If I get a job offer with sponsorship support, how does that work in UK?
A UK sponsorship offer means your employer holds a Sponsor Licence and issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship for the Skilled Worker visa. You apply online with it, pay the visa fee plus health surcharge, and after 5 years of continuous residence you can seek Indefinite Leave to Remain.
When a UK employer offers you sponsorship, they are committing to a legal process regulated by the Home Office, not just a verbal promise. Your role must meet the salary and occupation criteria, and once you accept, your employer issues you a digital Certificate of Sponsorship to start your Skilled Worker visa application.
The UK Sponsorship Process Step By Step
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Employer prerequisites | Employer must hold a Sponsor Licence and offer a role meeting the salary threshold, typically around £38,700 a year |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | Employer issues a digital CoS with a unique reference number once you accept |
| Visa application | You apply online with your CoS, passport, and English proof, and pay the fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Financial proof | You generally need at least £1,270 in savings unless your employer certifies your costs are covered on the CoS |
What Happens After You Arrive
- Your Skilled Worker visa ties you to that specific employer and role.
- To change jobs later, your new employer must also sponsor you and issue a fresh CoS.
- After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
My Advice
Ask your prospective employer to confirm their Sponsor Licence status and share your CoS reference number in writing before you resign from any current role, and bring the offer letter to your counsellor so we can check the salary threshold and visa costs match what you are budgeting for.
Will you actually get a job after your UK master's?
Talk to a counsellor about real outcomes, salaries and which courses employers hire from.
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