UK Companies That Sponsor Visas: Hiring Now (2026)
Over 90,000 UK organisations hold active sponsor licences, but holding a licence doesn't mean actively hiring. Many companies obtained a licence for a single employee years ago and have no current plans to sponsor additional workers. The real challenge isn't finding sponsors — it's finding sponsors who are actively recruiting right now and willing to sponsor your visa.
At Tarve, we track thousands of verified visa-sponsored roles from licensed UK employers. Every listing on our platform comes from a company with an active sponsor licence that is currently hiring. Instead of sifting through a government spreadsheet with 90,000 entries, you can search roles that are ready for sponsorship today.
How Many UK Companies Have a Sponsor Licence?
The Home Office publishes a register of every organisation that holds a sponsor licence. As of early 2026, the numbers break down as follows:
| Licence Type | Approximate Number of Holders | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | ~88,000 | Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General). Covers most professional and technical roles at RQF Level 3 and above. |
| Temporary Worker | ~6,000 | Temporary Worker visas including Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, Religious Worker, and Seasonal Worker routes. |
| Both (Skilled + Temporary) | ~4,500 | Organisations holding licences for both skilled and temporary worker routes. |
These figures fluctuate as new licences are granted and existing ones are revoked or expire. Having a licence on the register means the company can sponsor, not that it is sponsoring. Many organisations on the list have never issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or have not done so in years.
The distinction matters. A company with an active licence but no recent sponsorship activity may lack the internal processes, HR knowledge, or budget to sponsor efficiently. That is why platforms like Tarve focus on employers who are verified as currently hiring with sponsorship available.
How Do You Check If a Company Sponsors Visas?
The UK government provides a publicly accessible register that lists every organisation with an active sponsor licence. Here is how to use it:
Step 1: Visit the Register of Licensed Sponsors. Go to the gov.uk page for the Register of Licensed Sponsors. The Home Office publishes this as a downloadable spreadsheet (CSV format) that is updated regularly.
Step 2: Download the spreadsheet. The file contains columns for organisation name, city or town, county, licence type (Worker or Temporary Worker), and rating (A or B). There is no search function on the page itself — you must download the file and search locally.
Step 3: Search by company name. Open the file in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application. Use the search or filter function to look up the company name. If the company appears with an A-rating under the Worker category, it holds an active Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
Step 4: Verify the details. Check the licence type matches the visa route you need (Worker for Skilled Worker visa, Temporary Worker for temporary routes). Also confirm the rating is A — a B-rating means the company is under compliance review.
This process works, but it has significant limitations. The register tells you nothing about whether a company is currently hiring, which roles they sponsor, what salary they offer, or how experienced they are with the sponsorship process. It is a raw list with no context.
A better approach: Use Tarve to search for employers who are not only licensed but actively posting visa-sponsored roles. Every employer on our platform has been verified against the register and is currently recruiting with sponsorship confirmed.
Which Types of Employers Sponsor the Most Visas?
Visa sponsorship is concentrated in certain sectors. While any licensed employer can sponsor, the following industries account for the vast majority of Certificates of Sponsorship issued each year:
| Sector | Types of Employers | Typical Sponsored Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Global tech companies, SaaS firms, consultancies, fintech startups | Software engineers, data scientists, DevOps engineers, product managers, UX designers |
| Healthcare | NHS Trusts, private hospitals, care home groups, GP practices | Registered nurses, doctors, pharmacists, radiographers, care workers, physiotherapists |
| Finance | Investment banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, asset managers | Financial analysts, actuaries, risk managers, compliance officers, auditors |
| Engineering | Infrastructure firms, defence contractors, energy companies, manufacturers | Civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, project engineers |
| Education | Universities, multi-academy trusts, independent schools, research institutions | Lecturers, researchers, secondary teachers (STEM subjects), academic staff |
The NHS is by far the single largest sponsor in the UK, with individual NHS Trusts each holding their own licence. Technology firms — particularly those headquartered in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol — are among the most active private-sector sponsors. In finance, the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) and major banks collectively sponsor thousands of workers each year.
To find specific companies within these sectors that are hiring right now, visit Tarve and filter by industry. For a deeper breakdown of which industries are hiring the most sponsored workers, read our guide on industries hiring with visa sponsorship in 2026.
Do SMEs and Startups Sponsor Work Visas?
