Production, factory and assembly supervisors (SOC 8160) 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.
Production, factory and assembly supervisors oversee operations and directly supervise and coordinate the technical and operational work of those carrying out production, manufacturing and assembly roles.
Academic qualifications may not be required but relevant experience is necessary, and some GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent academic or vocational qualification may be an advantage. Apprenticeships combining practical work experience and technical training are available in some areas.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most production, factory and assembly supervisors in the UK earn between £29,796 and £41,444 in basic pay.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Roles classified under SOC 8160 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 8160. Production, factory and assembly supervisors 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 8160 covers a range of production, factory and assembly supervisors roles, including: Production, factory and assembly supervisors. 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 8160 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.