Food, drink and tobacco process operatives (SOC 8111) does not currently qualify for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. The government considers it below the skill level required for the Skilled Worker route. There are closely related roles that do qualify, listed further down.
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives set, operate and attend machinery to bake, freeze, heat, crush, mix, blend and otherwise process foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco leaves.
There are no formal academic entry requirements, though some GCSEs/S grades can be an advantage. Off and on-the-job training is available. Vocational qualifications related to food and drink manufacturing, including apprenticeships, are available at up to level 3.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
Plus ~£686 in bonus & commission
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most food, drink and tobacco process operatives in the UK earn between £25,012 and £31,616 in basic pay, with experienced professionals in the top 10% earning above £35,724.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Roles classified under SOC 8111 fall below the RQF Level 6 skill threshold required for new Skilled Worker visa applications. Employers cannot sponsor new overseas workers for this specific occupation code.
If you're interested in this field, you have a few options:
Not under SOC 8111. Food, drink and tobacco process operatives is classified as Ineligible, which doesn't meet the requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship right now. That said, some closely related occupation codes in the same field are eligible, so have a look at the related codes section on this page.
SOC 8111 covers a range of food, drink and tobacco process operatives roles, including: Brewery and distillery workers, Dairy workers, Food process bakery workers, Tobacco workers, Food, drink and tobacco process operatives not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
SOC 8111 itself doesn't qualify, but that doesn't mean you're out of options. The most common workaround is finding a closely related role that falls under an eligible SOC code. We've listed any eligible alternatives further up this page. It's also worth looking into visa routes that aren't tied to a specific occupation, like the Global Talent visa, Graduate visa, or High Potential Individual visa.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.