Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a coffee shop worker?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a coffee shop worker (SOC 9266).
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 9266 (Coffee shop workers) 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 | Coffee shop workers |
|---|---|
| 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 9266
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Coffee shop workers
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (2)
- Barista
- Coffee shop assistant
What the job involves
Coffee shop workers make and serve coffee, food and other beverages in coffee shops and cafés, and perform various cleaning, fetching and carrying tasks.
Typical tasks
- Takes customer orders, makes and serves coffee and other refreshments
- Receives payment for drinks and gives change
- Cleans and tidies service area, kitchen surfaces, crockery, cutlery, glassware, kitchen utensils and disposes of rubbish
- Keeps service area well stocked
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job. Qualifications to become a barista are available.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 9266
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a coffee shop worker?
No. You cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a coffee shop worker (SOC 9266). SOC 2020 code 9266 (Coffee shop workers) 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 9266?
9266 is the SOC 2020 code for Coffee shop workers. Coffee shop workers make and serve coffee, food and other beverages in coffee shops and cafés, and perform various cleaning, fetching and carrying tasks.
What job titles use SOC code 9266?
GOV.UK lists: Coffee shop workers.
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.