Elementary storage occupations not elsewhere classified. (SOC 9259, also written as job code 9259) 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 9259 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 9259Job holders in this unit group supply berthed ships with water, oil and petroleum, load and unload cargo from ships, boats and barges, and perform other elementary goods handling and storage related tasks not classified elsewhere in minor group 925: Elementary storage occupations.
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided off or on-the-job. Vocational qualifications in Warehousing and Storage at levels 1, 2 and 3 and in Port Operations at levels 2 and 3 are available.
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most elementary storage occupations n.e.c. in the UK earn between £28,184 and ~£35,880 in basic pay.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
Roles classified under SOC 9259 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 9259. Elementary storage occupations not elsewhere classified. 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 9259, SOC code 9259 and occupation code 9259 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering elementary storage occupations not elsewhere classified.. 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 9259 covers a range of elementary storage occupations not elsewhere classified. roles, including: Dockers, slingers and stevedores, Elementary storage occupations 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 9259 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.