Knowing how to find a UK licensed sponsor is the single most useful skill for anyone seeking a work visa. Only organisations on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and the register is updated almost every working day.
Since July 2025, the Skilled Worker route mainly covers degree-level jobs, plus medium-skilled roles on the temporary shortage list until at least 31 December 2026. A sponsor licence alone is not enough: the job’s occupation code and salary must also qualify.
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This guide shows how to search the register, check roles and verify offers. Related: Engineering Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship – Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer Salaries 2026 and Warehouse Worker Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship No Experience Needed.
In this guide
Sponsored Worker Jobs in UK at a Glance
| Role | Country | Typical pay | Visa / permit route | Key requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree-level roles | UK | £41,700+ or going rate | Skilled Worker | Eligible SOC code | Professionals |
| Shortage-list trades | UK | TSL rates | Skilled Worker (TSL) | Listed SOC code | Electricians, welders |
| Health roles | UK | NHS pay scales | Health and Care Worker | Registration | Nurses, doctors |
1. Types of Sponsored Worker Jobs in UK
These are the main sponsored worker roles employers advertise in UK, from entry level to roles that may qualify for sponsorship.
Skilled Worker sponsors
Most employers on the register, rated A or B.
Health and Care sponsors
NHS trusts and registered health providers.
Seasonal Worker scheme operators
Only approved operators sponsor seasonal farm workers.
Global Business Mobility sponsors
Intra-company transfers for multinationals.
Scale-up and other routes
Fast-growing companies and specialist routes.
2. Sponsored Worker Salary in UK for 2026
Sponsors must pay the higher of the general threshold and the going rate (unless a discount applies):
| Level | Hourly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General threshold | — | £41,700 | Most new applications |
| New entrant | — | £33,400 | Under 26, recent graduates |
| Immigration Salary List | — | £33,400 | Until 31 December 2026 for most roles |
| National pay scale health/education | — | £25,000+ | Or pay scale rate |
Source: GOV.UK Skilled Worker salary rules (from 22 July 2025).
3. Work Visas for Foreign Sponsored Workers in UK – Visa Types
Which route each sponsor type supports:
| Visa / route | Who it’s for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Eligible occupations | Yes | Official page |
| Health and Care Worker | Eligible health roles | Yes | Official page |
| Seasonal Worker | Horticulture and poultry | Scheme operator | Official page |
| Global Talent | No sponsor needed | No | Official page |
4. Companies Offering Visa Sponsored Sponsored Worker Jobs – Where to Check Vacancies
Official tools to use when searching for sponsors:
| Employer | What they do | Official careers page |
|---|---|---|
| Register of Licensed Sponsors | Download the latest list (CSV) | www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers |
| Eligible occupations list | Check SOC codes | www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes |
| Temporary shortage list | Medium-skilled roles | www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-temporary-shortage-list/skilled-worker-visa-temporary-shortage-list |
| Companies House | Verify company details | find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |
Before applying, search each company’s legal name on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. If it is not on the register, it cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.
5. Employment Agencies to Find Opportunities – International Recruitment
These recruitment agencies and official job boards are real and verifiable. Contact them only through the websites below; we list websites rather than phone numbers because official sites always carry the latest office contacts.
| Agency / service | Focus | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| DWP Find a job | Government job board | findajob.dwp.gov.uk |
| NHS Jobs | Health roles | www.jobs.nhs.uk |
| Hays UK | Skilled recruitment | www.hays.co.uk |
| Official adviser finder | Regulated immigration advisers | www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser |
Legitimate agencies are paid by employers. In the UK, agencies are generally prohibited from charging work-seekers a fee for finding them work.
6. Requirements and Documents for Sponsored Worker Visa Applications
Missing or inconsistent documents cause most refusals. Prepare these before your CoS is assigned:
- Valid passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a licensed sponsor — the employer assigns it; you never buy it.
- English at B2 level for most new Skilled Worker applicants (from 8 January 2026) via an approved SELT, unless exempt.
- TB test certificate if your country is on the UK TB test list.
- Savings of £1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.
- Criminal record certificates where the job requires them (care, health, education).
- Qualification certificates and certified translations.
- Your CoS reference number, job title, SOC code and salary as stated by the sponsor.
Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge change regularly — check the official fees table on the day you apply.
7. Steps to Get Sponsored Worker Visa Sponsorship and How to Apply
- Confirm the job is eligible in the eligible occupations list. If its SOC code is ineligible, no employer can sponsor it.
- Shortlist licensed sponsors using the Register of Licensed Sponsors.
- Prepare a UK-style CV (two pages, no photo, measurable results, your visa position stated clearly).
- Apply through official channels: employer careers pages, NHS Jobs, DWP Find a job or a verifiable agency.
- Interview and checks: competency interview, references and any registration checks.
