Section A: Is there a List of UK Visa Sponsorship Companies?
The UK’s immigration system restricts which employers can lawfully hire non-UK nationals under sponsored work routes. Only organisations that hold a valid sponsor licence, issued by the Home Office, can issue the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) required for workers to apply for a Worker or Temporary Worker visa, and only employers that meet strict immigration compliance standards are granted the licence by the Home Office to sponsor workers.
The names of these authorised organisations are published on the official Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers), a public database that is updated regularly to reflect newly approved licences, suspensions and revocations.
1. Purpose and Legal Basis
The purpose of the Register is to control and monitor who can participate in visa sponsorship. It is grounded in the official ‘Workers and Temporary Workers: Guidance for Sponsors’, which outlines binding obligations for licence holders. The register is a transparency tool for the public and a compliance mechanism for the Home Office. Inclusion confirms that the organisation holds a current sponsor licence and has met the initial application criteria set out in immigration law.
2. Sponsor Licence Requirements
To be added to the register, an employer must submit a detailed application to the Home Office, with evidence as prescribed under Appendix A, of a genuine trading presence in the UK, business need for overseas recruitment and robust HR systems to monitor and report on sponsored workers. The Home Office may carry out verification checks, including site visits, before deciding on the application. Approval results in the organisation being added to the register with details of its licence type and sponsor rating.
3. Sponsor Ratings
Each licence holder is assigned a rating. An A-rating confirms that the employer meets all compliance obligations and can assign new CoS to eligible candidates. A B-rating means the employer has fallen short of compliance standards and is working under a Home Office action plan. While still licensed, a B-rated sponsor’s ability to assign CoS is restricted until it regains an A-rating. The rating is a clear indicator of both compliance performance and sponsorship capacity.
| Rating | Can assign new CoS | Existing sponsored workers | Typical Home Office status | Practical implication for applicants | Practical implication for employers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-rating | Yes, for eligible roles that meet route rules. | Can extend and vary roles within the rules. | Meets compliance standards. | Offer is viable if the job meets skill and salary thresholds. | Proceed with hiring. Keep records and reporting tight to retain A-rating. |
| B-rating | No, until the A-rating is restored. Limited in-country extensions may be possible for workers you already sponsor on the same route, subject to route rules. | Employment usually continues. Extensions or variations can be possible within the same route. | Under an action plan and enhanced monitoring. | New offers are usually not workable. Consider alternative sponsors or timelines. | Pause external recruitment that needs sponsorship. Implement the action plan and regain A-rating. |
| Suspended | No. | Current workers normally keep permission, but applications and decisions may be put on hold. | Licence under investigation. Entry is usually removed from the public register during suspension. | Applications stall. High risk of delay or refusal if revocation follows. | Immediate hiring freeze for sponsored roles. Respond to UKVI, fix issues, and manage worker communications. |
| Revoked | No. | Permission is normally curtailed, often to 60 days or to visa expiry if sooner. | Licence ended and removed from the register. | Find a new sponsor or alternative route quickly, or prepare to leave the UK. | All sponsorship stops. Workforce impact planning and legal advice required before any re-application window. |
4. Frequency of Updates
The register is updated regularly, even multiple times per week, to reflect live changes, including adding new licence holders, removing organisations with revoked licences and amendments following licence downgrades or reinstatements. Because these changes happen quickly, relying on outdated or third-party lists is risky. The live GOV.UK register is the only reliable and legally authoritative source.
5. Active Sponsorship vs Licence Holding
Not every organisation on the register is actively recruiting for roles that qualify for visa sponsorship. Some employers keep a licence for potential future needs, while others sponsor only in specific roles or departments. For candidates, checking both the employer’s current licence status and the eligibility of the job under the Skilled Worker or other relevant visa route is essential before applying.
DavidsonMorris Insight
The Register of Licensed Sponsors is a valuable resource for overseas job seekers looking for visa sponsorship in the UK, but there are key considerations. Workers, for example, should ensure they are using the most up to date version to avoid mistakes when relying on the data.
For sponsors, the list acts as a public record of their compliance status, which can be reputationally damaging if the organisation’s licence is downgraded by the Home Office.
