If you are an international professional looking to work in the UK, one of the major hurdles is securing a job from an employer that is willing (and legally able) to sponsor your work visa. The old Tier 2 Visa scheme has largely been replaced by the the Skilled Worker visa route, but many of the principles remain the same: the employer must hold a valid sponsor licence, the job must meet skill and salary thresholds, and you must satisfy eligibility.
In this blog:
We’ll explain what “Tier 2 / Skilled Worker visa sponsorship” means in practice.
We’ll look at job types and sectors that commonly provide sponsorship.
We’ll list example companies known to sponsor international hires.
We’ll cover how to find such jobs, pitfalls to watch out for, and tips to strengthen your chances.
The Tier 2 (General) visa was the older route for skilled workers coming to the UK.
In 2020, the UK replaced much of the Tier 2 visa structure with the Skilled Worker visa under the points-based immigration system.
The principle remains similar: the employer must be a licensed sponsor (i.e. approved by the UK Home Office), and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
The job must meet certain requirements (skill level, salary threshold, English language, etc.).
The UK Home Office maintains a Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers (the “sponsor list”).
Only companies on that register can legally issue sponsorships for work visas.
A licence can be revoked, suspended, or downgraded if the company fails compliance inspections.
To get a Skilled Worker / Tier 2 visa, you (the employee/applicant) typically must:
Have a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor.
The job must be at or above the required skill level (often RQF level 3 or above).
Meet the minimum salary threshold specified for that role.
Show English language ability as required.
Use the Certificate of Sponsorship assigned by the employer when applying.
While no job is guaranteed to come with sponsorship, certain sectors and roles are more likely to provide them because of skills shortages, global demand, and the nature of the work. Here are some:
| Sector / Role Type | Common Jobs That Offer Sponsorship | Why They Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology / Software | Software engineers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, cloud architects, cybersecurity roles | High demand, global talent pool, often difficult to fill locally |
| Consulting & Professional Services | Strategy consultants, business analysts, management consultants, IT consulting | Big firms have global operations and often sponsor overseas talent |
| Finance & Banking | Analysts, risk managers, quantitative roles, fintech | Financial institutions compete globally |
| Pharmaceuticals / Life Sciences | Researchers, biochemists, drug development, regulatory affairs | Specialized technical skills |
| Engineering & Manufacturing | Mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace engineers | Complex technical roles |
| Healthcare & Social Care | Nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, care workers | High demand in the NHS and health sector |
| Accounting, Audit & Tax | Chartered accountants, auditors, tax advisors | Big accounting firms sponsor overseas candidates |
| Retail, Logistics & Supply Chain | Sometimes in senior roles or niche operational functions | Less common, but possible in large firms |
| Creative & Media | Digital marketing, UX/UI, media planning, animation | Niche roles that sometimes command sponsorship |
Examples from job portals:
On Indeed, you’ll find “Information Technology Tier 2 visa sponsorship” roles.
On Glassdoor, there are currently ~98 listings tagged “Tier 2 sponsorship” across various roles.
On general job boards, roles such as “Heat Pump Installer / Engineer — Tier 2 Sponsorship available” appear.
Below are example organizations — large firms or ones frequently cited — that have histories of sponsoring overseas talent. Note: being on this list doesn’t guarantee they are hiring with sponsorship right now. Always verify in the job posting.
PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY — well-known “Big 4” accounting / advisory firms.
HSBC, Barclays — large banks that sometimes sponsor employees.
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) — in life sciences / pharma.
Unilever — large consumer goods / FMCG companies often have global talent needs.
Rolls-Royce — engineering / aerospace.
National Health Service (NHS) — in healthcare, especially for medical professionals.
A long list of UK-based consulting firms (strategy / management / tech consulting) maintain Tier 2 lists.
Examples: Accenture Strategy, Bain & Company, AlixPartners, BCG Digital Ventures, Deloitte Strategy & Operations, etc.
Many mid- and small-size companies also hold sponsorship licences — including firms in technology, engineering services, healthcare, and research sectors
In social care in the UK, many care providers have been granted licence to sponsor care workers under “care worker visa.” Note: some new care agencies have come under scrutiny for being questionable or exploitative.
Just because a company is on the licensed sponsor list doesn’t mean they are actively hiring with sponsorship at the moment.
Some care providers with licences have raised concerns over governance, oversight, or legitimacy.
