Finding work through a UK sponsor – a guide for foreign nationals

If you’re a foreign national and you want to work in the UK, you’ll generally need to receive a job offer from a sponsoring employer. UK companies who want to employ non-UK workers must hold a sponsor licence granted by the British government.

However, your eligibility to work in the UK goes beyond simply landing a job.

Are you eligible to work in the UK?

his may vary depending on the type of job or industry you want to work in but eligibility to work in the UK as a foreign national will generally rely on the following factors:

• You will work for a UK employer who has a Home Office approved sponsor licence.
• You have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer and information about the job you’ve been offered.
• Your job is on a list of eligible occupations.
• You’ll be paid at least the minimum salary for that role in the UK.
• You can speak, read, write, and understand English to an acceptable level.

You might also find it helpful to read Rights to work in the UK.

Which visa should you apply for to work in the UK?

This will depend on the job and industry you want to work in, but the most commonly used work visa for foreign nationals wishing to get a job in the UK is the Skilled Worker visa. This visa will allow you to remain in the UK for up to five years. After that, you can apply for an extension and/or to settle permanently in the UK.

Other long term work visas include:

• Health and Care Worker visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Scale-up Worker visa
• Minister of Religion visa
• International Sportsperson visa

There are also short term work visas, such as Charity Worker visa, Creative Worker visa, and Seasonal Worker visa.

You can find out which type of visa you need on the gov.uk website.

What type of job could you apply for in the UK?

There is a wide variety of jobs and industries available to foreign workers in the UK. Here are just a few examples of the type of positions you could apply for:

• civil servant
• investment banker
• human resources manager
• researcher
• engineer
• IT professional
• doctor
• chemist
• nurse
• teacher
• social worker
• librarian
• journalist
• police officer
• graphic designer
• estate agent

How to find work in the UK as a foreigner

The process of finding work in the UK may seem overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down into actionable steps that you can get started on today.
 

 Find a sponsoring UK employer

There’s no sense in applying for a job with an employer which doesn’t have a sponsor licence, so the first step is to find out which companies are Home Office approved to employ foreign workers.

Your first stop should be the Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors. This is an exceptionally long list so it’s important that you know the type of job you are interested in applying for.

You could also use UK job boards like Joblookup to search for jobs that you’re interested in and then cross reference them with the above register of licensed sponsors.
 

 Once you receive a job offer

The employer must ensure you are eligible to work in the UK. Ideally, they will carry out this check before they offer you a job. Should you prove eligible, the employer will provide you with an electronic certificate of sponsorship as proof. You will need this for your visa application which must be submitted within three months.

To apply for a visa, you must provide:

• the reference number on your certificate of sponsorship
• proof that your English language skills are sufficient
• a valid passport or other document which provides proof of your identity and nationality
• your job title, annual salary, and job occupation code
• the name of the employer and their sponsor licence number

You may also be asked to provide:

• proof that you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself once you come to the UK
• proof of your relationship with your partner and children if they are part of your visa application
• tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country
• criminal record certificate
• valid ATAS certificate
• proof of your qualifications

If you make your visa application from outside the UK, you must use the online process for the relevant visa, for instance, to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. The process is different if you wish to extend or change your visa and you already reside in the UK.
 

 What next?

Once you’ve made your visa application, you will generally receive a decision within three to four weeks. If more information is needed, you will be contacted, and the application process may take longer.

To prove your identity, you may be asked to attend a Visa Application Centre, where your fingerprints and photo will be taken. Your application documents may also be examined. Alternatively, it may be possible to verify your identity through the UK Immigration ID Check app. When you make your application, you’ll be told which of these options apply to you.

Final Thoughts

The key to finding work in the UK as a foreign national is to have a clear plan:

• Know what type of job you are interested in.
• Identify relevant sponsored employers.
• Make sure you have all the documents to hand that you will need to apply for a visa.
• Know which work visa is the right one for you.
• Have a clear timetable of what you must do and when.

Moving to the UK to work is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one.