If you want to work in another nation, you understand how difficult it can be to obtain a work visa. It feels like a large maze full of problems.
But do not panic; you are not alone. In this article, we’ll show you the best 12 UK companies that are willing to help you obtain a work visa in 2024.
We will not only list names; we will go into detail about each company and how to contact them.
Our goal is to provide you with the confidence and information you need to find work and obtain the necessary visas.
Continue reading to find out how we transform the hard job of obtaining a work visa into a thrilling expedition toward your dream career in the UK!
The Basics of UK Work Visa Sponsorship
The UK work visa sponsorship system is intended to ensure that only qualified, skilled individuals from outside the UK are granted the opportunity to work within its boundaries.
For employers in the United Kingdom, the system requires them to get a sponsorship license.
Once they have this license, they can issue certificates of sponsorship to migrant workers, who can then apply for a visa to work in the UK.
For employees, the most common immigration route to enter the UK to work is through the skilled worker visa, which was previously known as the tier 2 visa.
To apply for this route, the candidate must have an employment offer from a company with a sponsor license in the UK and achieve certain requirements, including a 70-point score in the UK immigration system.
How Can A UK Company Become A Sponsor?
Before sponsoring a skilled worker, a UK business must first become a licensed sponsor. This entails a thorough application process with the Home Office to ensure that the company is legally compliant, genuine, and capable of carrying out its sponsorship obligations.
There are two categories of sponsor licences: ‘Workers’ and ‘Temporary Workers’. Before submitting an application, a corporation must first identify which license is best suited to its needs.
The ‘Workers’ licence is used to hire foreign workers on the Skilled Worker visa, Global Business Mobility Senior or Specialist Worker visa (formerly known as the Intra-company Transfer visa), Minister of Religion, and International Sportsperson routes.
The more short-term ‘Temporary Worker’ permit is used to hire persons such as Scale-up Workers, Creative Workers, Charity Workers, Religious Workers, Government Trainees, and so on.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsorship
To receive a sponsorship license, UK businesses must meet the following criteria:
Genuine business requirements: The UK firm must demonstrate a real demand for the migrant worker and that the job offer matches the skill level of the visa route in question.
- No Adverse History: The company should not have a history of failing to comply with immigration regulations. They must not have had a license revoked within the last year.
- Adequate processes: The employer must have processes in place to track and manage its sponsored employees. This involves using the HR and sponsor management systems offered by the UK Visas and Immigration department.
- Proof of UK Operations: The company must be lawfully operating in the UK, which can be proven by having a UK branch or offices.
- Ability to Fulfill Sponsorship Duties: The employer must be able to complete their sponsorship responsibilities, which include ensuring that the migrant worker has the right to work in the UK and reporting any changes in the worker’s circumstances to the Home Office.
- Compliance with UK Work Regulations: The offered position must meet UK minimum pay and working time requirements. Noncompliance may result in the refusal of the worker’s visa application and the eventual termination of the sponsor’s license.
These are the fundamental eligibility requirements for UK visa sponsorship, but other restrictions may apply depending on the type of firm and other considerations.
Consider speaking with an immigration lawyer to better understand the criteria.
Top Companies in the UK That Sponsor UK Work Visas
Exploring a curated list of UK companies that sponsor visas can help you advance your career and make relocation more manageable. Discover a selection of significant employers who actively provide visa sponsorships for their employees:
1. Barclays
Barclays is a big British bank based in London. It has a vast network of divisions and offices throughout the country.
The bank provides financial products to both individual and commercial customers through retail and business banking services.
Visa sponsorship possibilities at Barclays include employment in software development, business analysis, wealth management, and card product management.
Because of the skills required, specialized positions are more likely to be approved for sponsorship. If you are looking for companies that offer visa sponsorship, you should consider Barclays.
2. Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance is a worldwide legal firm located in London with a diverse variety of skills. These include antitrust, intellectual property, banking, real estate, and tax laws.
The firm focuses on a variety of industries, including banking, private equity, energy, insurance, and infrastructure.
Clifford Chance is committed to hiring the best legal brains in the world and provides visa sponsorships to overseas candidates.
Joining their team gives you the ability to specialize in servicing clients in specific economic fields, allowing you to advance your legal career as a solicitor or barrister.
3. Ernst and Young (EY):
EY, a global professional services organization headquartered in London, provides a wide range of client services, including consulting, assurance, taxation, and transactions.
With a global reach, the business has offices in countries such as Belgium, Poland, Spain, and Germany.
Joining EY could lead to exciting work opportunities and the opportunity to relocate. If you’re considering a career at EY, you may explore topics such as technology, accounting, consulting, strategy creation, or business services.
4. GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline) is a British pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation. Its primary purpose is to bring together science, technology, and global expertise to foster innovation and improve the operation of the biopharma industry.
The company’s main areas of interest are vaccines, specialist pharmaceuticals, and general prescriptions prescribed by healthcare professionals.
GSK hires people with backgrounds in a variety of scientific domains, including microbiology, change management, medical sales, laboratory automation, and medical robots.
GSK also oversees the Future Leaders Graduate Program, which is open to overseas applicants seeking visa sponsorship.