Section B: How to Access the Official List
The UK Register of Licensed Sponsors is freely available on the GOV.UK website. It is published as a downloadable file and can also be searched online. Because the list is maintained by the Home Office, it is the only definitive source for confirming whether an organisation is licensed to sponsor workers. Knowing how to access and interpret the register is essential for anyone relying on it for recruitment or job applications.
1. Finding the Register on GOV.UK
The register is hosted on the official government domain, GOV.UK. A search for “Register of Licensed Sponsors workers” in the GOV.UK search bar will take you to the dedicated page. From there, you can download the most recent version as a CSV file or view it in a web-friendly format. The page also shows the date of the latest update, which should always be checked before relying on the information.
2. Downloading and Using the CSV File
The CSV version of the register contains all current sponsor licence holders along with key details such as the organisation’s name, town or city, sponsor rating, and the visa routes for which they are licensed. CSV files can be opened in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice Calc. This allows you to filter, sort and search the data, making it easier to identify sponsors in a specific sector, region or rating category.
3. Searching for an Employer
To check whether a specific company can sponsor visas, search for its name exactly as it appears in official records. Be aware that some organisations may be listed under a trading name, group name or legal entity name that differs from the brand name familiar to the public. Using partial matches or keywords can help if the exact name is unknown, but confirmation should be based on an exact match in the register.
4. Data Fields
Each entry in the register includes information that has legal and practical importance. The organisation name confirms the licensed entity. The location helps distinguish between similarly named companies. The sponsor rating shows whether the organisation is in full compliance (A-rating) or under an action plan (B-rating). The visa route(s) column specifies the types of visas they are authorised to sponsor, for example Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, or Minister of Religion.
| Field name | What it tells you | How to use it in practice | Common pitfalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisation name | The licensed legal entity that holds the sponsor licence. | Match the name on the offer letter or Companies House before assuming sponsorship is possible. | Confusing brand or trading names with the legal entity. Picking the wrong company where names are similar. |
| Town/City | The location recorded for the licensed entity. | Use to distinguish between similarly named organisations and to sanity-check group entities. | Assuming the job is in that town. Large employers may sponsor nationwide. |
| County | The county for the licensed entity’s entry. | Combine with Town/City to confirm you have the correct entity in multi-site groups. | Treating county as a hiring boundary when roles may be based elsewhere or remote. |
| Sponsor rating (A or B) | The Home Office compliance grade for the sponsor. | Proceed with new CoS only where the sponsor is A-rated. Query any B-rating before progressing. | Assuming a B-rated sponsor can issue new CoS. Ratings can change, so recheck before offers. |
| Licence category | Whether the sponsor holds a Worker, Temporary Worker, or both categories. | Confirm the category aligns with the visa family required for the role. | Believing a Temporary Worker licence permits Skilled Worker sponsorship. |
| Visa route(s) licensed | The specific routes the sponsor can use, for example Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Creative Worker. | Check the role fits one of the listed routes and meets route rules, including SOC code and salary. | Missing that sponsors may appear in multiple rows for different routes. Assuming all roles are eligible. |
| Update date (shown on GOV.UK page) | When the register was last refreshed by the Home Office. | Verify the date, then download a fresh CSV before recruitment decisions or applications. | Using a saved copy that is out of date. Acting on stale entries after suspensions or downgrades. |
5. Checking the Update Date
The GOV.UK register page clearly shows the date it was last updated. This date is crucial, as relying on older copies risks basing decisions on outdated licence information. Jobseekers and recruiters should download a fresh copy each time they search for a sponsor, rather than saving and reusing an old version.
DavidsonMorris Insight
A key factor that makes the Register of Licensed Sponsors useful is that it is actively maintained, and is sometimes updated multiple times a week, as required to reflect updates in an organisations’ sponsorship status. While list accuracy is a clear benefit, this does present version control risk for users, who will need to ensure they are relying on the most up to date version. The official list of companies that can sponsor UK visas is accessible as a download on the official gov.uk website.
Section C: How to Verify an Employer’s Sponsorship Status
Being listed on the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors confirms that an organisation holds a sponsor licence, but it does not automatically mean the employer is actively recruiting or that all roles they advertise are eligible for sponsorship. Verification requires more than a quick search of the register. Both jobseekers and employers must understand how to check licence status accurately and interpret what it means for the role in question.
1. Confirming the Organisation’s Presence on the Register
The first step is to locate the organisation’s exact name in the live GOV.UK register. The spelling must match exactly, as the register is case-sensitive and records the legal entity name rather than a trading name in many cases. If the company operates under multiple names or as part of a group, you may need to search using different variations to confirm its presence.
