Here’s a quick, up-to-date primer on UK visa sponsorship (2025).

What “sponsorship” means

To work in the UK on most work routes you need a licensed employer to give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)—an electronic reference tied to an eligible job. You can only get a CoS from an employer with a valid sponsor licence. GOV.UK

Main sponsored work routes (fast overview)

• Skilled Worker – the core route. From 22 July 2025, new applicants generally must be in an occupation at RQF Level 6+ and meet higher salary rules (see below). GOV.UK
• Health & Care Worker (under Skilled Worker) – for qualifying NHS/health roles. Still follows Skilled Worker rules but uses NHS pay scales and is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). GOV.UK
• Global Business Mobility (GBM) – intra-company transfers and related routes; still sponsored by a UK entity. GOV.UK
• Scale-up Worker – you’re sponsored for the first 6 months by a fast-growing (“scale-up”) employer; after that, you can work without ongoing sponsorship. GOV.UK+1

Key 2025 rule changes that affect sponsorship

• Skill level: Skilled Worker raised back to RQF 6+ for new grants (with transitional protections for people already in the route). Many RQF 3–5 roles are no longer sponsorable unless listed on temporary/shortage provisions. Effective 22 July 2025. GOV.UK
• Salary: The general Skilled Worker threshold increased to £41,700 (you still must meet the higher of the threshold or the job’s “going rate”). Effective 22 July 2025. Clyde & Co.Davidson Morris

Typical costs (2025)

Employer costs

• Sponsor licence application: £574 (small/charity) or £1,579 (medium/large). GOV.UK
• Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £364 per year (small/charity) or £1,000 per year (medium/large), paid up-front for the visa length. GOV.UK
• Certificate of Sponsorship: £525 for Skilled Worker/GBM CoS. GOV.UK

Worker costs

• Visa fee (outside UK): Skilled Worker up to 3 years: £769; over 3 years: £1,519. Health & Care Worker is discounted (£304/£590). Scale-up £880. GOV.UK
• IHS: £1,035 per year (most routes), but Health & Care Worker and dependants are exempt. KPMGGOV.UK

How to find a sponsoring employer

1. Search the official Register of Licensed Sponsors to confirm an employer can sponsor. GOV.UK
2. Filter job boards for “visa sponsorship” + your role, then verify the employer against the register.
3. Check your role’s eligibility & going rate under Skilled Worker/Health & Care. GOV.UK

Step-by-step (candidate’s view)

1. Get an eligible job offer from a licensed sponsor.
2. Employer assigns your CoS through the Sponsor Management System. GOV.UK
3. You apply online, pay the visa fee (and IHS if applicable), prove English, and submit documents. GOV.UK

If you tell me your job title and years of experience, I’ll check today’s eligibility & salary for that occupation and point you to active sponsors hiring in that field.