Yes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups can and do sponsor work visas. Any UK employer can apply for a sponsor licence regardless of size, provided they meet the Home Office requirements. However, the experience of being sponsored by a large employer versus an SME can differ significantly.
| Factor | Large Employer (250+ staff) | SME or Startup (under 250 staff) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence cost | £1,476 | £536 |
| Immigration Skills Charge | £1,000/year | £364/year |
| Dedicated HR/immigration team | Usually yes | Often no — handled by founders or general HR |
| Experience with sponsorship | Typically extensive | May be first-time sponsors |
| Processing speed | Established internal processes | Can be slower due to learning curve |
| Willingness to sponsor | Usually policy-driven | Often case-by-case decisions |
| Compliance resources | Dedicated compliance officers | Limited — higher risk of compliance issues |
Many startups, particularly in the technology sector, actively sponsor because they struggle to find the specialist talent they need from the domestic labour market alone. The reduced fees for small sponsors (£536 for the licence, £364 per year for the Immigration Skills Charge) make it financially accessible. However, some SMEs are reluctant to sponsor because they perceive the process as complex and bureaucratic.
If you are considering a role with a smaller employer, verify that they have a current A-rated licence and ask about their experience with the sponsorship process. Companies that have successfully sponsored before are far more likely to handle your application smoothly. For more detail on the costs employers face, see our guide on UK visa sponsorship costs in 2026.
What Is the Register of Licensed Sponsors?
The Register of Licensed Sponsors is a public document maintained by the Home Office. It lists every UK organisation that currently holds a licence to sponsor migrant workers. The register is updated regularly — typically several times per month — as new licences are granted, revoked, or downgraded.
Each entry on the register includes the organisation name, location, licence type (Worker, Temporary Worker, or both), and a compliance rating:
| Rating | Meaning | Implication for Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| A-rated | The organisation is fully compliant with its sponsor duties. The Home Office is satisfied it can meet its obligations. | Safe to apply. The employer has met all compliance requirements and can issue Certificates of Sponsorship. |
| B-rated | The organisation has been found to have breached its sponsor duties. It is on an action plan to return to compliance. | Proceed with caution. The employer can still sponsor, but a B-rating indicates compliance issues. Their licence could be revoked if they fail to improve. |
Most employers on the register hold an A-rating. A B-rating does not automatically mean you should avoid the company, but it is a warning sign. B-rated sponsors are under increased scrutiny, and if their licence is revoked while your visa application is pending, your application fails. If their licence is revoked after your visa is granted, you would have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK.
The register does not show how many workers an employer has sponsored, when they last issued a CoS, or what roles they typically sponsor. For that level of detail, you need a platform like Tarve that tracks live job postings from registered sponsors.
How Do You Find Companies Actively Hiring with Visa Sponsorship?
Having a list of 90,000 licence holders is only useful if you can narrow it down to employers who are hiring for roles you qualify for, in locations you want to work, at salaries that meet the visa sponsorship salary threshold. Here is a practical five-step strategy:
- Start with the Register of Licensed Sponsors. Download the register and filter by location, licence type, and rating. This gives you a long list of potential employers in your target area.
- Cross-reference with job boards. Search for the company names on major UK job boards. Look specifically for postings that mention "visa sponsorship available" or "sponsor licence holder." Be aware that many companies do not mention sponsorship in their listings, even when they do sponsor.
- Check company careers pages directly. Visit the websites of companies on your filtered list. Some employers have dedicated international recruitment pages or mention sponsorship in their benefits section.
- Use LinkedIn strategically. Search for employees at target companies who are on Skilled Worker visas. This tells you the company has recent sponsorship experience. Reach out to them for insight on the process.
- Use a verified sponsorship platform. Rather than doing all of the above manually, use Tarve to search verified visa-sponsored roles. Every listing has been confirmed against the register and is actively accepting applications with sponsorship.
The manual approach (steps 1-4) can work but is extremely time-consuming. The register alone does not tell you who is hiring. Job boards do not reliably flag sponsorship availability. Direct outreach is hit-or-miss. Tarve combines all of these data points into a single searchable platform, saving you weeks of research.
What Should You Look For in a Visa-Sponsoring Employer?
Not all sponsors are created equal. When evaluating a potential employer for visa sponsorship, consider the following criteria:
A-rated licence. Always verify the employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence. A B-rating means the company is under compliance review and there is a risk the licence could be revoked, which would directly impact your visa status.
Track record of sponsorship. Employers who have sponsored multiple workers in the past are far more likely to have smooth, efficient internal processes. First-time sponsors may face delays or make errors in the CoS assignment process, which can slow your application.
Compliance and HR infrastructure. Sponsors have legal obligations to the Home Office, including reporting changes to your employment, keeping records, and cooperating with compliance visits. Companies with dedicated HR teams or immigration advisors are better equipped to meet these duties.
Salary meets the threshold. Confirm that the offered salary meets both the general threshold (currently £41,700) and the going rate for your SOC code, whichever is higher. Some employers offer salaries just below the threshold and expect candidates to negotiate — be prepared for this. For full details on current requirements, read our guide on salary thresholds for 2026.