2. Checking the Sponsor Rating
The sponsor rating is a key indicator of an employer’s compliance standing. An A-rating confirms full compliance and the ability to assign Certificates of Sponsorship to new recruits. A B-rating signals that the employer is working under a Home Office action plan and cannot issue new CoS until compliance is restored. While B-rated sponsors can continue to employ existing sponsored workers, the restriction on new CoS assignments can make a role ineligible for sponsorship in practice.
3. Identifying the Approved Visa Routes
The register specifies which visa categories an employer is licensed to sponsor. For example, an employer may be licensed only for the Skilled Worker route and not for Temporary Worker routes such as Creative Worker or Charity Worker. If the job does not fit the approved category, sponsorship will not be possible even if the organisation appears on the register.
4. Verifying Active Recruitment
An organisation can hold a sponsor licence without currently offering sponsored roles. Some maintain a licence for strategic workforce planning or to support internal transfers, rather than open recruitment. The safest approach is to contact the employer directly or check its careers page for confirmation that the specific role is open to visa sponsorship.
5. Cross-Checking with Other Home Office Notices
Occasionally, the Home Office may announce public sanctions against a sponsor, such as suspension or revocation of its licence. These changes can appear on GOV.UK before they are reflected in the register update. For time-sensitive recruitment, it is worth reviewing related Home Office pages or press notices to confirm there are no enforcement actions affecting the sponsor’s status.
DavidsonMorris Insight
The list includes specific data about each sponsor’s licence rating. This is because licence ratings matter, and being on the list does not in itself mean the organisation is currently allowed to sponsor new workers. Their licence rating usually has to be an A rating to allow them to recruit sponsored workers. B rated licence holders may not be allowed to assign new CoS, which makes any new job offers to overseas candidates redundant. This would need to be investigated further to establish the specific circumstances relating to a specific sponsor, for example, if a worker has been offered a job from a sponsor with a B rated licence.
Section D: Types of Companies That Sponsor Visas in the UK
The UK Register of Licensed Sponsors contains thousands of organisations across a wide range of industries. While the full list is only available via the official GOV.UK register, certain sectors consistently feature high numbers of active sponsors due to sustained demand for skilled workers. Examples can help illustrate the breadth of the register, but they must always be verified against the live list before relying on them for job applications or recruitment planning.
1. Healthcare and Social Care
The health and social care sector represents one of the largest groups of licensed sponsors. NHS Trusts, private hospitals and care home providers regularly sponsor overseas professionals in roles such as nurses, but can no longer support entry clearance applications for workers in care worker or senior care worker roles, following a change in the rules in July 2025.
Well-known licence holders in this category include many NHS Trusts across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, alongside large independent providers. The sector’s demand is driven by persistent staffing shortages, with specific provisions offering more relaxed criteria for eligible healthcare roles compared with other occupations and sectors.
2. Professional and Financial Services
Large accountancy firms, management consultancies and financial institutions often sponsor Skilled Worker visas for specialist roles. Most larger accountancy firms are licensed sponsors, while banks such as Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered also appear on the register. These employers typically sponsor experienced hires, graduates on structured programmes, and specialists in compliance, risk, audit and technology.
3. Technology and Engineering
Global technology companies and advanced engineering firms frequently appear as licensed sponsors. Examples include Microsoft, Google, IBM and Amazon, as well as aerospace and manufacturing companies such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems. Roles in this category often require highly specialised skills in software engineering, data science, AI development, or advanced manufacturing processes.
4. Education
Universities, independent schools and colleges sponsor teaching staff, researchers and certain administrative roles. Most UK universities hold sponsor licences, enabling them to recruit lecturers, research fellows and specialist teaching staff from overseas. Independent schools may sponsor teachers in shortage subjects such as mathematics, physics and computer science.
5. Hospitality and Other Sectors
While less dominant than healthcare or technology, the hospitality sector contains a number of licensed sponsors, particularly in large hotel groups and high-end restaurant businesses. Other industries represented on the register include creative industries, charities, and niche manufacturing. However, sponsorship in these sectors can be more role-specific and often depends on skill level and salary thresholds being met.
