How do I Find Company for Sponsorship in UK?

Securing a company to sponsor your stay or work in the UK can be a game-changer, whether you’re aiming to study, work, or settle in the country long-term. However, navigating the sponsorship landscape can feel overwhelming, especially with evolving Visa regulations and a competitive job market. The good news? Thousands of UK-based companies are registered sponsors, and many are actively seeking skilled individuals from around the world. In this guide, we’ll break down practical steps to find a UK company that offers sponsorship, explain what sponsorship really means, and share resources that can help you target the right employers for your goals.

Explain what a sponsorship license is and why companies must have it to sponsor

A sponsorship license is official permission from the UK Home Office allowing an employer to hire non‑UK workers. Without the license, companies cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is mandatory for a Visa application.

Only licensed employers appear on the official sponsor register, including Reddit, SurgeGraph, Chrome Web Store, Financial Times, and GOV.UK+15YouTube+15.
The license ensures employers meet duties such as monitoring attendance, paying a suitable salary, and reporting changes to GOV.UK.

Types of UK Work Visas Requiring Sponsorship

Here’s a snapshot of major work visas that require sponsorship:

Visa Type	Purpose	Sponsored?
Skilled Worker	Skilled jobs on the eligible occupation list	Yes, LinkedIn+2. The Guardian + 2Financial Times + 2
Health & Care Worker	Nurses, health professionals with the NHS/approved employer	Yes (lower fees & salary threshold) Reiss Edwards
Scale-up Worker	Fast‑growing UK businesses recruiting high-skilled roles	Yes Reiss Edwards
Senior/Specialist Worker (Global Mobility)	Intra‑company transfers of overseas staff to the UK office	Yes Reiss Edwards
Creative Worker, Charity, Religious, etc.	Temporary Worker routes for short‑term roles	Yes GOV.UK Reiss Edwards

Unsponsored categories like the Graduate Route, High Potential Individual, or Global Talent visas don’t require employer sponsorship, but this guide focuses on sponsored routes.

How to find the official list of UK Home Office licensed sponsors

Step-by-step guide on accessing and filtering the official sponsorship register

Visit the UK Home Office sponsor register regularly, updated daily as of 1 August 2025, ouryclark.com, +15GOV.UK, +15Reiss Edwards, and +15QC Immigration.
Download the CSV or view the online table listing every licensed company, location, sub‑tier, and rating.
Filter by industry, town, or license type to identify firms in your field.
Check sponsor ratings—companies with an “A rating” are compliant and actively sponsoring.

Building a List of Potential Sponsoring Companies

Start with the filtered list from the register:

Focus on firms in your industry: tech, health, engineering, hospitality (if your role still qualifies under the short‑term shortage list until end‑2026), and GOV.UK+1QC Immigration+1Financial Times.
Cross-check LinkedIn and Glassdoor to confirm whether they recently sponsored.
Use Chrome extensions like the Ultimate UK Visa Sponsor Checker, which flags companies that have sponsored visas recently (updated through July 2025), Chrome Web Store.

Reaching Out to UK Employers Directly

How to Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter for UK Employers

Mention you’re open to sponsorship clearly in your covering message.
Emphasize eligibility‑driven keywords: “Certificate of Sponsorship”, “Skilled Worker visa”, “eligible for sponsorship”.
Highlight your role-specific achievements, especially in sectors on shortage lists (e.g., IT technicians, HR, marketing support), Financial Times Guardian.
Keep CV mobile‑friendly: single-column layout, bullet points, no dense blocks.

Tips on indicating your need and eligibility for sponsorship without deterring employers

Phrase positively:

“I hold a valid eligibility to work under a Skilled Worker sponsorship route and meet salary and English-language criteria.”
Avoid appearing demanding—stress readiness to handle submission logistics.

Where and how to find jobs that explicitly offer sponsorship

Use job portals with filters like “visa sponsorship UK”: LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor.
Set job alerts for keywords: “Visa Sponsorship”, “Skilled Worker Visa”.
Filter to industries hiring overseas talent.

