Fishmongers and poultry dressers, classified under SOC code 5433, are skilled food-processing workers who prepare fish and poultry: scaling, gutting and filleting fish, dressing poultry carcasses, and weighing, packing and quality-checking the finished products. This guide explains how the role sits within the UK's immigration rules.
Important update: this role can no longer be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route for a new overseas hire. Since 22 July 2025 the Skilled Worker route only covers graduate-level (RQF6) occupations. Fishmongers and poultry dressers is a food-processing role below that level, so it lost access to the route when around 180 lower-skilled occupations were removed on the same date.
Is there any way to still sponsor this role?
A role below RQF6 can only be sponsored if the occupation appears on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). Fishmongers and poultry dressers is on neither list at the time of writing, so it cannot currently be sponsored for a new overseas hire. Both lists are reviewed periodically, and the Temporary Shortage List is due to lapse on 31 December 2026, so check the current lists before you rely on this. The Shortage Occupation List that used to apply was abolished in April 2024 and replaced by the ISL.
Workers already sponsored in this role before 22 July 2025 may be able to extend or change employer under transitional arrangements. If you are unsure, our team can confirm whether a specific role is still sponsorable.
What the role involves
SOC code 5433 covers skilled workers who:
- Scrub, de-scale, gut and fillet fish by hand or machine.
- Prepare and dress poultry carcasses, including removing feathers and offal and portioning.
- Weigh, label, pack and stack finished products.
- Maintain food hygiene and quality standards.
- Supervise others and monitor production targets.
What to do if you are hiring
For this trade, the Skilled Worker route is no longer an option for overseas hires. Focus on the domestic labour market, and check the current Immigration Salary List in case the position changes. For roles that are still eligible, we can help you sponsor with confidence.
How Borderless helps
If you hire internationally, we can confirm which roles are still eligible under the current rules and handle the sponsor licence and visa process for the roles that qualify. Book a demo to talk it through.
Automate Home Office Audits with Borderless
The Borderless platform provides a centralized system for all sponsorships, automating reminders for key tasks and ensuring best practices across your organization, simplifying audit preparation and ongoing compliance.