DavidsonMorris Insight
Employers from all areas of the economy apply for sponsor licences to recruit from overseas, but shifts in policy can see some sectors become more active in sponsorship terms. The health and care sector, for example, is being impacted by the removal of care worker roles in July 2025 from the list of eligible jobs for new visa sponsorship. Employers and workers therefore have to stay informed of rule changes impacting current and future sponsorship opportunities.
Section E: Common Issues and Misunderstandings
Although the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors is straightforward to access, both jobseekers and employers often make avoidable errors when relying on it. Misinterpreting the register can result in wasted applications, missed recruitment opportunities, or even non-compliance with immigration rules. Understanding these common issues helps ensure that the list is used accurately and effectively.
| Misstep | Consequence | How to fix | Risk if ignored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using an outdated copy of the register | Offers made to sponsors who have been downgraded, suspended or removed | Download a fresh CSV and check the update date before each search | Visa refusals, wasted fees, delayed hiring |
| Searching for a brand name instead of the legal entity | Wrong company selected or no match found | Cross-check the employer’s legal name and group structure | Incorrect CoS details and application failure |
| Ignoring the sponsor rating | B-rated sponsors cannot normally assign new CoS | Confirm rating is A before progressing any offer | Offers collapse and recruitment timelines slip |
| Assuming a Temporary Worker licence permits Skilled Worker sponsorship | Role cannot be sponsored on the intended route | Check licence category and specific routes listed | Refusals and compliance issues if a CoS is issued in error |
| Treating presence on the register as proof of active recruitment | Applications sent for roles the sponsor is not hiring for | Verify on the employer’s careers page and request confirmation of sponsorship availability | Wasted time and missed opportunities elsewhere |
| Not checking role eligibility against the rules | Job fails skill or salary thresholds | Confirm SOC code and salary meet route requirements | CoS or visa refused |
| Missing that sponsors can appear multiple times | Wrong route assumed for the same organisation | Filter by organisation, then review every route entry for that entity | Mismatched route and preventable refusals |
| Failing to recheck status before issuing a CoS | CoS created after a downgrade or suspension | Re-verify the entry on the day you draft or assign the CoS | Unlawful sponsorship and enforcement risk |
| Not keeping an internal version log | Decisions cannot be traced back to the file used | Record date checked, file name and purpose for each download | Audit gaps and avoidable disputes |
| Confusing care-sector policy changes with licence status | Applications made on routes that have closed or changed | Confirm current eligibility rules and any transitional provisions | Refusals and project delays |
1. Assuming All Roles are Eligible for Sponsorship
One of the most frequent misunderstandings is believing that every job offered by a licensed sponsor is automatically eligible for visa sponsorship. In reality, sponsorship is restricted to specific roles that meet the skill level and minimum salary thresholds under the relevant visa route. A company may be licensed for Skilled Worker visas but may only sponsor certain positions that are included on the list of eligible occupations under Appendix Skilled Occupations.
2. Relying on Outdated or Third-Party Lists
Some candidates rely on old copies of the register or unofficial online lists, which can be inaccurate or incomplete. Because the Home Office updates the register frequently, a sponsor’s licence status can change at short notice. Using anything other than the live GOV.UK version risks relying on outdated information, which can lead to unsuccessful applications or recruitment delays.
3. Overlooking Sponsor Ratings
The sponsor rating is not just an administrative detail. A B-rated sponsor is restricted in assigning new Certificates of Sponsorship and is effectively unable to bring in new overseas hires until it regains an A-rating. Candidates who fail to check this may waste time applying for roles that cannot currently be sponsored.
4. Confusing Licence Types
The register distinguishes between Worker and Temporary Worker licence categories. An employer licensed only under Temporary Worker routes, such as Creative Worker or Seasonal Worker, cannot sponsor Skilled Worker visas. Misunderstanding the scope of a licence can lead to incorrect assumptions about eligibility.
5. Not Confirming Active Recruitment
An employer may hold a sponsor licence for strategic reasons but not be actively recruiting internationally. In some cases, a licence is used only for internal transfers or specific short-term projects. Candidates should always confirm with the employer that the advertised role is open to visa sponsorship before investing time in the application process.
DavidsonMorris Insight
The information on the list of companies that can sponsor a visa in the UK has to be interpreted correctly, or it can result in misunderstandings, and wasted time, effort and investment. Sponsors can only employ certain types of worker covered by their licence type, while B-rated licence holders are generally not allowed to assign new CoS to new workers, until they are reinstated to an A rating.
