Comprehensive Guide to Finding a Job in the UK with Sponsorship

By Sanwar Ali:

Looking for a job in the UK as a foreign individual comes with its unique challenges. The process can be daunting, especially as in most cases you need an UK employer with a sponsor licence that is willing to employ you and sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa. Nonetheless, with the right information, resources, and strategy, finding a job in the UK with sponsorship may be possible. This guide provides comprehensive insights into navigating the UK job market as a foreign individual, securing sponsorship, understanding the costs involved, and more.

1. Understanding the Basics

1.1 What is a Sponsor Licence?

A sponsor licence is granted by the UK Home Office to companies and organisations, authorising them to hire non-UK residents who need permission to work in the UK. These licences are valid for four years, after which they need to be renewed. The application cost is either £536 for a charity or a small entity, or £1,476 for large sponsors.

1.2 Understanding Visa Types

The Skilled Worker visa is the most common UK work visa. It requires you to score a total of 70 points, incorporating factors such as a genuine job offer from a licensed sponsor and an offer at a skill level of RFQ3 or above. The job must also meet the minimum salary requirement.

Other visa types include the Innovator Founder visa, the Global Talent visa, and UK Global Business Mobility visa categories like the UK Expansion Worker visa and the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

1.3 Understanding the Certificate of Sponsorship

A certificate of sponsorship (CoS) is issued by the sponsoring organisation, permitting the worker to apply for their Skilled Worker visa. The cost of issuing each CoS is £199.

2. Finding a Job with Sponsorship

2.1 Where to Look for Sponsorship Jobs

Various platforms provide listings of companies that offer sponsorship jobs. Some of these include UKHired, job search engines, and the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. May be worth doing an internet search in Google, Bing, ChatGPT, Bard, etc.

2.2 Identifying High-Demand Occupations

Certain industries in the UK have a higher demand for skilled foreign workers. These include professional services, investment banking, law, engineering, and financial services. The UK Shortage Occupation List provides a comprehensive list of roles with a high demand but a shortage of labour in the UK market.

2.3 Knowing Your Options

While the Skilled Worker visa category is popular since it leads to indefinite leave to remain, self-sponsorship through the Global Talent visa and Innovator Founder visa for business people could be worth considering. However, obtaining endorsement for these routes can be challenging.

3. Understanding the Application Process

3.1 Job Eligibility

Finding a sponsor is only part of the process. The job on offer must also meet the requirements of the visa route you are applying under. For example, if you are applying as a Skilled Worker, the role must require a skill level of RQ3 or above, pay at least the minimum salary, be listed on the eligible occupations list, and you need to meet certain English language requirements.

3.2 Applying for a Sponsorship Visa

To apply for a UK sponsorship visa, you need to meet the visa criteria and follow the correct application steps. You will also require a Certificate of Sponsorship with a unique reference number from your sponsor to make your visa application.

4. The Costs of Sponsorship

Sponsoring a foreign worker isn't cheap. Application fees and visa taxes typically run to thousands of pounds.

4.1 Immigration Skills Charge

Th Immigration Skills charge is essentially a tax levied on businesses for employing foreign workers, which applies in most cases. For a small or charitable sponsor, the Immigration Skills Charge is £364 for the first year and £182 for each additional six months. For a medium or large sponsor, the charge is £1,000 for the first year and £500 for each additional six months.

4.2 Visa Application Fee

The headline visa application fee varies based on the duration of the visa and whether the role is a non-shortage occupation or a shortage occupation. The exact fee can vary, for example, if the person is applying from inside the UK.

4.3 Immigration Health Surcharge

The Immigration Health Surcharge is like a tax on visas, on top of the application fee. It is £624 for each year of the visa. This is payable in advance for the duration of the visa.

5. Overcoming Challenges

5.1 Difficulty in Finding a Sponsor

Most employers are not interested in sponsoring someone due to the inconvenience and costs involved. It is essential to demonstrate your value and skills to potential employers to increase your chances of securing sponsorship.

5.2 Meeting the English Language Requirements

Many prospective immigrants have to meet the English language requirements. This requirement is met if you are a citizen of a majority English speaking country, hold a degree equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher taught in English, have passed a recognised English language test, or have previously met the English Language requirement during a grant of leave in the UK.  Please note that those with a degree taught in English may need to obtain an evaluation with Ecctis.

6. Resources to Help in Your Job Search

Several online resources can help you find a sponsorship job in the UK. We can't say how useful ukhired will be for your job search. May be an idea to use search engines and AI systems. Some of job sources include:

• Register of Licensed Sponsors
• UKHired

7. Case Study

The cost of sponsorship can differ based on the size of the sponsoring organisation and whether the sponsored individual has any accompanying family members. Please note that if the employer already has a sponsor licence then the sponsor licence fee will not need to be paid.  Here is a case study to illustrate the costs involved in sponsoring a single worker for five years:

• Sponsor licence: £536 or £1,476 for a larger company
• Certificate of sponsorship: £199
• Immigration Skills Charge: £1,820 or £5,000 for a larger company
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £3,120
• Application fee: £1,235

Total = £6,910 for a smaller company.

If the sponsored worker has a partner, the cost would increase by an extra £4,355, which includes the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

8. Additional Useful Information

Workpermit.com can help with Sponsor Licences. If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, Workpermit.com can help. For more information and advice please contact them on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com.

9. Conclusion

Finding a job in the UK with sponsorship is not an easy task, but with the right strategy and resources, it is achievable. Remember to consider all your options, understand the costs involved, and use the resources available to you to increase your chances of success.

10. About the Author

By Sanwar Ali. Sanwar is the founder of workpermit.com and is the editor for the site. He is an internet pioneer in the legal services industry.

How Workpermit.com Can Help with Sponsor Licences

If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, Workpermit.com can help.

For more information and advice, please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)