How to get a work visa in United Kingdom

To work in the UK you need a job with a Home Office licensed sponsor and a Skilled Worker visa. The salary threshold rose sharply in 2024 and again in July 2025, so check offers carefully.

See 1,231 sponsored jobs in United Kingdom Check if an employer sponsors

Visa routes

Skilled Worker visa

People with a job offer from a licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation

Salary: £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher (from July 2025); lower for new entrants
Processing: About 3 weeks from outside the UK
Permanent residence: Indefinite leave to remain after 5 years (proposals to extend this to 10)

Global Talent visa

Leaders or emerging leaders in tech, research, arts

Salary: No salary rule; needs an endorsement
Processing: Endorsement 3 to 8 weeks, then visa about 3 weeks
Permanent residence: Settlement after 3 to 5 years

Graduate visa

Graduates of UK universities

Salary: None
Processing: About 8 weeks
Permanent residence: Switch to Skilled Worker once hired

Figures as published in 2025. Thresholds change, usually every year: always confirm on the official sources below before you apply.

Step by step

1Check the employer is on the Register of Licensed Sponsors
2Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
3Apply online, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
4Prove English at B1 (B2 for new applications from 2026)
5Collect or activate your eVisa

Documents you usually need

Passport
Certificate of Sponsorship reference
English test or degree taught in English

Tips

HireGoat checks every UK employer against the Home Office register
The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 a year; some employers reimburse it, so ask

Latest sponsored jobs in United Kingdom

See all

Principal Researcher

DeliverooVerified sponsor🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10h ago

UK Skilled Worker

English-speaking

On-siteStaff

Questions

Can any UK employer sponsor me?

No. Only employers on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors can. Use HireGoat's sponsor check before you apply.

How to get a work visa in United Kingdom

Visa routes

Skilled Worker visa

Global Talent visa

Graduate visa

Step by step

Documents you usually need

Tips

Latest sponsored jobs in United Kingdom

Principal Researcher

Questions

Can any UK employer sponsor me?

Official sources

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