Forestry and related workers (SOC 9112) 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.
Forestry workers perform a variety of tasks related to the planting, cultivation and protection of trees.
There are no minimum academic entry requirements. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by short courses covering specialised skills. Vocational qualifications in Forestry and Arboriculture are available at levels 2 and 3, together with BTEC diplomas and apprenticeships in some areas.
Roles classified under SOC 9112 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:
SOC 9112 doesn't qualify, but these related occupations do:
Not under SOC 9112. Forestry and related workers 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 9112 covers a range of forestry and related workers roles, including: Forest workers, Park wardens, Forestry and related workers 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 9112 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.