Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a kitchen or catering assistant?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a kitchen or catering assistant (SOC 9263).
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 9263 (Kitchen and catering assistants) 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 | Kitchen and catering assistants |
|---|---|
| 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 › 926 Other elementary services occupations |
Job titles under SOC 9263
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Kitchen and catering assistants
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Catering assistant
- Crew member (fast food outlet)
- Kitchen assistant
- Kitchen porter
- Sandwich artist
What the job involves
Kitchen and catering assistants assist in the preparation and service of food and beverages in restaurants, cafés and other eating establishments, and perform various cleaning, fetching and carrying tasks.
Typical tasks
- Cleans or prepares food for cooks by hand or machine
- Carries meat, vegetables and other foodstuffs from delivery van to storeroom and from storeroom to kitchen
- Cleans and tidies service area, kitchen surfaces, crockery, cutlery, glassware, kitchen utensils and disposes of rubbish
- Prepares and serves beverages and light refreshments, accepts payment and gives change
- Keeps service area well stocked
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs in relevant areas are available at levels 1 and 2.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9263
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a kitchen or catering assistant?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a kitchen or catering assistant (SOC 9263). SOC 2020 code 9263 (Kitchen and catering assistants) 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 9263?
9263 is the SOC 2020 code for Kitchen and catering assistants. Kitchen and catering assistants assist in the preparation and service of food and beverages in restaurants, cafés and other eating establishments, and perform various cleaning, fetching and carrying tasks.
What job titles use SOC code 9263?
GOV.UK lists: Kitchen and catering assistants.
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.