Last updated: 11 August 2026
Turn the Sponsor List Into a Shortlist
Move from a broad list of licensed companies to the exact employer groups most likely to match your role and location.
How Many Companies Can Sponsor a Work Visa in the UK?
As of August 2026, there are 126,870 companies that can sponsor a visa in the UK. This number changes daily as new companies are granted sponsor licences and others have theirs revoked or suspended.
These companies range from small independent businesses to major multinational corporations, NHS trusts, universities, and charities. Every organisation on this list has been approved by the Home Office and holds an active sponsor licence, which gives them legal permission to employ foreign workers.
Search the Complete List of UK Visa Sponsorship Companies
Find any company instantly. Our database includes every organisation from the official UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors, updated daily.
Quick links: Care Homes • Tech Companies • NHS Trusts • London
List of Companies with Sponsorship Licence by Industry
The list of companies with sponsorship licence spans every major sector of the UK economy. Here's a breakdown of how many licensed sponsors operate in each industry:
List of Companies That Can Sponsor Visa in UK 2025 vs 2026
The list of companies that can sponsor visa in UK 2026 is significantly larger than previous years. The UK government has been granting more sponsor licences to address labour shortages across key sectors, particularly in healthcare, social care, and technology.
Key changes between 2025 and 2026:
- More companies than ever — The register has grown steadily, with new sponsors being added every week as UK businesses seek international talent.
- Care sector growth — The Health and Care Worker visa route has driven a surge in care companies obtaining sponsor licences, making social care one of the fastest-growing sectors for sponsorship.
- Tech sector expansion — Software development remains the largest single industry category, with the UK's tech ecosystem continuing to attract global talent.
- Hospitality recovery — Post-pandemic and post-Brexit, the hospitality sector has significantly increased its sponsorship activity for chefs, hotel managers, and restaurant managers.
Use our Recent Changes tracker to see which companies have been added to the register this week.
How to Use This List to Find Your Sponsor
Having access to the list of companies that can sponsor visa in UK is only the first step. Here's how to turn this data into job offers:
- Search by your industry and city — Don't browse 124,000+ companies randomly. Use our sponsor directory to filter by your field and preferred location.
- Check the company's rating — Always verify a sponsor is A-rated before applying. B-rated sponsors may not be able to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship. Use our checker tool.
- Cross-reference with job boards — Once you have a shortlist of sponsors in your area, search for their vacancies on LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry-specific platforms.
- Send speculative applications — Many sponsors have unadvertised vacancies. A targeted CV sent directly to a licensed sponsor can be highly effective. See our guide to getting sponsored.
- Monitor new sponsors weekly — New companies join the register every week. Being first to apply gives you a competitive advantage. Check our weekly changes log.
Which Companies Are Giving Sponsorship in the UK Right Now?
The types of companies giving sponsorship in the UK span from global corporations to small local businesses. Here are the most active categories:
- NHS Trusts and Healthcare Providers — The single largest group of sponsors. NHS Trusts across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland actively recruit international doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
- Big Four and Major Consultancies — Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG consistently sponsor skilled workers across accounting, consulting, and technology roles.
- Technology Companies — From startups to giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, the UK tech sector is a major sponsor of software engineers, data scientists, and product managers.
- Care Homes and Home Care Providers — Over 3,400 social care companies hold active licences, making care work one of the most accessible routes to UK sponsorship.
- Banks and Financial Services — Barclays, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and hundreds of fintech companies sponsor roles in banking, risk management, and financial analysis.
- Universities and Education — UK universities sponsor academic staff, researchers, and specialist education professionals.
For a detailed breakdown, see our Top Sponsorship Companies UK guide or browse by industry sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a company to sponsor me in the UK?
Search the official Register of Licensed Sponsors, which lists over 126,870 companies with active sponsor licences. Use our free sponsor directory to filter by your industry and city, then cross-reference with job boards to find open positions. You can also send speculative applications to licensed sponsors in your field.
Which companies are giving sponsorship in the UK?
Over 126,870 companies are currently giving sponsorship in the UK, including NHS trusts, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, Barclays, and thousands of small and medium businesses. The largest sectors for sponsorship are technology, healthcare, social care, hospitality, and finance.
What are the top 10 sponsorship companies in the UK?
The top sponsorship companies in the UK include NHS Trusts (the largest sponsor overall), Deloitte, PwC, Barclays, Amazon UK, HSBC, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Microsoft UK, and KPMG. These organisations consistently sponsor the most Skilled Worker visas each year.
How can I find companies to sponsor me?
To find companies to sponsor you: (1) Use our sponsor directory to search by industry and city, (2) Verify each company's licence status with our free checker tool, (3) Look for their job vacancies on LinkedIn and Indeed, (4) Send targeted speculative applications to A-rated sponsors in your field.
Is the list of UK visa sponsors free to access?
Yes. The official Register of Licensed Sponsors is a public database published by the UK government. You can search it for free using our tool, or download the raw CSV file directly from GOV.UK. There is no charge to access sponsor licence information.
How often is the list of sponsorship companies updated?
Our database is updated daily from the official GOV.UK Register of Licensed Sponsors. UKVI publishes updates multiple times per month as new licences are granted and existing ones are revoked. Using our tool ensures you always have the most current data.