5. HSBC
HSBC is a financial institution that offers a wide range of financial services, including current accounts, loans, home loans, and credit cards.
The company operates a huge number of branches around the country, as well as international operations in Poland and India.
If you want to work with HSBC, you can find opportunities in finance as well as other industries, including operations, customer service, and business development.
6. KPMG
KPMG is a global professional services network that is ranked as one of the world’s top accounting firms.
While its headquarters are in Amsterdam, the company has various subsidiaries throughout the region, including Birmingham, Gatwick, and Cardiff.
KPMG welcomes people from all over the world, regardless of experience level, and provides local apprenticeship possibilities as well.
KPMG provides a wide range of professional opportunities, including auditing, consulting, transaction advisory, taxation, technology and engineering, and business services.
7. McKinsey & Company
This is a worldwide management consulting firm based in New York City with a division in London. It works with businesses, governments, and social organizations to create long-term, inclusive growth.
The company offers a variety of mid- to senior-level positions that may lead to visa sponsorship eligibility.
Possible job titles include business analyst, engagement manager, digital technology consultant, and knowledge analyst.
8. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC):
PwC is a well-known British professional services firm that is among the world’s largest in its area. PwC offers complete audit, assurance, consultancy, and tax services to its clients.
The organization encourages a commitment to achieving business excellence, using technology, and maintaining consistency to ensure that its staff consistently deliver long-term results to clients.
If you want to work with PwC, you can apply for positions in business solutions, operations, risk management, audits, accounting, and financial consulting.
Furthermore, PwC provides a wide range of technologically focused professions, making it suitable for those with a background in computer science, software engineering, or a related subject. They are a great site to look for companies that offer visa sponsorship in the UK.
9. Rolls Royce:
Rolls-Royce is a well-known global industrial technology business. The organization’s essential values include trust, honesty, and safety, which you may expect to uphold if you join this company.
Rolls-Royce began as an automobile firm and now manufactures a wide range of products for civil aerospace, defense, power systems, and the electrical industry.
Individuals with backgrounds in service engineering, health physics, power electronic system engineering, or industrial quality management may be appropriate for this position.
Furthermore, this organization assesses candidates for administrative positions as well as tasks inside departments such as sales and marketing.
10. Unilever:
Unilever is a British company that manufactures and sells everyday products. They manufacture personal care items, healthy foods, home decor, and products that help you look and feel good.
Unilever respects the environment and works to make the world a better place. Working with Unilever may be a good fit for you if you have talents in food preparation, product safety, creation, data analysis, or commercial acumen.
Joining their team means becoming a part of a big community of over 120,000 people who all want to make a positive difference in the world.
UK Visa Sponsorship Process
For many international applicants, securing visa sponsorship is an essential component of the recruiting process before they can relocate and begin working for a UK firm.
To be eligible for visa sponsorship, you must have a work offer from a nationally recognized employer with a valid sponsorship license.
This approach applies not only to paid jobs, but also to voluntary activities such as charity work. Visa sponsorship falls into several categories, which include:
1. Economic sponsorships:
This form of sponsorship is ideal for those with in-demand skills, investors, and students. Economic visas have different requirements based on your qualifications and reasons for moving.
Economic sponsorships include options such as the new graduate pathway, which permits international students to extend their stay in the country after completing their studies.
2. Family sponsorships:
If you have a British citizen family member, such as a partner, you may be able to relocate and establish yourself in the United Kingdom.
If your child was born and is presently living in the country, you may be eligible for a family visa.
Furthermore, it is possible to change your visa status while in the country; for example, if you divorce and want to apply for an economic category visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa,.
FAQS
What is a UK work visa sponsorship?
UK work visa sponsorship is a process in which a UK company sponsors a foreign worker to work in the nation. The employer must have a valid sponsorship license granted by the UK government.
What is a certificate of sponsorship and how does it work?
A certificate of sponsorship is a virtual document that includes information on the job role and the person being sponsored. It is assigned to the sponsored individual by the employer and serves as a reference during the visa application process.
How long can I stay in the UK on a sponsorship visa?
The duration of your stay in the UK on a visa is determined by the type of visa you hold. In general, the sponsored individual can remain in the UK as long as their visa is valid and not revoked.
Can I work in the U.K. without a sponsor?
In most situations, you cannot work in the UK without sponsorship from a UK-based employer who possesses a valid sponsor license. However, there may be certain visa categories or schemes that allow people to work in the UK without sponsorship.
What are the various sponsorship management responsibilities involved in the sponsorship process?
The authorising officer, key contact, and level 1 user are examples of sponsorship management responsibilities. These jobs have varying responsibilities and permissions for overseeing the sponsorship license and visa application processes.
Conclusion
Beginning a journey toward an international career in the UK is a dream within grasp, owing to forward-thinking companies that provide visa sponsorship.
Understanding the visa sponsorship procedure and discovering the varied variety of firms willing to invest in your potential allows you to strategically plan your professional growth and connect your goals with organizations that share your ambitions.
Whether you’re a legal enthusiast, a finance expert, a technology guru, or a healthcare specialist, these firms are eager to support your journey and welcome you to their global teams.
Always remember that your desire to work in the UK is more than just a dream; it is a tangible reality ready to be realized through the doors opened by these visionary employers.
