet cleaners, Dry cleaners and laundry workers, Ironers and pressers, Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers 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.