- Receive your CoS. The sponsor pays the licence and Immigration Skills Charge; these costs must not be passed to you.
- Apply online on GOV.UK, pay the fee and surcharge, and attend biometrics.
- Activate your eVisa before travelling.
8. Permanent Residence (Settlement) Pathways for Sponsored Workers
The UK has no Express Entry-style PR draw. You build lawful residence on a qualifying route, then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Only time on qualifying routes, such as Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker, counts towards ILR.
| Pathway | Qualifying period | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker → ILR | 5 years continuous lawful residence (current rule) | gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain |
| Health and Care Worker → ILR | 5 years; salary and sponsor rules still apply | gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa |
| Global Talent → ILR | 3 or 5 years | gov.uk/global-talent |
| ILR → British citizenship | Usually 12 months after ILR + Life in the UK test | gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen |
| Seasonal Worker / Youth Mobility | Not settlement routes | gov.uk/youth-mobility |
2026 update: proposals to raise the standard qualifying period from five to ten years (“earned settlement”) had not become law by October 2026, so the five-year rule still applies. B2 English for many settlement applications starts on 26 March 2027.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
Use this checklist to confirm you can meet the rules for sponsored worker roles before you apply:
- Sponsor appears on the register with the correct route (Skilled Worker / Health and Care).
- SOC code is eligible.
- Salary meets the threshold or going rate.
- You meet English (B2) and other requirements.
- Job is genuine — the Home Office can refuse if it appears created for immigration purposes.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification and Embassy Contacts
UK visas are applied for online; biometrics are taken at a Home Office-appointed visa application centre, not at the embassy. Embassies never sell jobs or pre-approve sponsorship.
- British embassies and high commissions: gov.uk/world/embassies.
- UKVI contact centre: 0300 790 6268 (+44 300 790 6268 from abroad) — official contact page.
- Verify the employer on the sponsor register and call the number on its official website.
- Verify the CoS: the job title, SOC code and salary must match your written offer.
- Verify advisers on the official immigration adviser finder.
- Report fraud to Action Fraud.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Paying anyone for a CoS, job offer or “embassy letter” — selling a CoS is illegal.
- Applying for an ineligible SOC code or accepting pay below the threshold or going rate.
- Trying to work on a Visitor visa.
- Fake English certificates or bank statements, which can lead to a 10-year ban.
- Assuming any company on the register will sponsor any job — the role must qualify too.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Sponsored workers get the same rights as British workers: at least the National Living Wage (£12.71/hour from April 2026), 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday, sick pay, a workplace pension and NHS access. Dependants are allowed on degree-level Skilled Worker roles but not on medium-skilled shortage-list roles.
| First-month cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee + health surcharge | Check official fees | Some sponsors reimburse |
| Rent deposit | Up to 5 weeks’ rent (England) | Must be protected in a government scheme |
| Council Tax, energy, transport | Varies by region | Budget one month before first payslip |
| Bank account, NI number | Free | Use your eVisa share code |
Official Websites to Apply for Sponsorship Visas
- Skilled Worker visa – GOV.UK
- Health and Care Worker visa – GOV.UK
- Register of Licensed Sponsors
- DWP Find a job
- NHS Jobs
FAQs: Sponsored Worker Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship
How do I find a UK licensed sponsor?
Download the Register of Licensed Sponsors from GOV.UK, filter by town, route and company name, then check the company’s careers page for roles that fit your skills.
Does being on the register mean the employer will sponsor me?
No. It only means the employer can sponsor. The job must qualify and the employer must choose to offer sponsorship.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
An electronic record with a reference number assigned by your sponsor in the Home Office system. It is not a paper certificate and is not sold.
How do I check a CoS is genuine?
Confirm the sponsor is on the register, contact them via official channels and check the job title, SOC code and salary match your offer.
Who pays for the CoS?
The sponsor pays the CoS fee and Immigration Skills Charge. Charging a worker for these is prohibited.
What is an A-rated sponsor?
A sponsor in good standing. B-rated sponsors are on an action plan and cannot issue new CoS until they improve.
Can I search sponsors by industry?
The register lists route and location, not industry, so combine it with job boards and company websites.
Where do I report a CoS scam?
Report it to Action Fraud and to the Home Office through its official reporting channels.
Conclusion
Learning how to find a UK licensed sponsor protects you from scams and saves months. Use the official register, check SOC codes and salaries, verify every CoS and never pay for sponsorship.
Next, read Software Developer Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship 2026 – Salaries, Employers and Global Talent Options, or browse all Career Advice guides and Jobs in UK.
Disclaimer: ConvertKind Jobs publishes independent career guides. We are not an employer, recruiter, immigration adviser or law firm, and we never charge fees. Nothing here guarantees a job, sponsorship or visa. Rules, salary thresholds and fees change often, so always confirm on the official government website before you apply.