Here’s a strategy you can use to find jobs in the UK that provide visa sponsorship:
Download or view the Register of Licensed Sponsors (for workers) from the UK government.
Use that to filter or cross-check companies you see in job postings.
Many job sites allow you to filter by “visa sponsorship available”
For instance, Indeed and LinkedIn often show roles with “visa sponsorship” tags.
Some niche sites list “Tier 2 / Skilled Worker sponsorship jobs” directly.
When you find a job, look up the company on the sponsor register to verify they have a licence.
Also check their recent news or compliance status (some licences are revoked or suspended).
Focus on roles/sectors where sponsorship is more common (IT, healthcare, engineering, consulting).
Emphasize skills, certifications, or specializations that differentiate you.
Connect with HR / recruiters / employees of companies you’re targeting.
Ask politely whether they support overseas applicants / visa sponsorship.
Share a well-optimized profile highlighting your skills, experience, and readiness to relocate.
In your CV / cover letter, you can mention “eligible for Skilled Worker visa / willing to relocate” (if true).
Emphasize how your skills fill gaps or add value.
Be prepared to explain the sponsorship process (to show you understand what employer must do).
Avoid agencies or recruiters requiring large upfront payments for “visa assistance” — always confirm legitimacy.
Be aware of compliance & exploitation issues, especially in sectors like care.
Check whether the employer is regulated in their domain (e.g. health providers in the UK need oversight).
Licence revocation / non-compliance: A sponsor licence isn’t permanent. Employers can lose it if they fail compliance checks.
False promises: Some agencies or companies may promise sponsorship but not deliver.
Low salary or role mismatch: Even if a job “offers sponsorship,” the role or pay may not meet visa eligibility thresholds.
Exploitative practices: In sectors like care, there have been reports of migrant workers being exploited or misled.
Changing immigration rules: Visa requirements (salary thresholds, eligible roles, etc.) can change over time.
Gradual withdrawal: Some big firms are scaling back sponsorship for certain entry-level roles due to tightened rules (e.g. KPMG rescinded offers for foreign graduates).
Here are some example job roles being advertised currently that mention visa sponsorship (i.e. eligible for Tier 2 / visa support):
Heat Pump Installer / Engineer (Tier 2 Sponsorship available) — a technical on-site engineer role.
Home Care Assistant / Care Assistant roles with visa sponsorship in the UK.
Associate Dentist roles stating “UK visa sponsorship” in dental practices.
Office Administrator roles with visa sponsorship.
Consulting / advisory roles in management consulting firms that maintain Tier 2 sponsoring status.
These show how sponsorship is being applied to both skilled roles (engineering, health, dentistry) and more administrative or support roles, though the latter may be rarer.
Specialize / get in-demand skills — e.g. AI/ML, cloud, full stack, niche healthcare specialties
Gain relevant experience — 2–5+ years is often more attractive to employers willing to invest in sponsorship
Get certifications — industry-standard qualifications increase credibility
Research and target companies on the sponsor list
Highlight relocation & visa readiness — show you are well-prepared
Be flexible — open to different cities, roles, or sectors
Stay updated — immigration rules, salary thresholds, and visa categories can change
Use recruitment agencies specializing in overseas placements
Prepare a compelling case for why hiring you is worth the sponsorship cost
Is the Tier 2 visa still in use?
Not exactly. The UK replaced most of the Tier 2 system with the Skilled Worker visa under its newer points-based immigration regime. But many still refer to “Tier 2 visa sponsorship” colloquially to mean “employer-sponsored work visa.”
Does being on the Sponsor List guarantee I’ll get a job?
No. Being listed means the employer can sponsor visas, but they may or may not be hiring, or for roles that meet your qualifications. You still need to win the job competitively and meet visa criteria.
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
It depends on the job, region, and role level. The Home Office publishes updated salary thresholds which applicants must meet or exceed for a role to be eligible.
Can any employer sponsor a visa?
No. Only organizations that successfully apply for and maintain a sponsor licence can sponsor employees.
What if my employer loses their licence after issuing me a CoS?
This can complicate matters. You may need to switch employers or ensure your visa remains valid under another sponsor.
Can I bring my family / dependents?
Yes, in many cases the Skilled Worker visa allows dependents (spouse / children) to come, provided you meet income thresholds and other conditions.
