9264 Waiters and waitresses
Unit group 9264 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.
In short
- ONS unit group 9264, in minor group 926 (Other elementary services occupations) and major group 9 (Elementary occupations).
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
- Going rate as the tables print it:
What the ONS says
Description
Waiters and waitresses serve food and beverages in hotels, clubs, restaurants public houses and other establishments.
Typical entry routes
There are no formal academic entry requirements, though some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available at levels 1 and 2.
Tasks
- sets tables with clean linen, cutlery, crockery and glassware
- presents menus and wine lists to patrons and may describe dishes and advise on selection of food or wines
- takes down orders for food and/or drinks and passes order to kitchen and/or bar
- serves food and drinks
- presents bill and accepts payment at end of the meal
Related job titles
- Food and beverage assistant
- Silver service waiter
- Steward (catering)
- Waiter
- Waitress
What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says
The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.
Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes
- SOC 2020 occupation code
- 9264 Waiters and waitresses
- Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
- Food and beverage assistant
- Silver service waiter
- Steward (catering)
- Waiter
- Waitress
Other unit groups in minor group 926
- 9261 Bar and catering supervisors
- 9262 Hospital porters
- 9263 Kitchen and catering assistants
- 9265 Bar staff
- 9266 Coffee shop workers
- 9267 Leisure and theme park attendants
- 9269 Other elementary services occupations n.e.c.
Sources
Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.
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