Willingness to cover costs. Some employers cover part or all of the visa application costs, including the Immigration Skills Charge and the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is not legally required, but it is increasingly common among competitive employers, particularly in technology and finance.
Clear timeline. Ask the employer about their expected timeline for issuing the CoS and supporting your visa application. For a breakdown of typical processing times, see our guide on how long UK visa sponsorship takes.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes When Searching for Visa Sponsors?
Searching for visa-sponsoring employers is a skill in itself. Avoid these five common mistakes that waste time and lead to dead ends:
1. Assuming every company on the register is hiring. The register lists licence holders, not active recruiters. Many organisations obtained their licence for a single employee and have not sponsored anyone since. Do not send speculative applications to every company on the list — focus on those with live vacancies.
2. Only applying to companies that explicitly mention sponsorship. Many UK employers sponsor visas but do not mention it in job adverts. This is especially common among SMEs and companies that assess sponsorship on a case-by-case basis. If a company holds a licence and has a role that matches your skills, it is worth applying and raising sponsorship during the process.
3. Ignoring the salary threshold. Applying for roles with salaries below the sponsorship threshold is a waste of time. Even if the employer is willing to sponsor, the Home Office will reject the application if the salary does not meet requirements. Always check the current thresholds before applying.
4. Not checking the employer's licence rating. An employer with a B-rated licence is under compliance review. While they can still sponsor, there is a real risk the licence could be revoked. Always verify the rating on the official register before investing time in an application.
5. Relying on outdated information. The register is updated frequently. Companies gain and lose licences regularly. An employer that was on the register six months ago may have had their licence revoked. Always verify against the most current version of the register, or use a platform like Tarve that checks this automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Any UK Company Sponsor a Work Visa?
No. Only companies that hold a valid sponsor licence granted by the Home Office can sponsor work visas. To obtain a licence, an employer must apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), pay the licence fee (£536 for small sponsors, £1,476 for medium or large sponsors), and demonstrate that they have appropriate HR systems and processes to meet their sponsorship duties. Not all applications are approved — the Home Office can refuse or revoke licences if an employer fails to meet compliance requirements.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Sponsor Licence?
The Home Office aims to process sponsor licence applications within eight weeks of receiving all required documentation. However, processing times can vary. Priority processing is not available for licence applications. Some applications take longer if the Home Office requests additional information or conducts a pre-licence compliance visit. For employers already holding a licence, assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a worker is a separate process that can take days to weeks depending on internal HR timelines. For a full timeline breakdown, see our guide on how long UK visa sponsorship takes.
Can a Company Lose Its Sponsor Licence?
Yes. The Home Office can downgrade a licence from A to B, suspend it, or revoke it entirely. Common reasons include failing to report changes in a sponsored worker's circumstances, not keeping proper records, employing workers in roles or at salaries different from those stated on the CoS, or failing a compliance visit. If a licence is revoked, all existing sponsored workers are affected — they typically have 60 days to find a new sponsor or make alternative visa arrangements.
Do Recruitment Agencies Sponsor Visas?
Some recruitment agencies hold sponsor licences and can sponsor workers they place with client companies. However, this is relatively uncommon and adds complexity. If the agency is your sponsor but you work at a client site, your visa conditions are tied to the agency, not the end client. If your contract with the agency ends, so does your sponsorship. It is generally preferable to be sponsored directly by the employer where you will work. Always clarify who would be your sponsor — the agency or the end client — before proceeding.
Can You Ask an Employer to Sponsor You?
Yes, and many candidates do so successfully. If an employer does not currently hold a sponsor licence but wants to hire you, they can apply for one. The process takes approximately eight weeks and costs between £536 and £1,476 depending on the size of the organisation. Some employers are willing to do this for exceptional candidates, particularly in sectors with skill shortages. When raising the topic, be prepared to explain the process clearly, outline the costs involved (see our cost breakdown for 2026), and demonstrate why you are worth the investment. Timing matters — raise sponsorship after you have demonstrated your value in the interview process, not in your initial application.
Search Verified Visa-Sponsoring Employers
The Register of Licensed Sponsors is a useful starting point, but it is just a list. It does not tell you who is hiring, what roles are available, what salaries are on offer, or whether the employer has recent sponsorship experience. Manually cross-referencing 90,000 entries with job boards, company websites, and LinkedIn profiles takes weeks — and the information is outdated the moment you finish.
Tarve solves this problem. We continuously verify employers against the official register, track live job postings with confirmed visa sponsorship, and present everything in a single searchable platform. Every role listed meets the salary threshold, every employer holds an active A-rated licence, and every listing is current.
Search visa-sponsored jobs on Tarve — verified employers, real roles, ready for your application.
Continue your research with our other guides:
Mahadheer Muhammed
The Tarve team helps international professionals navigate the UK visa sponsorship process. Built by people who've been through it.