Section F: Conclusion
The UK Register of Licensed Sponsors is the only authoritative source for confirming whether an organisation can lawfully sponsor non-UK nationals for specific work visas. It is a compliance tool for the Home Office and a vital reference point for both jobseekers and employers. While it is straightforward to access, accurate use of the register requires more than simply locating an employer’s name. The licence type, sponsor rating, approved visa routes and the employer’s current recruitment activity all determine whether a role is genuinely open to sponsorship.
Employers use the register to demonstrate their licensed status to prospective recruits, but must also maintain compliance to keep their place on the list. Jobseekers benefit from using the register to verify opportunities before applying, avoiding wasted effort on roles that cannot be sponsored. By combining the register with direct employer confirmation and an understanding of visa eligibility requirements, users can make informed, legally sound decisions in the UK’s competitive labour market.
Section G: FAQs
How often is the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors updated?
The Home Office updates the register regularly, often several times a week. Each update reflects new licence grants, suspensions, downgrades, reinstatements and revocations. The update date is shown on the GOV.UK register page and should always be checked before relying on the information.
Does appearing on the register mean an employer is actively recruiting?
No. An employer can hold a sponsor licence without advertising sponsored roles. Some maintain a licence for future hiring needs, internal transfers or seasonal recruitment. Jobseekers should confirm with the employer whether the role is open to visa sponsorship before applying.
Can a company lose its sponsor licence?
Yes. The Home Office can suspend, downgrade or revoke a sponsor licence if the employer fails to meet its compliance duties. Revocation means the employer can no longer sponsor any workers and may affect the immigration status of those it currently sponsors.
What does the sponsor rating mean?
An A-rating means the employer is in full compliance and can assign new Certificates of Sponsorship. A B-rating means the employer is working under a Home Office action plan and cannot assign new CoS until it regains an A-rating.
Are all jobs at a sponsoring company eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
Only roles that meet the visa route’s skill and salary requirements can be sponsored. Some roles may be ineligible even if the employer is licensed.
Section H: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Licence | Permission granted by the Home Office allowing a UK-based organisation to employ or take on non-UK nationals in roles eligible for certain visa routes. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor to a worker, containing a unique reference number needed to apply for a visa. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A visa route that allows overseas nationals to work in the UK in eligible skilled roles that meet minimum salary and skill level requirements. |
| Sponsor Rating | A compliance grade assigned by the Home Office to each sponsor licence holder, either A-rating (full compliance) or B-rating (restricted sponsorship until compliance is restored). |
| Immigration Salary List | A list published by the Home Office detailing shortage occupation roles eligible for lower salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route. |
| Temporary Worker Visa | A visa category for certain short-term work roles, including charity work, creative work, and seasonal work, sponsored by licensed employers. |
Section I: Additional Resources and Links
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| UK Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers | The official Home Office list of all UK organisations licensed to sponsor workers, including Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker categories. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers |
| Home Office Guidance: Workers and Temporary Workers – Guidance for Sponsors | Full guidance for employers on how to apply for and maintain a sponsor licence, including compliance duties and enforcement powers. | https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-immigration-documents-for-employers-and-educators |
| Skilled Worker Visa: Overview and Eligibility | Official GOV.UK page explaining the Skilled Worker visa route, eligibility criteria, application process, and associated costs. | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa |
| Immigration Salary List | The current Home Office list of shortage occupation roles eligible for lower salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route. | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/shortage-occupations |
| Temporary Worker Visa Routes | Guidance on short-term visa routes such as Charity Worker, Creative Worker, and Seasonal Worker visas, and their sponsorship rules. | https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas |
| Sponsorship Management System (SMS) Guide | Home Office guide for licensed sponsors on how to manage their licence and fulfil reporting duties using the SMS portal. | https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-information-for-employers-and-educators |
| Global Business Mobility Visa Information | Details of the Global Business Mobility visa routes, covering overseas business expansion, secondments, and senior specialist transfers. | https://www.gov.uk/global-business-mobility-visa |
| Scale-up Visa Guide | Information for fast-growing UK businesses that need to employ skilled workers from outside the UK under the Scale-up visa. | https://www.gov.uk/scale-up-visa |
