Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “bar staff”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “bar staff” (SOC 9265).
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 9265 (Bar staff) 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 | Bar staff |
|---|---|
| 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 9265
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Bar staff
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (5)
- Barmaid
- Bar staff
- Bartender
- Glass collector (public house)
- Mixologist (beverages)
What the job involves
Bar staff prepare, mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages at bars in public houses, hotels, clubs and other establishments.
Typical tasks
- Assists in keeping bar properly stocked
- Washes used glassware and cleans and tidies bar area
- Takes customer orders and mixes and serves drinks
- Receives payment for drinks
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job. Vocational qualifications in relevant areas are available at levels 1,2 and 3.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9265
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa for a job in “bar staff”?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa for a job in “bar staff” (SOC 9265). SOC 2020 code 9265 (Bar staff) 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 9265?
9265 is the SOC 2020 code for Bar staff. Bar staff prepare, mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages at bars in public houses, hotels, clubs and other establishments.
What job titles use SOC code 9265?
GOV.UK lists: Bar staff.
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.