How UK sponsorship works
- Employer must hold a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
- Employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- You apply for the visa with your CoS reference
- Visa fees: employer typically pays CoS (£239) and Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000/year)
- You pay: application fee (£719-£1,500) + Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year)
- Decision: 3 weeks (priority service available for £500 extra)
The UK sponsor register - 50,000+ employers
The Home Office publishes the full Register of Licensed Sponsors at gov.uk. Search by company name, industry, or location.
- A-Rating: highest tier, fewer compliance issues
- B-Rating: under monitoring, may have temporary issues
- Track licence type: Worker or Temporary Worker
- Use the register BEFORE applying - confirms employer can sponsor
Top UK sponsors by industry
| Industry | Notable sponsors | Volume tier |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare/NHS | NHS England, NHS Scotland trusts, Care UK | Highest |
| Tech | Google UK, Microsoft, Amazon UK, Revolut, Wise, Monzo | High |
| Banking | Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Standard Chartered | High |
| Consulting | PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, McKinsey, Bain | High |
| Education | Russell Group universities, Imperial, UCL, Oxford, Cambridge | Medium |
| Hospitality | Hilton UK, Marriott UK, Restaurant Group, JD Wetherspoon | Medium |
Salary requirements 2026
- General threshold: £41,700/year
- Immigration Salary List (ISL) discount: £33,400 for shortage occupations
- Health & Care discount: £29,000 (with NHS/care sponsor)
- New entrant rate (under 26, new to UK labour market): £33,400
- Going rate by occupation: SOC code determines actual minimum
Compare full thresholds: Salary Threshold Checker. UK-specific eligibility: UK Skilled Worker Checker.
Immigration Salary List (ISL) occupations
These occupations qualify for the £33,400 salary discount (down from £41,700):
- Registered nurses (paediatric, mental health, district)
- Veterinary surgeons and nurses
- Secondary school teachers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing
- Social workers
- Web designers, software developers (limited codes)
- Civil engineers
- Production managers in construction and mining
The ISL is being phased out under the White Paper - confirm current status.
How to search for UK sponsored jobs
- gov.uk sponsor register: filter by location and tier
- LinkedIn: filter 'visa sponsorship' or '#sponsorshipavailable'
- Indeed UK: search '[job title] visa sponsorship'
- Reed.co.uk: similar filters available
- NHS Jobs: built-in sponsorship indicators for healthcare
- Company career pages: many state 'we sponsor visas' explicitly
Application process
- Find job offer with licensed sponsor
- Sponsor issues Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Complete online application (within 3 months of CoS)
- Provide biometrics at Visa Application Centre
- Decision: 3 weeks standard, 5 working days priority (£500)
- Arrive in UK, collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days
2026 White Paper changes
The Immigration White Paper proposed key changes:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) eligibility extended from 5 to 10 years
- ISL discount being phased out gradually
- Salary thresholds reviewed annually
- Family route restrictions tightened
Full analysis: UK Immigration White Paper 2026.
Sık sorulan sorular
Do I have to pay for UK visa sponsorship?
Employer pays Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000/year) and Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£239). You pay application fee (£719-£1,500) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year).
Can I switch jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but you need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from the new employer and must apply for a change-of-employment visa update.
What is the UK Skilled Worker salary minimum?
£41,700/year general. Discounts: £33,400 for ISL occupations or new entrants, £29,000 for Health & Care jobs.
How long is the Skilled Worker visa valid?
Up to 5 years initially. Can be extended. Path to ILR: 5 years (current rules) or 10 years (post-White Paper changes for new applicants).
Can my family join me on a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Spouse/partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. They have full work rights.
What if my UK sponsor loses their licence?
You have 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor. If unable, you must leave the UK or switch to another visa category.
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