UK Visa Sponsorship for your Skilled Worker visa

If you wish to work in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa, one thing is certain: you must have a UK employer willing to sponsor you.

Sponsorship means that a UK company provides you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This certificate confirms that you have a legitimate job offer in the UK and is essential for your Skilled Worker visa application. Each year, many UK employers sponsor overseas workers – but how do you identify the right employer? More importantly, how can you be confident that they are genuine?

This article guides you through everything you need to know about finding a legitimate sponsor and securing your Skilled Worker visa.

Visa sponsorship is a formal agreement in which a UK employer commits to hiring you and confirms that you meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa. As part of this process, the employer provides a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a crucial document that the UK government uses to verify your employment. Without a valid CoS, the Home Office cannot approve your Skilled Worker visa.

Not all UK employers are authorised to sponsor visas. Only those holding a valid sponsor licence, granted by the Home Office, are permitted to employ workers from overseas. The Home Office maintains a publicly accessible and regularly updated register of licensed sponsors. It is prudent to verify that your prospective employer appears on this list before making any visa application.

The government’s official list is called the Register of Licensed Sponsors.
It’s the best place to verify if an employer is authorised to sponsor you.
Check the list every time before accepting any job offer. It helps prevent scams and fake offers.

Some industries sponsor foreign workers more often. These sectors have skill shortages or high demand.

Here are the main ones:

The National Health Service (NHS) is one of the largest visa sponsors. They recruit doctors, nurses, therapists, and other medical staff globally.
Private healthcare firms also offer sponsorship for many roles.

Tech companies need developers, data analysts, cybersecurity experts, and engineers. Big names like Google and Amazon often sponsor dozens of workers annually.

Specialist engineers, project managers, and technicians are highly sought after. Firms in aerospace, automotive, and construction hire globally.

Banks, insurance companies, and consulting firms regularly sponsor accountants, auditors, and careful financial analysts.

Universities, research labs, and academic institutions sponsor professors, researchers, and lab workers.

Many aspirants ask which companies offer genuine sponsorship. Here are some examples (not exhaustive):

• NHS Trusts (across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
• Google UK (tech sector)
• Amazon UK (logistics and IT roles)
• Rolls Royce (aeronautical and engineering)
• PwC and Deloitte (finance and auditing)
• Universities such as University of Oxford and University College London

Checking the latest sponsor list confirms current sponsors.

It’s tempting to accept the first job offer. But beware of scams.
Always:

• Verify the employer is on the official sponsor register.
• Ensure your CoS details match your job offer letter exactly.
• Never pay money upfront for a job or CoS.
• Prefer recruitment agencies with good reviews.
• Seek guidance from immigration experts, such as The SmartMove2UK, to review your documents and advise you.
• Ensure that your salary meets the relevant salary threshold or the going rate for your role, as stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or in the Skilled Worker visa requirements, whichever is higher.

We do NOT issue or provide CoS.
Our role is to:

• Verify your CoS authenticity carefully.
• Guide you step-by-step for the UK visa application.
• Keep you updated with UK visa rules and changes.
• Help protect you against fake sponsorship scams.

Once you are sure your CoS is valid:

• Apply for your UK Skilled Worker visa online.
• Prepare all documents accurately.
• Pay visa fees and the Health Surcharge.
• Book biometrics appointments.
• Attend any interviews if required.
• Follow up on your visa application status.

We guide you through every step.

Read below what some of our clients from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru & surrounding zone have said about our UK Skilled Worker Visa application service.