Skilled Worker Visa for Construction Workers

How Construction Jobs Qualify

The Skilled Worker visa is open to jobs at RQF Level 3 or above. RQF Level 3 is roughly the level of A-levels or a skilled trade qualification. Your job decides whether you qualify, not your personal qualifications.

Each job has a SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code. The code sets the skill level and the going rate for the role. To check whether your role qualifies, look at the list of eligible jobs and find your SOC code.

Professional and Managerial Roles

Several construction roles sit clearly above the skill threshold. These include:

• Construction and site managers
• Quantity surveyors
• Civil engineers and structural engineers
• Building surveyors and project managers

These roles are well established on the Skilled Worker route. If you work in engineering, you may also find the guide for engineers useful.

Skilled Trades

Some skilled building trades qualify because they sit at RQF Level 3. Bricklaying is one example. Other building trades may qualify too, but the list changes, so you must check the current list of eligible occupations on GOV.UK before you rely on a trade being included.

The key point is the skill level of the role. A skilled, time-served trade is more likely to qualify than a general site role.

Roles That Usually Do Not Qualify

Lower-skilled labouring roles generally do not qualify for the Skilled Worker route. These roles sit below RQF Level 3. A general construction operative or basic labourer cannot usually be sponsored.

If your current job title does not qualify, a more senior or more skilled role with the same employer might. The role you are sponsored for must match what you actually do.