Working in the UK: how visa sponsorship actually works

In the UK, an employer can only hire a non-UK/Irish worker through the Skilled Worker route if they hold a Home Office sponsor licence. Not every employer has one. When a listing says 'visa sponsorship available', always verify directly.

The employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a reference number you use in your visa application. Without this, you cannot apply. The visa is tied to that specific employer and role.

Filter by 'Visa Sponsorship' on the jobs page to see labelled roles. Confirm with the employer in writing during your interview process — before you resign from anything.

The general minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa is £38,700/year as of April 2024 (or the going rate for your specific occupation code, if higher). This rules out many entry-level roles.

Some shortage occupations — including healthcare and certain engineering roles — have lower thresholds. Always check your specific SOC code against the official Home Office tables.

Roles paying below threshold won't qualify. If an employer offers £30,000 and mentions sponsorship, ask them to explain specifically which visa route applies.

The Home Office publishes a Register of Licensed Sponsors — a public list of every employer approved to sponsor workers. You can search it by company name before investing time in their process.

Tech, finance, engineering, healthcare, and professional services have the highest concentration of active sponsors. But the sector matters less than the specific employer.

On Global Sponsor Hub, filter by the 'Visa Sponsorship' label as a starting point, then verify directly with the employer early in the process.

• Switching roles: if you change jobs, your new employer needs to issue a new CoS. Moving employers means restarting the process.
• Probation: your visa is valid during probation. But check for clawback clauses on visa costs if you leave within 12–24 months.
• Family: your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants and work freely in the UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year) applies to each family member.
• Settlement: after 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent residency.