What happened to the Tier 2 Sponsor List?
On 1 December 2020, the UK government introduced a new points-based immigration system. As part of this change, the Tier 2 (General) visa route was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa route.
Consequently, the "Tier 2 Sponsor List" is now officially known as the Register of Licensed Sponsors: Workers and Temporary Workers, maintained by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Although the name has changed, the function remains the same: it is the official UKVI sponsorship list of UK organisations licensed to sponsor foreign workers.
UKVI Official Sponsorship List
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the branch of the Home Office that handles immigration, maintains the official Register of Licensed Sponsors. This is commonly referred to as the "UKVI sponsorship list" or "UKVI approved sponsors list".
The UKVI sponsor register includes every company, charity, NHS trust, and public body that is licensed to sponsor foreign workers on:
- Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General)
- Health and Care Worker visa
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Temporary Worker visas (formerly Tier 5)
As of April 2026, the UKVI sponsorship list contains over 125,386 licensed sponsors. You can search the complete UKVI register using our sponsor directory or sponsor licence checker.
Key Changes: Tier 2 vs Skilled Worker
- Restricted to RQF Level 6 (Degree level)
- Annual cap on numbers
- Strict Resident Labour Market Test
- Open to RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent)
- No annual cap on numbers
- No Resident Labour Market Test required
How to Check if a Company Can Sponsor You
If you fit the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2), you need a job offer from an approved sponsor. A company must hold a valid sponsor licence to issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
You can use our Sponsorship Checker Tool to verify a company's status instantly.
Understanding the Ratings
- Type: Most private companies will have a "Worker" licence (formerly Tier 2 General).
- Rating: Look for A-rated sponsors. This means they are fully compliant and can issue Certificates of Sponsorship. B-rated sponsors are under scrutiny and cannot issue new certificates.
UK Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship Companies — Full List
If you’re searching for UK tier 2 visa sponsorship companies, you’re looking for employers that held Tier 2 General licences and have now transitioned to the Skilled Worker sponsor licence. These companies span every major industry sector:
| Industry Sector | Common Tier 2 Roles | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Technology & IT | Software Engineers, Data Scientists, DevOps | View → |
| Healthcare & NHS | Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals | View → |
| Finance & Insurance | Accountants, Analysts, Actuaries | View → |
| Social Care / Care Homes | Care Workers, Support Workers, Care Managers | View → |
| Education | Teachers, Lecturers, Researchers | View → |
| Hospitality | Chefs, Hotel Managers, Restaurant Managers | View → |
All companies listed above that previously held Tier 2 General licences have automatically transitioned to the new Skilled Worker licence type. You can search the complete list of 125,386+ sponsors using our sponsor directory or sponsor licence checker.
Browse Sponsors by Category
You can filter the complete list of 125,386 sponsors by location or industry to find opportunities relevant to you.