UK Companies Sponsoring Work Visas 2026: How to Find a Sponsor and Qualify
Last updated: 3 October 2026
To work in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you need a job offer from an employer that holds a sponsor licence from the Home Office. Thousands of UK organisations are licensed, from NHS trusts and universities to tech firms, engineering companies and care providers. This guide explains how to find them, what salary and skill level your job must meet in 2026, how much the visa costs, and the mistakes that most often lead to refusals.
What is a licensed sponsor?
Here’s what you need to know:
A licensed sponsor is an employer that the Home Office has approved to hire workers from overseas. When it offers you a job, the employer gives you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): an electronic record with a reference number that you use in your visa application. Without a CoS from a licensed sponsor, you can’t apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
How to find UK companies that sponsor visas
- Use the official Register of Licensed Sponsors. The Home Office publishes a list of every licensed employer on GOV.UK, updated regularly. You can download it and search by company name, town or route (“Skilled Worker”). Being on the list doesn’t mean the company is hiring, but it confirms it can sponsor.
- Search job sites with sponsorship filters. Many job boards let you filter for “visa sponsorship”. Also search for terms like “sponsorship available” or “Skilled Worker visa”.
- Target sectors that recruit internationally. Healthcare and social care, IT and software, engineering, education and research, finance and accountancy regularly hire overseas workers.
- Check employers’ careers pages. Large employers often say clearly whether they sponsor.
- Network on LinkedIn. Ask recruiters directly whether a role is open to sponsorship. It saves time for both sides.
Warning: a genuine employer will never ask you to pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship or a job offer. If anyone asks for money to “guarantee” a sponsored job, it’s very likely a scam.
Salary requirements in 2026
For most jobs, you must be paid at least £41,700 a year or the “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own going rate, published by the Home Office.
- New entrants (for example, recent graduates, or people under 26 in some cases) may qualify at a lower rate of £33,400 a year if they meet the other conditions.
- Health, care and education roles often follow national pay scales instead of the general threshold.
- You must also be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your hours.
Skill level: which jobs qualify?
Since 22 July 2025, the rules have been stricter. Jobs are classed as “higher skilled” or “medium skilled” by occupation code. Higher-skilled jobs generally qualify. Medium-skilled jobs only qualify if they appear on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, or fall under specific exceptions. People already on the route who got their first CoS before 22 July 2025 can usually still extend under the older rules.
To check your job, find its 4-digit occupation code. Ask your employer, or use the CASCOT tool linked on GOV.UK.
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee from outside the UK (up to 3 years) | £819 |
| Application fee from outside the UK (over 3 years) | £1,618 |
| Application fee from inside the UK (up to 3 years / over 3 years) | £943 / £1,865 |
| Immigration Salary List jobs (up to 3 years / over 3 years) | £628 / £1,235 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Proof of funds (unless exempt) | £1,270 held for 28 days |
Example: a 2-year visa applied for from outside the UK costs about £2,889 (£819 fee + £2,070 health surcharge), plus the £1,270 you must show in savings, unless your employer certifies your maintenance on the CoS.
Step-by-step: applying for the visa
- Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
- Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Prove your English language level, usually with an approved test or a degree taught in English.
- Apply online, up to 3 months before your job start date, and pay the fee and health surcharge.
- Prove your identity, by using the app or attending a visa centre.
- Wait for a decision: usually about 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside.
Common reasons applications are refused
- The salary is below the threshold or the going rate for the occupation code.
- The job is “medium skilled” and isn’t on an eligible list.
- The CoS details (job title, code, salary) don’t match the real job or your documents.
- Bank statements don’t show £1,270 for the full 28 days.
- Missing English language evidence.
Can I bring my family?
Your partner and children may be able to apply as your dependants. Each dependant pays their own application fee and health surcharge, and you may need to show extra funds for them. Rules for some care roles are stricter, so check GOV.UK for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is “Tier 2” the same as the Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. The Tier 2 (General) visa was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa in December 2020. Many people still search for “Tier 2 sponsors”.
How long does a Skilled Worker visa last?
Up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You can’t change employer without updating your visa.
Can international students switch to a Skilled Worker visa?
Often yes, from inside the UK, if you have a qualifying job offer. You may also consider the Graduate visa first.
Sources: GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa; Your job; How much it costs; Register of licensed sponsors. Immigration rules change often. Always check GOV.UK or speak to a regulated immigration adviser.
