Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs (SOC 8213, also written as job code 8213) 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.
Not sure if SOC 8213 applies to your situation?
The answer above is the general rule. Your case can be different if you already hold a visa and are extending or switching, if you were sponsored before a rule change, or depending on your salary. Our AI assistant can explain the full rules from gov.uk guidance.
Ask AI about SOC 8213Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs drive motor cars for private individuals, government departments and industrial and commercial organisations, drive taxis for public hire, drive new cars to delivery points and drive motorcycles and other motor vehicles.
No academic qualifications are required but most entrants require a clean, current driving licence and a medical examination. Local authorities typically set their own tests of local knowledge and additional driving tests before awarding licences.
Roles classified under SOC 8213 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 8213. Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs 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.
Job code 8213, SOC code 8213 and occupation code 8213 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs. The Home Office uses this 4-digit code on a Certificate of Sponsorship to check Skilled Worker visa eligibility and to set the going rate salary threshold for the role.
SOC 8213 covers a range of taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs roles, including: Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs. 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 8213 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.