Top Companies Hiring Foreign Workers in the UK

If you dream of starting a career in the UK, you’re in the right place! Searching for a job as an overseas candidate can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to figure out which UK companies hiring foreigners are actually willing to sponsor a visa. It's like finding a needle in a haystack but we know exactly which haystacks to check.

The crucial thing to remember is that to get a visa (like the Skilled Worker Visa), you need a specific document called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which can only be issued by an employer holding a valid Sponsor Licence. As of early 2025, over 48,000 UK organizations hold this licence. However, instead of applying everywhere, your best bet is to target the largest, most active UK employers hiring internationally, who have proven systems and high demand for talent.

Why UK Companies Hire Foreign Workers

You might wonder why UK employers would bother with the cost and complexity of visa sponsorship when they could hire local staff. The simple truth is that the UK needs specialized talent to compete globally, and businesses recruit globally out of necessity, not charity.

UK firms rely on international recruitment to fill chronic labour shortages and secure competitive advantages. When companies recruit overseas, they are looking for specialized skills that are missing domestically, fuelling innovation and helping them maintain a competitive edge in an interconnected global economy.

The process of international recruitment has become more complex in 2025 due to tightening restrictions and increased compliance risks for employers. This has led to a filtering effect: companies are only willing to sponsor candidates who offer extremely high value or specialized skills that directly address strategic business needs. For instance, the UK government is actively supporting initiatives to attract top-tier researchers and specialists in fields like AI, even offering £25 million in funding for Turing AI Global Fellowships and covering full visa costs for researchers and their dependants. When an applicant’s skills align with these national strategic priorities, securing sponsorship becomes much more straightforward, as the employer sees the talent as a high-value solution worth the administrative effort.

Top Companies Hiring Foreign Workers (2025 Update)

These UK employers hiring internationally are known for being high-volume visa sponsors. Focusing your job search on these major names increases your probability of securing visa sponsorship jobs UK, as they often have dedicated immigration teams and continuous needs.

Healthcare and Public Services: The NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s single largest employer and consistently one of the most significant sources of visa-sponsored jobs. It is an A-rated sponsor and uses both the general Skilled Worker Visa and the Health and Care Worker Visa routes.

Roles available are incredibly diverse, covering everything from core clinical roles like Staff Nurse, Registered Nurse, and Healthcare Assistant to essential support roles like Transplant Administrator, Maintenance Assistant, and various administrative positions. The demand is constant and nationwide.

A critical note on care workers: While the NHS continues to rely on foreign workers, recent policy changes have imposed restrictions. Although roles like Senior Care Worker (6136) and Care Worker (6135) remain eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa, workers in these specific categories are now banned from bringing dependants, a policy implemented in 2024.

Technology, E-Commerce, and Logistics

The global tech giants operating in the UK are massive sponsors for highly skilled professionals.

• Amazon UK: Recognised as one of the top visa-sponsoring employers in 2025, Amazon actively hires international professionals for roles in software development, cloud computing, supply chain management, and operations. Roles frequently sponsored include Automation Engineer, Area Manager for Fulfilment Centres, and specialists in Data & AI technologies. Amazon is known for its streamlined sponsorship process and often provides comprehensive relocation assistance.
• Google UK: Google primarily sponsors highly specialized, technical roles in London and other major UK locations. Sponsorship typically applies to highly skilled positions like Software Engineering, Data Science, and Product Management, where specialized talent is essential.

Professional Services: The Big Four

The Big Four firms PwC UK, Deloitte UK, KPMG UK, and EY are critical sponsors across their Audit, Consulting, Tax, and Risk Management divisions.

• PwC UK: PwC actively sponsors professionals across its audit, assurance, tax advisory, and consulting practices. They particularly seek talent in tech-focused areas such as software engineering and cybersecurity.
• Deloitte UK: Deloitte confirms sponsorship availability, particularly for some Graduate Programmes if you meet the Skilled Worker (new entrant) criteria. Their hiring needs span across Assurance, Cyber, Engineering, AI & Data, Enterprise Technology & Performance, and Tax.
• KPMG UK: KPMG also offers structured training and development through its Apprenticeships and Graduate programmes nationwide, often considering applicants who require visa sponsorship for specific technical and audit roles.

Finance and Banking

Major banks are high-volume sponsors, especially in London and major hubs like Birmingham and Sheffield.

• HSBC: HSBC hires for roles across all its major business areas, including retail, private, commercial, and investment banking, and critical support functions like IT, Compliance, and Risk.
• Barclays: Barclays welcomes applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship for internship, graduate, and full-time analyst roles. They focus on securing talent for high-value corporate functions, financial technology, and risk management.

