Finding a sponsor for a UK visa is a critical step for skilled professionals aiming to work in the UK.
For skilled professionals seeking to work in the UK, securing a job that offers visa sponsorship is essential.
This means finding a company or organization that is licensed by the UK Home Office to sponsor non-UK residents under work visa categories such as the Skilled Worker Visa or the Health and Care Worker Visa.
Understanding how to verify if a company, including NHS Trusts, can sponsor you is crucial to navigating the UK job market.
In this blog post, I will guide you through the steps to determine if a company can sponsor your visa.
This includes checking NHS Trusts for visa sponsorship eligibility, understanding salary requirements for 2024, and what both employers and employees need to know.
1. Check the UK Government’s Register of Licensed Sponsors
The UK Government maintains an official list of employers that are licensed to sponsor foreign workers.
It is known as the Register of Licensed Sponsors.
This list is the most reliable source to confirm whether a company can sponsor your visa.
You can access the list online here.
How to Use the Register:
- Search by Company Name: If you are interested in a specific company, you can search for their name. If they appear on the list, they are licensed to sponsor foreign workers.
- Search by Sector: For those still exploring their options, you can search by industry sector, such as healthcare, IT, or engineering, to identify potential employers.
- Location-Based Search: The register allows you to filter by geographic location, making it easier to find sponsoring companies in specific regions of the UK.
If a company is not listed, they are not licensed to sponsor visas.
However, some organizations might apply for sponsorship licenses in the future, so it’s worth contacting them directly to ask.
2. Job Advertisements: Look for ‘Sponsorship Available’ Mentions
Many companies will specify whether they offer visa sponsorship in their job advertisements.
Reviewing job listings carefully can save you time and help you focus on opportunities that meet your visa needs.
What to Look for in Job Listings:
- Sponsorship Offered: Some job ads explicitly mention, “Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship available,” or similar language. If you see this, it’s a clear indication that the company is willing to sponsor your visa.
- Eligibility Criteria: Job adverts may also state whether the position qualifies for specific visas like the Health and Care Worker Visa or the Skilled Worker Visa.
- Salary Information: Check if the salary meets the minimum threshold for visa eligibility. This is crucial, as visa sponsorship is often contingent on salary.
If a job posting does not mention sponsorship but fits your skills, it’s worth inquiring during the interview process or contacting HR directly.
Check out Understanding Bands in the UK Healthcare Jobs.
3. How to Know if a Particular NHS Trust Can Sponsor You
The NHS is one of the UK’s largest employers and a major provider of visa sponsorships, particularly under the Health and Care Worker Visa.
NHS Trusts across the UK sponsor healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and allied health workers. Here’s how to check if a specific NHS Trust can sponsor your visa:
- NHS Jobs Website: Many NHS Trusts will advertise their job openings on the NHS Jobs Website and mention visa sponsorship details in the job listing. If sponsorship is available, it will often be stated directly.
- Check the Salary Offered: Look at the salary provided in the job listing. Ensure it meets the minimum threshold for either the Skilled Worker Visa (currently £38,700) or the Health and Care Worker Visa (typically starting at £23, 200). This can help you gauge whether sponsorship is likely for the role. If it fits the required salary threshold, you can initiate a conversation with your line manager or HR department about sponsorship.
- Focus on London and Neighboring Regions: If you’re pressed for time, prioritise NHS Trusts in London and surrounding areas, as these regions tend to offer higher salaries and are more likely to provide eligible roles for sponsorship.
- Contact the Trust’s HR Department: If you’re unsure, contact the HR department of the NHS Trust you’re applying to and ask about their visa sponsorship policies. NHS Trusts often sponsor international candidates for critical healthcare roles. See other Top NHS websites here.
By checking these factors, you can confidently determine whether a specific NHS Trust is likely to sponsor your visa.
4. Consider Shortage Occupation Roles
The UK government maintains a list of Shortage Occupation Roles.
This highlights jobs that are in high demand but face a shortage of skilled workers in the UK.
Employers hiring for these roles are more likely to sponsor visas, as the process is simplified and may have lower salary thresholds.
Why This Matters:
- Easier Sponsorship: If your role is on the Shortage Occupation List, NHS Trusts or companies can sponsor you more easily. These roles often have lower salary requirements and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
- In-Demand Professions: Common roles include healthcare professionals like nurses, doctors, and paramedics, as well as IT, engineering, and construction professionals.
You can view the Shortage Occupation List on the UK government website here.
5. Minimum Salary Requirements
As of 2024, updated salary thresholds, including New Entrant Salary Requirements in the UK, apply to most visa sponsorship applications.
The job you are applying for must meet these minimum salary levels for you to qualify for a visa.
Minimum Salary Requirements:
- For most Skilled Worker Visa applications, the minimum salary threshold is now £38,700 per year or the specific “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher.
- For jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, the salary threshold is lower, typically starting at £30,960 per year.
Ensure the job you are applying for meets these salary requirements, as failure to do so can result in visa rejection.
6. Contact the Company Directly
If you are unsure about a company’s sponsorship status, including NHS Trusts, it is a good idea to reach out to the company directly.
Many employers, particularly those in sectors facing talent shortages, may be willing to discuss sponsorship even if it’s not explicitly mentioned in job adverts.
What to Ask:
- Sponsorship Policies: Ask if the company is a registered sponsor and if they are willing to sponsor your visa.
- Visa-Related Costs: Some employers cover visa-related expenses, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge or visa application fees, so it’s worth inquiring about these as well.
- Eligibility for the Role: Confirm that the job meets the visa eligibility requirements in terms of skill level and salary.
7. Employer Size and Industry
Larger organisations and those in industries that rely on highly skilled workers, such as healthcare, technology, and engineering, are more likely to be licensed sponsors.
NHS Trusts, for instance, frequently sponsor visas for healthcare professionals, making them a prime example of large organisations with sponsorship capabilities.
Sectors More Likely to Offer Sponsorship:
- Healthcare: NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers, and care homes frequently sponsor foreign healthcare workers. If you are in the healthcare field, the Health and Care Worker Visa is a specific visa designed to make it easier for you to work in the UK.
- Technology: Tech companies often sponsor skilled workers for positions like software development, data analysis, and IT consultancy.
- Engineering and Construction: Large firms in these sectors are often willing to sponsor professionals with specific technical skills.
You may also be interested in understanding the Requirements: Health and Care Visa vs. Skilled Worker Visa in the UK.
Conclusion
Finding out if a company or NHS Trust can sponsor your UK visa is an essential step in your job search.
Start by checking the UK Government’s Register of Licensed Sponsors, and look for clues in job advertisements that mention visa sponsorship.
Consider focusing on jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, which are more likely to offer sponsorship and have lower salary thresholds.
For healthcare workers, NHS Trusts are a significant source of visa sponsorships, particularly under the Health and Care Worker Visa.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your potential employer is capable of sponsoring your visa and increasing your chances of securing a job in the UK.
