Relocating to the UK for Work: A list of companies that can sponsor visas in UK [2025]

Relocating to the United Kingdom for work offers exciting professional opportunities and the chance to build a new life in a wealthy stable country. A crucial part of this journey involves finding employment with companies that sponsor work visas. This article will outline a list of companies that can sponsor visas in UK.

Highlighting companies that sponsor visas in the UK, helping you navigate this essential step confidently.

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Understanding UK Visa Sponsorship

To legally work in the UK as a skilled worker, you’ll typically require sponsorship from a licensed employer. The UK’s Home Office maintains a register of businesses authorised to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). A valid CoS is a requirement for obtaining visas such as the Skilled Worker Visa or the Health and Care Worker Visa.

Unskilled Shortage Occupation List UK

There are some work visas in the UK that don’t require visa sponsorship. Which we discuss in detail in our article How to move to the UK without a job.

Types of Companies Offering Sponsorship

Companies across numerous sectors sponsor visas, especially those experiencing skills shortages or requiring highly specialised talent. These industries commonly include technology, finance, healthcare, engineering, and education.

List of Companies That Can Sponsor Visas in the UK

Technology Companies

• Google UK: Regularly sponsors visas, seeking skilled tech professionals, developers, and engineers
• Amazon UK: Known for sponsoring visas for a variety of positions in technology and logistics
• Microsoft: Offers visa sponsorship to technology professionals, including software engineers and product managers
• IBM UK: Actively sponsors skilled workers across technical roles and consultancy positions

Financial and Professional Services

• HSBC: Frequently sponsors international talent for banking, risk management, and financial analysis roles
• PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY: These ‘Big Four’ accounting firms sponsor visas in finance, consulting, audit, and advisory sectors
• Barclays Bank: Provides sponsorship opportunities in banking, finance, and technology-related positions

Healthcare Sector

• NHS Trusts: The largest sponsor of work visas, consistently recruiting international medical professionals, nurses, and healthcare workers
• Bupa: Sponsors skilled healthcare professionals and administrative healthcare staff
• Care UK: Actively sponsors care workers, nurses, and health assistants

Engineering and Construction

• Arup: Frequently sponsors engineers, architects, and construction experts
• BAE Systems: Specialises in sponsoring skilled professionals in aerospace and defence engineering
• Rolls-Royce: Offers sponsorship primarily to engineers in aviation, automotive, and energy sectors

Academic and Education

• Universities and Higher Education Institutions: Leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London, regularly sponsor academic and research positions.
• International Schools and Colleges: Sponsor qualified educators, teaching assistants, and administrative staff.

How to Identify a list of Companies that can sponsor visas in UK

The UK’s Home Office publishes an updated register of licensed sponsors. It’s advisable to regularly check this list to confirm that your potential employer holds a valid sponsorship license.

• Official Home Office Sponsor Register: Official website, updated regularly, providing the most accurate source for identifying sponsored employers.
• Job Portals and Recruitment Agencies: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor often highlight if visa sponsorship is available in job descriptions.

How to Approach Companies That Sponsor Visas

Tailoring Your Application

Highlight your eligibility clearly in your CV and cover letter. Clearly state your visa requirement status and demonstrate how your skills directly align with job criteria. This transparency helps employers quickly identify you as a viable candidate.

Networking and Research

Join industry events, professional networks, and online platforms such as LinkedIn groups or expat forums. Networking helps gain insider knowledge about companies actively sponsoring international talent.

Common Requirements for Companies That Sponsor Visas

Companies sponsoring UK work visas must meet several criteria set by the Home Office, including:

• Being legally registered and operational in the UK.
• Demonstrating compliance with immigration law.
• Offering employment that meets skill and salary thresholds set by the Home Office.

Benefits of Working for a Company That Sponsors Visas

Working for a sponsor company in the UK provides various benefits, including:

• Stable Employment: Typically, sponsor companies are reputable and financially stable organisations.
• Career Development: Opportunity for career progression in respected companies with robust professional development programmes.
• Long-Term Residency Potential: Securing a skilled worker visa can eventually lead to settlement or permanent residency.

Challenges and Solutions

Visa Application Timelines

Visa processing can take time. Applicants should prepare documents well in advance and clearly understand their employer’s responsibilities in the sponsorship process.

Legal Requirements and Compliance

Ensure your employer remains compliant with sponsorship obligations throughout your employment, maintaining detailed records and adhering strictly to Home Office regulations.

Moving Beyond Initial Sponsorship

Once you’ve established yourself in a sponsored role, pathways open towards permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) and eventual British citizenship, provided you meet criteria like duration of stay and maintaining employment.

Final Tips for Securing Employment with a Sponsor

• Stay Informed: Regularly review the sponsor licence register.
• Tailored Applications: Clearly articulate your eligibility and suitability.
• Network Effectively: Engage in professional networking, attend job fairs, and join relevant online communities.

Moving to the UK for work through visa sponsorship opens doors to promising professional opportunities, cultural enrichment, and personal growth. By targeting companies actively sponsoring work visas, thoroughly understanding requirements, and strategically preparing your applications, your UK work relocation can be successful and rewarding. Familiarising yourself with companies that sponsor visas is a vital first step in making your professional ambitions a reality in the UK.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

🇬🇧 What does visa sponsorship mean in the UK?
Visa sponsorship means a UK employer has permission from the Home Office to hire overseas workers. The company issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which you need to apply for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa.

🏢 Which companies sponsor work visas in the UK?
Many large and mid-sized organisations sponsor visas, including Google UK, Amazon, Microsoft, NHS Trusts, Deloitte, and Rolls-Royce. You can view the full, official list on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors.

💼 What are the most common industries for visa sponsorship?
The top sectors include technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, education, and professional services — all facing ongoing skills shortages in 2025.

🧾 How do I find out if a company can sponsor my visa?
Check the official UK Government Sponsor Licence Register, updated regularly. You can also filter jobs on websites like Indeed or LinkedIn using terms such as “visa sponsorship”.

📋 What are the requirements for a company to sponsor visas in the UK?
Companies must:

• Hold a valid sponsorship licence.
• Offer genuine employment that meets skill and salary thresholds.
• Comply with immigration and reporting obligations set by the Home Office.

🌍 Can I apply to UK companies from abroad?
Yes! Many UK employers sponsor international candidates directly from overseas. Once hired, your employer provides the Certificate of Sponsorship, and you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

🧳 Can I change jobs or employers once I’m in the UK on a sponsored visa?
Yes — but you’ll need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer and must update your visa. You cannot start your new job until the updated visa is approved.

💷 How much do I need to earn to qualify for visa sponsorship in the UK?
From April 2024, the general minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is £38,700. Some roles on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List) have lower salary requirements.

📅 How long does a UK work visa last?
Most Skilled Worker visas are valid for up to 5 years, and you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after that period — paving the way for British citizenship.

🧠 What’s the best way to approach companies that sponsor visas?
Tailor your CV and cover letter to UK standards, clearly mention your visa status, and demonstrate how your skills meet the job requirements. Networking on LinkedIn and through industry events also helps connect with employers that hire international talent.

✅ Tip: Focus on sectors that are actively sponsoring international professionals — such as healthcare, tech, and engineering — and always verify a company’s licence before applying.

Have questions or want help choosing the right visa? Subscribe or explore more articles on UK visas and immigration tips.

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