If you need a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, the first question is always the same: which companies actually sponsor visas? The answer might surprise you — over 140,000 UK organisations hold active sponsor licences.
But not all sponsors are equal. Some issue thousands of Certificates of Sponsorship every year. Others hold a licence but rarely use it. This guide breaks down the top sponsors by industry so you know exactly where to focus your search.
💡 Quick fact
The UK Home Office publishes the full Register of Licensed Sponsors — a free, downloadable list of every employer licensed to sponsor work visas. You can search our sponsor directory to check any company instantly.
How many companies sponsor visas in the UK?
As of 2026, the Register of Licensed Sponsors lists over 140,000 organisations with active Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker licences. This number has grown significantly — it was around 80,000 in 2023.
The growth is driven by sectors facing chronic labour shortages: healthcare, technology, engineering, and education. The government has made it easier for employers to obtain sponsor licences, particularly in the NHS and social care sectors.
Top visa sponsors by industry
Below is a sector-by-sector breakdown of the most active visa sponsors in the UK. These are companies known to regularly issue Certificates of Sponsorship.
How to check if a specific company sponsors visas
There are two ways to verify whether a company is a licensed sponsor:
Use our Sponsor Directory
Search our sponsor directory — it contains the full GOV.UK register (140,000+ employers) with company name search and city filtering. Updated weekly.
Download the official GOV.UK CSV
Visit the GOV.UK Register of Licensed Sponsors page and download the Worker and Temporary Worker CSV file. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets and search for the company name.
⚠ Important
Being on the register means a company can sponsor — it does not mean they are currently hiring or willing to sponsor every role. Always check for active job listings before applying.
Which sectors sponsor the most visas?
Based on the volume of Certificates of Sponsorship issued, the top sectors for visa sponsorship in the UK are:
- 1Health and Social Care — by far the largest — NHS trusts, care homes, and private healthcare collectively issue more CoS than all other sectors combined
- 2Information Technology — software engineers, data scientists, and IT consultants make up the second largest group of sponsored workers
- 3Professional Services — the Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY), law firms, and management consultancies sponsor thousands annually
- 4Education — universities and research institutions are among the most consistent sponsors, especially for academic and research roles
- 5Engineering and Manufacturing — structural, civil, and mechanical engineering firms sponsor frequently due to persistent skills shortages
Tips for getting sponsored
Large organisations with established HR departments are far more likely to sponsor. They already have the processes in place and know how to handle visa applications.
Most UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems that automatically reject CVs with formatting issues. Get your ATS score checked before applying to any sponsored role.
Don't hide the fact that you need sponsorship. State it clearly in your cover letter so the employer knows from the start — this saves everyone's time.
Roles on the UK Shortage Occupation List have lower salary thresholds and employers find it easier to justify sponsorship for these roles.
Don't wait for one application to resolve before sending the next. The sponsorship process takes time, and casting a wider net increases your chances.
Find your sponsor match
Upload your CV to get matched with live jobs from licensed sponsors, plus your ATS score and UK CV format check.
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