If you're looking for a job in the UK from overseas, visa sponsorship is the key piece of the puzzle. Here's how it works.
What is visa sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship means an employer is licensed by the UK Home Office to hire workers from outside the UK (or the EEA, for most roles). Without a licensed sponsor, the employer legally cannot hire you — no matter how qualified you are.
The Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for professional roles in the UK. To get one, you need:
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor
- The role must meet the salary threshold (currently £26,200/year for most roles, or the going rate for the occupation if higher)
- The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (roughly A-level equivalent)
Your employer handles the certificate of sponsorship. You apply for the visa using that certificate.
How do I know if an employer can sponsor?
The UK Home Office publishes a register of licensed sponsors. Any employer on this list can legally sponsor you. Arivanto cross-references every job against this register automatically — so every role you see here is from a verified sponsor.
What about the Global Talent visa?
If you're a recognised leader or emerging talent in tech, science, the arts, or academia, the Global Talent visa may be a better fit. It doesn't require a job offer — you apply through an endorsing body like Tech Nation (for digital technology) or the Royal Society (for science).
What happens after I apply?
Once you have a job offer and your employer issues a certificate of sponsorship, you submit your visa application online. Processing times vary, but most straightforward Skilled Worker applications are decided within 3 weeks.
Tips for your job search
- Only apply to licensed sponsors. Wasting time on roles from employers who can't sponsor you is the biggest mistake international candidates make.
- Check the salary. Make sure the offered salary meets the visa threshold for the specific occupation code.
- Ask early. Some employers are willing to sponsor but haven't done it before. Ask about their sponsorship status in the first interview, not the last.
Arivanto handles the filtering for you — every role on our platform is from an employer that can and does sponsor UK visas.
Questions about visa sponsorship? Browse our jobs or read more on our blog.