Using UK Job Portals and Recruitment Agencies

Top portals:
- LinkedIn Jobs – Use saved searches for sponsorship roles, Reiss Edwards, LinkedIn +1Financial Times + 1
- Tech-specific boards—e.g., StackOverflow Jobs (filter sponsorship)
Recruitment agencies specializing in international hires (especially in IT and engineering): register and state sponsorship requirements.

Preparing for UK Job Interviews

Research typical UK interview formats: competency-based questions and the STAR method.
Explain how your skills support the sponsoring company’s business outcomes.
If working remotely now, test the tech setup (time zone, video quality, reliable connection).

Understanding the UK Points-Based Immigration System

The system requires a minimum of 70 points:
- Job offer from licensed sponsor (20 pts)
- Appropriate skill level and salary threshold (20–30 pts)
- English language (10)
- Qualifications, shortage occupation bonuses, PhD-level add-ons, Migration Observatory, Reiss Edwards (+1ouryclark.com.com.com, +1).
Salary thresholds raised to £38,700 or the median occupational rate in April 2024—lower for under‑26 shortage-list roles. The Guardian.

Legal Considerations for Sponsorship Agreements

Employers must pay the immigration skills charge, monitor CoS usage, and maintain record-keeping. British Film Commission – +4GOV.UK+4GOV.UK+4.
Ensure terms of employment (salary, hours) match what’s on the CoS.

If you studied in the UK, how to use university resources for sponsorship leads

University career services often have alumni employer contacts who hold sponsor licenses.
Attend university job fairs—even virtual ones—to connect with potential UK employers.
Use LinkedIn alumni search for people in similar visa situations.

Seeking Help from Immigration Consultants or Legal Experts

If confused by license types or your eligibility, consider a consultation with a regulated immigration adviser.
They can guide sponsor license complexities, CoS requirements, and salary thresholds legally.

Preparing Your Documents for a Visa Application

Ready: CoS reference number, valid passport, proof of funds (£1,270 or certified), English language test certificate, job offer letter.
Keep scanned copies organized and mobile-accessible—they simplify remote submission.

Staying Updated on UK Immigration Policies

Follow GOV.UK pages regularly—latest rule changes may affect eligible roles or thresholds (e.g., shortage list until end‑2026), LinkedIn Reiss Edwards.
Monitor Migration Advisory Committee developments—may tighten sponsorship in tech and engineering sectors. The Guardian + 2Financial Times+2Financial Times+2.

Additional Tips for Successfully Finding Sponsorship in the UK

Target long-tail SEO keywords to find under‑the-radar roles, such as “Skilled Worker visa nursing sponsorship UK” and “Scale-up visa software developer sponsor” (lower competition and useful for career content). surferseo.com SurgeGraph.
Join industry forums or Reddit threads to discover companies open to sponsoring; they often share experiences.
Create a spreadsheet tracker with company, contact person, application date, status, and follow‑up date.

FAQ

How Can I Find Companies That Offer Sponsorship in the UK?

Use the official Home Office sponsor register and filter by industry/location. Then cross-check via LinkedIn, job portals, or tools like Visa Sponsor Checker. Reach out directly with tailored messages.

Which Sectors Commonly Sponsor Overseas Workers in the UK?

High‑demand areas include IT, healthcare, engineering, hospitality roles (still a temporary shortage until the end of 2026), and academic and creative industries. Also, animal care, fitness coaching, and museum roles have received sponsorship lately, according to The Guardian and Financial Times.

What Qualifications or Skills Do I Need to Get Sponsorship?

You need a relevant qualification, typically RQF level 3 (equivalent to A-level or a degree for the highest roles). Skills in shortage occupations or digital niches help. English proficiency and meeting salary thresholds are mandatory.

How Do I Approach Companies for Sponsorship?

Use a professional, concise cover letter and CV. Clearly state you require sponsorship and emphasize your skill match and readiness. Avoid asking about sponsorship in the first line; position it as part of eligibility.

Are There UK Job Portals Dedicated to Sponsorship Jobs?

Not exclusively, but portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor allow “visa sponsorship” filters. Also, specialty sites like TechHire and HealthJobsUK often label sponsorship in listings. Use saved searches and alerts effectively.