Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “refuse and salvage occupations”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “refuse and salvage occupations” (SOC 9225).
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 9225 (Refuse and salvage 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 | Refuse and salvage 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 | 92 Elementary administration and service occupations › 922 Elementary cleaning occupations |
Job titles under SOC 9225
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Recycling operatives
- Refuse collectors
- Refuse and salvage occupations not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Binman (local government: cleansing department)
- Dustman
- Hopper attendant (refuse destruction)
- Recycling operative
- Refuse collector
- Salvage worker
What the job involves
Refuse and salvage collectors supervise and undertake the collection and processing of refuse from household, commercial and industrial premises.
Typical tasks
- Rides in or on refuse vehicle and alights to pick up domestic refuse
- Carries waste material in dustbins or other containers from premises to refuse vehicle
- Empties refuse into vehicle manually or using an electronic tipping device
- Returns dustbins or other containers to premises
- Collects scrap metal, salvage, paper and other recyclable material from domestic and industrial premises, and sorts material in preparation for recycling
- Attends the operation of refuse tips, supervises the use of public refuse disposal facilities, and compacts and covers up refuse at landfill sites
Typical entry routes and qualifications
No academic qualifications are required. Training is provided on-the-job. A minimum age limit of 18 years normally applies.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9225
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “refuse and salvage occupations”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “refuse and salvage occupations” (SOC 9225). SOC 2020 code 9225 (Refuse and salvage 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 9225?
9225 is the SOC 2020 code for Refuse and salvage occupations. Refuse and salvage collectors supervise and undertake the collection and processing of refuse from household, commercial and industrial premises.
What job titles use SOC code 9225?
GOV.UK lists: Recycling operatives, Refuse collectors, Refuse and salvage 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.