Engineering and Manufacturing

• Unilever: As a major Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, Unilever sponsors roles that support global operations, including Research & Development (R&D), Supply Chain, and Engineering (e.g., Reliability Engineer).
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR): JLR is heavily investing in its transition to an all-electric future. This drives high demand for specialized skills in R&D, software engineering, and advanced automotive technology. JLR is one of the UK’s largest investors in automotive research, development, and engineering, making it a prime target for engineering professionals.

Industries With the Most Foreign Worker Demand

While many industries hold sponsor licences, the following sectors consistently offer roles that meet the stringent 2025 visa requirements, particularly the high salary thresholds.

Technology, Data, and Computing

Demand for highly skilled technical professionals remains extremely high. Job roles such as Programmers, Software Development Professionals, and Cyber Security specialists frequently appear as high-demand areas. This sector is highly strategic for the UK government  and generally supports salaries well above the minimum required threshold, ensuring roles in this area are viable for the Skilled Worker Visa.

Healthcare and Medical Sector

The greatest volume of visa sponsorship jobs UK occurs here, facilitated by the specialized Health and Care Worker Visa. The demand covers clinical positions (Doctors, Nurses, Biochemists, Biomedical Scientists) and certain support roles like medical technicians and healthcare practice managers.

Engineering and Specialized Trades

The engineering sector consistently seeks specialized talent. Demand is strong for roles like Civil Engineers, specific roles in the nuclear industry, and high-integrity pipe welders. Even specialized skilled trades, such as Drainage Engineer, are being actively sponsored in 2025, demonstrating that technical expertise is valued across the spectrum of the industry.

Finance, Banking, and Professional Services

These high-value sectors rely on international talent for Audit, Consulting, Financial Technology (FinTech), and complex Regulatory and Compliance roles. Because these positions generally command high salaries, they typically satisfy the new minimum earnings requirements for visa sponsorship.

Logistics and Supply Chain

Driven by global e-commerce and manufacturing operations (like Amazon and Unilever), demand for skilled managers, data analysts, and specialized logistics professionals is strong. While entry-level warehouse jobs rarely qualify, supervisory and analytical roles are consistently sponsored.

Understanding the 2025 Salary Filter

It is essential to understand the major changes that occurred in 2025. The general minimum annual salary requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa rocketed to £41,700 (or the specific 'going rate' for the job, whichever is higher). This significant jump acts as a severe filter, automatically eliminating most entry-level roles, including many positions traditionally found in Hospitality and Retail.

For international job seekers, this means focusing your energy must shift entirely toward jobs that inherently pay well above this new threshold. If a job typically pays less than £41,700, it is highly unlikely to be eligible for visa sponsorship unless it falls under one of the specific exception routes, such as the Health and Care Worker Visa or a Graduate Trainee program.

Key UK Visa Salary Requirements (2025/2026 Financial Year)

Tips for Getting Hired as a Foreign Worker

Once you’ve identified UK employers hiring internationally, your application needs to be flawless and strategically tailored to the UK standard.

1. Perfect Your UK CV (Resume)

The format of your CV is crucial, as it sends a signal to UK employers about your professionalism and cultural awareness.

• Do not include personal identifiers. The golden rule in the UK is to avoid introducing bias. Do not include your photo, age, date of birth, marital status, or nationality on your CV unless explicitly requested.
• Keep it concise. A UK CV should be no more than one to two pages long, focusing only on the most relevant experience.
• Structure and Readability. Use professional fonts like Arial or Calibri, and organize your experience in reverse chronological order with clear headings and bullet points.

2. Master the ATS Filter

Large UK companies hiring foreigners, such as Amazon, Google, and the Big Four, rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan applications before they reach a human recruiter.

To pass this digital filter, you must customize your CV for every single role you apply for. Use the exact keywords, phrases, and terminology found in the job description throughout your professional summary and work experience sections.

3. Leverage International Experience as an Asset

Recruiters seeking global talent aren't looking for someone who has erased their past experience; they are looking for candidates who can bring a unique perspective.

• Highlight Global Perspective: Emphasize your cultural awareness and ability to thrive in diverse environments, framing your experience as a valuable asset in today’s multicultural business world.
• Clarify Terminology: When describing your international roles, use industry-standard terminology and avoid local acronyms, slang, or idioms that may not be universally understood in the UK.

By presenting a CV that adheres strictly to the UK standard, you demonstrate your professionalism and understanding of the local work environment, making you a more attractive and "safer" candidate for a company undertaking the responsibility of sponsorship.

Conclusion

Finding visa sponsorship jobs UK requires precision and focus. The key to success in 2025 lies in strategically targeting major UK companies hiring foreigners like the NHS, Amazon, Google, and the Big Four who have the capacity and chronic demand to justify sponsoring high-value roles. Understand the high salary thresholds, perfect your CV to UK standards, and frame your international background as the critical, specialized skill the UK market urgently needs. Your journey to working in the UK starts with a targeted, confident application.

Take the Next Step

Not sure which category applies to you? Our advisors can guide you through the Skilled Worker Visa process and help you find the right path.

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