- A sponsorship job is one where a UK employer is licensed by the Home Office to sponsor non-UK nationals for a work visa — typically the Skilled Worker visa. The employer provides a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is required for your visa application.
The Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in the UK in eligible skilled roles. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa. As of 2025, key requirements include:
A job offer from a licensed sponsor.
Meeting the salary threshold (now at least £25,000/year or £10.75/hour).
The job being at RQF Level 6 or above (bachelor’s level).
Adequate English language skills.
Some sectors regularly sponsor foreign workers:
Healthcare (NHS roles like nurses, doctors, care workers)
IT & Technology (software developers, data scientists)
Engineering & Construction
Financial Services (analysts, auditors, fintech roles)
Education & Academia (teachers, researchers)
Hospitality and Social Care (for shortage occupations)
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic document issued by your UK employer. It includes details about your job and your employer’s sponsorship license. You’ll need this reference number to apply for your visa.
There are two types:
Defined CoS – for overseas applicants
Undefined CoS – for applicants already in the UK
You can check the official list of licensed sponsors here: Register of Licensed Sponsors (UK) You can also search job platforms with keywords like “visa sponsorship” or filter by companies known to sponsor.
No. Only licensed sponsors can provide sponsorship, and not every role qualifies. Always confirm:
That the employer is on the licensed sponsor list.
That the job meets the visa requirements (skill and salary).
Costs (as of 2025) include:
Visa application fee: £610–£1,408 (depends on duration)
Healthcare surcharge: £1,035/year
Optional priority processing: additional fee
Note: Employers must not pass sponsorship or CoS fees to employees (per 2025 reforms).
Fee calculator: gov.uk/visa-fees
Usually up to 5 years, after which you can apply to extend it or seek Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). From 2025, the ILR period has increased to 10 years.
Yes. You can bring dependants, including a spouse/partner and children under 18. They must apply separately and pay visa and healthcare fees.
If your job ends, you must find a new sponsored role within 60 days or leave the UK. If changing employers, your new sponsor must issue a new CoS and you must reapply for the visa.
Salary threshold raised to £25,000
Skill level increased to RQF Level 6
ILR residency period extended to 10 years
Employers prohibited from charging workers for CoS
Increased compliance checks for sponsors
Yes. Many UK employers sponsor applicants from abroad, especially in healthcare and tech. You’ll receive a Defined CoS, then apply online for your visa.
No. Only full-time, permanent or contract jobs are eligible under the Skilled Worker visa. Freelance or gig economy jobs (e.g., Uber, Deliveroo) are not eligible.
Yes, if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor before your Student visa expires, and the job meets the Skilled Worker requirements.
That means they are not on the licensed sponsor list or are unwilling to take on the sponsorship process. In such cases, look for employers who clearly advertise “visa sponsorship available.”